Men's Rites of Passage (MROP)
The Cosmic Importance of Male Initiation
The Men’s Rite of Passage (MROP) is primarily designed for men in second-half of life (ages 30 – 65) and is a five-day / four night, deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. Each day includes participating in group prayer, major teachings on central masculine spirituality themes, quiet time for reflection, and sharing in the context of a home group.
What is the Rites of Passage?
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The Men’s Rites of Passage is not just another Catholic/Christian men’s retreat, but five days of formal male initiation. These teachings on the “mysteries” and the accompanying rituals of Passover have been met with a very strong response in recent years. Over 5,000 men have now been initiated through these rites of male initiation over the past 20 years.
Unfortunately, the proven way to lead males on this journey has been lost to the West for a thousand years. Franciscan priest Fr. Richard Rohr has reclaimed the ancient patterns of rites of passage and designed a modern day retreat for welcoming men into the male spiritual community. Fr. Richard’s work in this area addresses the reality that if men are not led through an inner journey of powerlessness, they will inevitably misunderstand and abuse power. Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, (the creator of the MROP) and MALEs have trained teams of men in many parts of the world to do the same.
The Rites of Passage are best for those who have already done some men’s work and who are on a serious spiritual journey. It is best to make this experience as a lone seeker. Fathers and sons are normally not initiated together, nor is it a buddy experience. You may come with friends, but expect to be assigned to a home group where you will be anonymous and start from zero together.
WHAT THE MROP IS...
A personal discovery about masculine spirituality and ‘the Holy Mystery.’
A time to savor the healing and awesome power of nature.
A process to address issues of loss, grief, and relationships with our father, other men, and others.
An opportunity to examine life’s priorities and ask courageous questions about your ‘next step.’
An invitation to listen to the ‘quiet voice of God.’
A chance to return to life with a renewed commitment to your gifts.
WHAT THE MROP IS NOT...
A traditional lecture-based retreat.
An informational workshop about men’s spirituality.
A sensitivity training or deprivation experience.
A threatening process that requires participants to engage in anything strange or unsafe.
A test of physical stamina.
Why This Work is So Important
“Men almost never talk to other men about feelings because doing so means unlearning a lifetime of defensive and aggressive posturing—the silent sizing up of the other, the camouflaging of spirit and soul bequeathed to us by generations of men who went to work and went to war and didn’t want to talk about it, thank you very much. For me and for so many others, to be a man among men meant to talk around things and keep my guard up; to carry the unique weight of manhood in mighty silence. Men are God’s loneliest creatures. Sure we have friends: our racquet ball partner, our poker buddies, our bar, our board room. But they’re not like the deep, whole friendships that women seem to cultivate with ease. Our friendships with other men tend to be limited; intense in one area—sports, business, politics—and silent about most others. It’s no wonder I never thought of other men as people. How can we ever know each other, how can we ever be understood, in silence?”
What Men Are Saying About the Men’s Rites of Passage
