Masonic Elite and the schools of the Lodge Sete de Setembro in the magazine A Maçonaria no Estado de São Paulo (1912-1932)

Abstract

This article explores the elitist character of Freemasonry, emphasizing the place of education in its ideology and practice as a strategy of social distinction and accumulation of capital for internal use. Taking as a category of analysis the notion of elite, it elaborates a prosopography of Freemason exponents between 1912 and 1932, pointing out the nature and volume of capitals that make up a common profile, and examines, in the light of Bourdieu's sociology, the proposal and experience of the schools of the Lodge Sete de Setembro, destined to the poor children, children of workers and foreigners. The biographical data and the information about the school comes from the publication A Maçonaria no Estado de São Paulo (1912-1932). It is concluded that the highest positions in the Masonic hierarchy are occupied by holders of significant economic, social and political capitals, indicating homology and reconversions among the fields; that the commitment to the instruction of the subaltern classes responded to philanthropic requirements of the group, reverting in prestige and distinction to individual promoters and to Freemasonry itself.