Our Mission
We are a center for experiential education, rooted in the Gospels, encouraging the transformation of human consciousness through contemplation, and equipping people to be instruments of peaceful change in the world.
Fifth Initiation Rite for Men (FIRMing)
A three-day event designed for men who have experienced the Rites of Passage and who have participated in the follow-up process (Journey of Illumination). FIRMing is an intensive event containing solitude, ritual, and other experientials. FIRMings will be scheduled in different regional locations and require an application and acceptance process.
In most Catholic literature, confirmation was described in warrior imagery as being signed as a "Soldier of Christ". We, of course, would like to be "confirmed" as Warriors, but also as Lovers, Wise Men, and Kings.
FIRMing means strengthening, firming, confirmation and as always, we would like to build again upon the older spiritual Tradition. Baptism and Confirmation were originally one sacrament, but they were gradually divided into two time separated rituals when the church saw the need for a free, conscious, and adult choice of one's infant baptism.
We now see the very same need in relation to our Men's Rite of Passage, and would like to begin to offer a powerful ritual for all initiated men. This will now provide us with a year long follow-up following one's MROP and leading to FIRMing a year later.
The ritual, will be a very serious and choiceful three-day event, that will involve preparatory work and study, fasting and silence on site, and a minimum five hour repeat of our sacred circle from our first days of initiation.
FIRMing Preparation
The FIRMing is the next step on the M.A.L.Es journey. This process is always open for enrollment, but the journey can take from 8 months to 3 years depending on the individual. A signed covenant is required before the start of this journey.
The follow-up work you do is essential to the confirmation of your MROP initiation. Like an MROP, during the 3-day FIRMing ritual there will be no partial attendance. Unlike an MROP, you may repeat the FIRMing as long as you go through the 8-12 month process followed by a FIRMing ritual. A FIRMing process will commence immediately following the annual MROP, open to the new initiates and all initiated men, and culminate in a FIRMing ritual 12 months later.
Although a self-guided process, the FIRMing curriculum is not intended to be done alone. It is a WE process with emphasis on a Home Group conference meeting/call every quarter and clear contact made with a sponsor/mentor half way through along with regular communication with a Soul Brother. These will provide a measure of accountability to be doing what we said we would do.
The FIRMing Experience by Kevin Anderson for more information.
