The Ways of the Fathers

“He will turn the heart of fathers to their sons, and the heart of sons to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction” (Malachi 4:6).

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 boyishness and isolation.

Starts 3-11-25 every other Tuesday for 6 weeks! 10 men have been Chosen. Pray for us!

What’s inside:

• 6-week presentation on six key principles

• MP3 audio download

• Guides and tools to help you and your group take the truths presented and solve the actual problems you face.

• Pilgrimage guide for fathers and sons.

• Guide to creating a rite of passage.

  PS - Each week also contains some “bonus” materials for further study, and if you are a reader or want to go deeper into the theology and philosophy behind The Ways of the Fathers, the chapters from Leaving Boyhood Behind (2nd edition) will be identified as well. WHO IS JASON CRAIG BIOI CLICK HERE -EWTN VIDEO

You’ve started down The Ways of the Fathers.  You have made the right choice because very few men are taking their roles seriously and we’re all paying the price. 

In their defense, many fathers don’t really know what exactly is expected of them.  

Good men - good fathers - don’t just give their children what they need like giving gas and oil to a car.  They show them the way to life by walking it with them - perhaps just a little ahead.  Thus, the first Christians, when trying to walk with Christ toward the Father, called their faith “the way” (Acts 9:2).

But following a “way” is almost impossible when alone.  Following Jesus’ clear command, the early Church only sent missionaries out in pairs.  This is why St. Paul enjoined on new Christians to join together as brothers in imitating the ways he taught them (Phil. 3:17).  They wouldn’t make it alone.  From St. Paul to St. Benedict to Bl. Pierre Giorgio, manly faith is lived as a way of life with others.  As that was passed on, it became father - Desert Fathers, Church Fathers, Monastic Fathers, etc.  Different fathers give us a way to follow, and these ways are sure.  

This is the simple reason that this is called The Ways of the Fathers.  There are universal truths applied in different ways according to different needs (ways), and this tradition will be held and communicated by men with character and authority who are willing to meet the challenges and lead in their vocations (fathers).  St. Paul was a father in a way different from St. Benedict, and your fatherhood is different too - but all of us living as men within our Sacred Tradition are called to fulfill our task of bringing life to maturity.

The Ways of the Fathers isn’t going to tell you exactly what to or what to say, but it is going to tell you what must be done and what must be said.  How it takes shape in your real life depends a lot on you and your local bonds. 

Each week will unlock a new section of content.  That content includes a video with a written summary and the following sections:

A section called “What you must know.”  As your body hungers for food your soul has an appetite for knowledge.  When it comes to The Ways of the Fathers, much of this means knowing one another and the story you’re coming from.  This section each week is not just sharing opinions, but about learning the stories and experiences that made us.  This is crucial when recognizing that we are meant to receive instruction as sons and pass it on as fathers.  This will help you understand where other people are coming from, what they are made of, and how/why you can trust one another.  

After that comes the “What you must do” section.  We men can get too lazy or too busy to do some very important things, so this step of The Ways of the Fathers helps us take some necessary action.  Some of this might seem inconsequential, but it is critical that you do it.  Don’t excuse yourself or dismiss the need to take action.  

The content unlocks as you complete it, but make sure to go through it weekly in tandem with your brothers.  

In between you will receive wisdom from three fatherly sources: from the Father (a reading from Sacred Scripture relating to the step on the way), from the Fathers (a reading from the saints and other fathers in faith), and a father (a real life story of a man wrestling with these very things).  Don’t skip this reading.  It is short and will help you see that our challenges as men - from bachelors to dads to clergy - really hinge on stepping into The Ways of the Fathers, of men giving life in a tradition of stable and dependable community. 

If you are going through The Ways of the Fathers with others, you can decide amongst yourselves if you are going to watch the video content together and then discuss the materials or watch it separately and then come together for fraternal conversation.  Either way, don’t skip getting together.  It's for six weeks and you can do it.  Ask your host about the details. 

Thank you for walking The Ways of the Fathers.

PS - Each week also contains some “bonus” materials for further study, and if you are a reader or want to go deeper into the theology and philosophy behind The Ways of the Fathers, the chapters from Leaving Boyhood Behind (2nd edition) will be identified as well.