The Society of Blue Friars (SBF) is a Masonic organization established in 1932 with the explicit purpose of recognizing Masonic authors. It is widely regarded as one of the smallest and most distinctive appendant bodies within Freemasonry.
The core of the organization consists of three officers:
The Grand Abbot has the authority to appoint new Friars, and their decisions are final. Additionally, only the Grand Abbot has the power to change the Society's regulations. The term "Abbot" and "Friar" were deliberately chosen to hark back to monastic traditions of the Middle Ages when monks wrote many of the books of their time.
The following living authors and researchers have been recognized as Friars as of 2026:
Arturo de Hoyos, the Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars, is a one of the most prolific Masonic scholars of the past century, having written, edited and/or translated more than 60 works. He serves as the Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council, 33ð, S.J., the largest Masonic organization in the world. Since 1994 he has served as the Grand Archivist of the Grand College of Rites, USA, a Masonic organization dedicated to the preservation study of ritual. He has an international reputation as a scholar in the history, ritual, symbolism and philosophy of Freemasonry. His 1200-page book <I>The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide</I> is the official guide to the rituals of the Southern Jurisdiction, the creators of the Scottish Rite. His book <I>Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition</I> is considered a gold-standard of academic research, and includes over 4000 critical notes and hundred of references. He was the first person to receive both the Albert G. Mackey Masonic Scholarship Award and the Albert G. Mackey Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scottish Rite Research Society. He is arguably the best all-around Masonic scholar living, since he expertise is recognized in virtually every field of Freemasonry. Thus, he serves as a special consultant to numerous Masonic organizations, and lectures worldwide. In 2000 de Hoyos was one of three people invited to the Vatican by high officials of the Roman Catholic Church, to discuss Freemasonry. Like Hammil, Morris, Tabbert, Kendall and Bermann, de Hoyos, is also a full member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076, London, the premiere Lodge of Masonic Research.
Christopher L. Hodapp is a well-known Masonic author and researcher. He gained recognition as Friar #101 in the Society of Blue Friars in 2012. Hodapp is the creator of the widely read "Freemasons For Dummies" blog, established in 2006, which is a significant source of current international news about the Masonic fraternity.
In 2019, Christopher L. Hodapp was named Worshipful Master of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research in Indiana.
Alain Bernheim, an esteemed Freemason since 1963, held memberships in the Regular Grand Loge of Belgium and the Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland. He was also awarded the 33ð by the Supreme Council of the United States (Southern Jurisdiction) and was elected a Chapter Knight of the Great Priory of Belgium. Furthermore, he was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. Notably, he became the first French Freemason to be elected as a full member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 under the United Grand Lodge of England. The Supreme Council of France recognized him as a Member of Honour in 2014 and awarded him the distinction of Grand Commander Honoris Causa in 2018.
Alain Bernheim was awarded the Norman Spencer Award by the premier Lodge of Research, Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, in 1986 and 1993. He also received the Certificate of Literature from the Philalethes Society (US) in 1997. In 2001, he was honored with the Albert Gallatin Mackey Scholar Award by the Scottish Rite Research Society (Washington, D.C.), which also elected him as a Fellow. In 2007, he was selected as a member of the Society of Blue Friars.