What the Men's Group Is and How It Works

Fr. Solomon Longo · May 21, 2026 · reflection

Each meeting involves prayers followed by reflection on a short practical quote from a saint and a time open to mutually benefit one another by describing ways in which we've found "traction" in life, work, family, character development, faith, mindset, and so on, and also describing "dead ends" where we've recognized unhelpful paths and perspectives we've taken.

The usual structure of men's group is the Prayer Rule of St. Pachomius with prostrations, followed by a reflection by me (or someone else sometimes), and then we talk about three things: 1. Things that we've had to be thankful for in the prior weeks (we want to get good at noticing what there is to be thankful for), 2. the things that we've improved on in life, relationship, character, etc., and 3. the things in regard to which we're just idling at a dead end and need to improve or rethink.

This isn't a time for commenting on one another's problems (though you can talk privately after if you want). I know I've found it to be an encouraging event that makes me want to improve myself.