Ethan Walker
Starting a Catholic men's group can be a simple process. The first step is to find at least one other person to start the group with you. The next step is to decide on a meeting place and time. Meetings can be held at a pub, a church, or a meeting room. Groups can meet once or twice a month, or even daily. It is also important to decide on the purpose of the group. Catholic men's groups can be a place to discuss the Catholic faith, pray, and build a fraternity. It is important to be flexible and let the needs and desires of the group guide the direction of the meetings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | Two men are enough to start a group, and more will eventually join. |
| Frequency of meetings | Groups can meet once or twice a month, or once a week. |
| Meeting place | Meetings can be held at a pub, or at a church or in a meeting room. |
| Activities | Meetings can include prayer, giving thanks, asking for the intercession of patron saints, praying for one another, socialising, discussing, learning, supporting one another, reading scripture, developing a prayer life, and going to Mass and parish events together. |
| Purpose | Catholic men's groups can help men to grow in faith, support one another, and learn from one another. |
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What You'll Learn
Keep it simple: meet, pray, eat
When starting a Catholic men's group, it's important to keep in mind that it doesn't have to be complicated. A simple structure of "meet, pray, eat" can be very effective and enjoyable for all involved.
Firstly, decide on a suitable location and time for your meetings. This could be a pub, a microbrewery, a coffee shop, or someone's home—somewhere comfortable with enough space to talk and, preferably, to smoke. Meetings should be held consistently, either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what works best for the group. It's important to be mindful of the group size as well; a smaller group of around 3 to 12 men can foster a sense of familiarity and encourage deeper connections.
Once you've established the basics, the meetings themselves can follow a simple structure. Begin each gathering with a prayer, giving thanks and asking for petitions. This sets the tone and brings everyone together in a spiritual context. After the opening prayer, the group can engage in discussions about scripture, applying it to their lives and sharing their thoughts and experiences. This is a crucial aspect of fellowship, where men can support and learn from one another. Meetings should ideally last between one to one-and-a-half hours—enough time for meaningful conversation without feeling rushed or dragging on.
Finally, sharing a meal together is a wonderful way to conclude the gathering. Whether it's breakfast after daily Mass or a casual get-together at a pub, eating together provides an opportunity for the group to socialize and strengthen their bonds of friendship. It's a simple yet powerful way to build community and create a supportive environment for Catholic men to grow in their faith and support each other's spiritual journeys.
Remember, the most important part is taking that first step and starting the group. Don't overcomplicate it—just meet, pray, and eat!
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Start with a small group
Starting a Catholic men's group doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, two men are enough to start a group, and more will eventually join. It's important to keep in mind that the group should be centred within the parish and made up of parishioners, as forming social and spiritual bonds is easier when you see each other regularly at Mass and parish events.
A good starting formula is to meet for daily Mass, pray the Rosary together, and then go to breakfast together. If you're eating in a public place, make sure to say the blessing together—it's a great sign to others and a way to recruit new members. You can also pray the Liturgy of the Hours together, which is what monks pray and is also called the Divine Office. If it's morning, pray "Matins" together, and if it's evening, pray "Vespers." There's even a great free phone app called Laudate that can help guide you if you're uncomfortable leading these prayers.
Another idea is to follow a solid instructional programme like Bishop Baron's 'Catholicism', followed by drinks and discussion. This will support your group's spiritual accountability in regularly attending the sacraments and Eucharistic Adoration, reading scripture, and developing a strong prayer life.
Remember, the purpose of a Catholic men's group is to fellowship with other good Catholic men to raise each other up, support one another, and learn from one another.
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Meet in a pub, not a church
Meeting in a pub, not a church, can be a great way to start a Catholic men's group. This approach can help to create a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for discussion and fellowship. It removes the formality of meeting in a church setting and can encourage more open and honest conversation.
The pub setting can also be a way to pay homage to the great Catholic writers and thinkers of the past, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and their group, the Inklings, who met at The Eagle and Child pub in Oxford. They enjoyed intelligent and comfortable conversations about their faith, and this can be a great model for a Catholic men's group. Meeting in a pub can also be a way to connect with a more traditional idea of masculinity, as discussed by America Magazine, where men can come together in a spirit of servant leadership, modelling Christ-like values of humility and sacrifice.
Meeting in a pub can also be a way to attract men who may not typically engage with a church group. It can be a more accessible and less intimidating environment, especially for those who may be exploring their faith or returning to the Church. It is a way to reach out to men who may feel disconnected from their faith or community and create a safe space to discuss their beliefs and experiences.
The pub setting can also encourage a more social atmosphere, where men can relax and get to know each other over a pint, creating a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood. This can be a great foundation for building a supportive and uplifting group. It may also be a good way to encourage attendance, as men may be more inclined to attend a social gathering in a pub than a formal meeting in a church setting.
Meeting in a pub can also be practical, especially if the group intends to meet in the evenings or at weekends, as it may be more centrally located and easier to access than a church. It can also provide a ready-made space with minimal set-up required, allowing the group to focus on their discussions and fellowship without the need to worry about logistics.
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Follow a programme like Bishop Barron's 'Catholicism'
Follow a programme like Bishop Barron's Catholicism
Bishop Robert Barron's Catholicism series is a great resource for Catholic men's groups. The series is produced by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, which was founded by Bishop Barron himself. The programme aims to draw people into the body of Christ and give them access to the gifts that Jesus offers. It makes use of contemporary media and innovative communication technologies to explore the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic faith.
The series follows Bishop Barron as he travels to more than 50 locations in 15 countries, exploring Catholic culture, beautiful churches, and biblical locations. The cinematography is breathtaking, providing a rich multimedia experience for viewers. Some of the locations include the sacred lands of Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Spain, Mexico, Kolkata, and New York City.
The Catholicism series also includes in-depth biographies of major figures in the history of the Catholic Church, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis, Michelangelo, and St. Augustine. It explores the mass, helping Catholics understand their call to full and active participation. Additionally, it delves into Jesus' roles as Priest, Prophet, and King, showing how we are all called to embody these roles as well.
By following Bishop Barron's Catholicism series, a Catholic men's group can gain a deeper understanding of the faith and explore its beauty and goodness through the lens of global Catholic culture. The series provides a structured programme that can guide the group's discussions, reflections, and spiritual growth. It offers a contemporary and engaging approach to learning about Catholicism, making it accessible and appealing to modern audiences.
In addition to the Catholicism series, Bishop Barron also offers other programmes and resources through Word on Fire Digital, such as "The Mystery of God", "The Mass", and "Priest, Prophet, King". These resources can provide further opportunities for study, reflection, and spiritual enrichment for the Catholic men's group.
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Be flexible and let the group develop organically
Starting a Catholic men's group doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as meeting for daily Mass, praying the Rosary together, and then going to breakfast together. This is a great way to get to know each other and build a foundation for your group.
As your group grows and develops, it's important to be flexible and allow the group to evolve organically. This means paying attention to the needs and desires of the group members and letting those inform your plans. For example, if your group is particularly interested in exploring Catholic culture and history, you could incorporate elements of travel to beautiful churches and biblical locations. Or, if your group is more focused on spiritual growth and accountability, you might incorporate a structured program like Bishop Baron's 'Catholicism', followed by drinks and discussion.
It's also important to remember that growth is essential for a thriving Catholic men's group. This includes growth in numbers, knowledge, faith, and participation in the Sacraments and parish life. Encourage members to invite others, and make sure your group is welcoming and accepting of all who wish to join.
While structure and programs can be beneficial, it's also crucial to allow for flexibility and organic development. This might mean starting with simple activities like praying the Liturgy of the Hours together or using a free phone app like Laudate to guide your Rosary and Liturgy of the Hours practices. As your group bonds and discovers shared interests, you can explore more structured programs or create your own curriculum based on the interests and needs of your members.
Remember, the goal is to create a fraternity where men can build each other up and grow in their faith. By being flexible and responsive to the needs and interests of your group members, you'll create a dynamic and engaging environment that fosters spiritual growth and meaningful connections.
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Frequently asked questions
All you need to start a Catholic men's group are two men, and you can go from there. You can meet for daily Mass, pray the Rosary together, and then go to breakfast together.
Catholic men's groups are a great way to fellowship with other Catholic men to support one another, learn from one another, and grow in your faith.
You can pray the Liturgy of the Hours together, which is what monks do and is also called the Divine Office. You can also follow instructional programmes like Bishop Baron's 'Catholicism', followed by drinks and discussion.
It's important to start simple and not get overwhelmed. You don't need to meet at the church or follow a study plan. You can begin and end with prayer, giving thanks and praying for one another.
People are more likely to respond to a personal invitation. It's also important to keep the group centred within the parish and made up of parishioners so that it's easier to form social and spiritual bonds.
