THE Ways of the Fathers

Q: Do Fraternus Chapter and Mens Squad members get this free?

Yes! The Ways of the Fathers is the way men are initiated into the Brotherhood and is included as part of membership in a Fraternus Chapter or Fraternus Mens Squad.

Q: How is this different from other men's courses?

This isn’t a men’s course. It is based on Leaving Boyhood Behind, one of the most important books on raising boys in this generation. It will help you lead your sons to becoming mature, virtuous, and competent and in the process draw you fully into your own roles as Father, Son, and Brother.

The Roadmap to Catholic Manhood

The Ways of the Fathers is the only completely Catholic presentation of what a rite of passage is and how we can regain confidence and competence as men and fathers in our modern setting.

Your son needs you to be his father. You can’t lead if you don’t know the way.

Immature, insecure, and isolated men have led us to an age of perpetual adolescence.

Your son doesn’t need another faith formation program. He needs you to be his Father.

In healthy cultures, the men not only communicate what a man is and what’s expected of him, they secure him in this identity by initiating the boy into their brotherhood. They give him a path to manhood that they know themselves.

Programs and sports are limited.

Sports and youth programs can only do so much. They teach and form, but it belongs to fathers to finish the man.

Delegating to others is a cop out.

Expecting your wife or your son’s teachers to form him into a man is foolish. The gift of manhood is yours to give him.

Lecturing often falls on deaf ears.

Lectures and scoldings don’t make men. Do not grow away from your son at a time when you need to grow closer.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

(1 Cor. 13:11)

Chart a different course than what the world offers.

For Fathers and Young Adult Men

Are you a man ready to commit to a different path for yourself and your son? Whether you're a father, a college student, or unmarried and starting your career, The Ways of the Fathers will help you:

Build strong, resilient, confident communities and families.

Keep your faith and build your life and brotherhood around it.

Understand how rite of passage can change how you see your role as a father.

Learn what your local bonds mean in the bigger picture of salvation.

The roadmap to Mature Manhood Through Christ

The Ways of the Fathers is the only completely Catholic presentation of rites of passage for boys and men. The 6-week experience equips men to establish local bonds that put an end to childishness and isolation.

What’s inside:

6-week presentation on six key principles
MP3 audio download
Detailed but not overwhelming weekly guides and tools to help you and your group take the truths presented and solve the problems you face
Rich weekly supplemental content to accompany the course

$35 for lifetime access

The Ways of the Fathers is best experienced when doing it with other men. Consider hosting a Mens Squad which includes access to this program.

Not able to do The Ways of The Fathers with other men, but still want the content?

$35 for lifetime access

access is included when you host a mens squad

Plus a one year print subscription to the Fraternus flagship quarterly magazine, Sword&Spade, weekly meeting guidance, and more.

Learn more about Mens Squads:

Not ready yet?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this for?

For fathers, unmarried men, and those in college wanting to fully mature in preparation for one day having a family or mentoring others.

Do Fraternus Chapter and Mens Squad members get this free?

Yes! The Ways of the Fathers is the way men are initiated into the Brotherhood and is included as part of membership in a Fraternus Chapter or Fraternus Mens Squad.

Can I do this by myself?

Yes, but to fully benefit from the experience, we strongly recommend finding at least one other man to do The Ways of the Fathers with. Form a Fraternus Mens Squad of at least three men to receive the full benefits.

How is this different from other men's courses?

This isn’t a men’s course. It is based on Leaving Boyhood Behind, one of the most important books on raising boys in this generation. It will help you lead your sons to becoming mature, virtuous, and competent and in the process draw you fully into your own roles as Father, Son, and Brother.

“Because as nature intends that all her children should grow up and attain full maturity, so the Catholic Church, the common mother of all, earnestly desires that, in those whom she has regenerated by Baptism, the perfection of Christian manhood be completed."

The Council of Trent