This Month in Viri Mariae - August 2025

This past month, the Carina Chapter of Viri Mariae – Men of Mary gathered once more for our monthly fraternity meeting. The evening’s reflection centered on the virtue of obedience, a virtue often misunderstood, yet foundational to Catholic life.

We spoke about how Catholics are not called to revolt, tear down, or sow discontent — but to rebuild. Obedience, rightly ordered, heals the wound of Adam, who silently turned away from God. In contrast, the saints model for us that holiness often begins with listening: to God, to the Church, to lawful authority. We reflected on the importance of spiritual obedience — not blind submission, but faithful trust in the voice of God expressed through those He places over us. Even in times of civil unrest and corruption, saints like Archbishop Romero demonstrated this path of obedience with courage and clarity.

In our “Sent Forth” section, we turned to the mission of sanctifying the temporal order. The men shared experiences from their workplaces — especially the impact of joy and misery. We recognized that both are contagious, and that we are called to be beacons of joy — not dismissing suffering, but standing as pillars of hope for others. In a world so often tempted by bitterness, our role is to shine with the radiant joy of Christ.

This month’s penitential act is a return to the Morning Offering. We committed to making a conscious effort to begin each day with God — to offer our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings for His glory. A small act, but one that reorders the whole day.

We also discerned three core roles to serve our fraternity’s growth:

Jeremy – The Steward, to coordinate and shepherd the group

Dan – The Fisher, to draw in new men and extend invitations

Jacob – The Keeper, to preserve our prayer, study, and formation

Our meetings are held monthly, but some of the men also gather Friday nights for a more focused study session. At present, a few brothers are working through Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics using the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. The fruit of these discussions has been remarkable — deepening both our intellectual formation and our spiritual brotherhood. Each session is wrapped in prayer, calling upon Christ, Our Lady, and the Dominican saints to guide our minds and hearts.

There is a real and growing unity among the brothers. The bonds being formed are not merely social, but deeply spiritual — rooted in shared purpose, prayer, and mission.

If you are a man seeking fraternity, formation, and the joy of sanctifying the world through Christ and Mary, we invite you to reach out. If you are interested in starting a chapter, we would be glad to walk with you.

Viri Mariae, ora pro nobis.