About Fraternus
Fraternus is a Catholic brotherhood and apostolate dedicated to strengthening fathers and mentoring sons into virtuous Catholic manhood. Founded in 2007 by Justin Biance, it describes itself as 'the largest, oldest, and most effective Catholic brotherhood of its kind,' operating through local parish-based Chapters, smaller Men's Squads, and signature formation experiences. Its work centers on a framework of prayer, mentoring, and formation, with rites of passage, outdoor adventures, and a serious Catholic foundation aimed at addressing the crisis of fatherlessness.
Mission
Our mission is clear: to raise up men who, as fathers, will restore communities. This is our work. This is our purpose.
- Founded
- 2007
- Founder
- Justin Biance
- Leader
- Justin Biance (Founder); Jason Craig (Director of Operations); an Executive Director is referenced on the About page
- Reach
- Over 2,000 Catholic men in annual membership; ~30 parishes with active Chapters as of 2018; chapters across the United States (and membership available in the U.S. and Canada); Nashville, Tennessee alone has had chapters in five parishes
- Serves
- Catholic fathers, their sons, and men of all ages — including fatherless boys and adult men — who want to grow in virtue, authentic manhood, and brotherhood
About Fraternus: Brotherhood, Not a Program
Fraternus describes itself as 'a brotherhood that brings men of all ages together in a powerful, purposeful journey of transformation.' Through a framework of prayer, mentoring, and formation, it challenges fathers to live as brothers, become the men they are called to be, and initiate the next generation into authentic manhood. The organization is quick to distinguish itself: it is not a youth group, not a men's group, and not a passive program — it is an active, shared brotherhood rooted in baptismal identity. The mission statement on the About page is direct: 'to raise up men who, as fathers, will restore communities. This is our work. This is our purpose.' Fraternus presents itself as standing 'with boldness and compassion… as the steady, relentless voice defending the dignity of fatherhood, the necessity of fatherly leadership, and the hope of restoring stable households.'
- Tagline: 'Strengthening Fathers • Mentoring Sons'
- Self-description: 'the largest, oldest, and most effective Catholic brotherhood of its kind'
- Framework: prayer, mentoring, formation
- Rites of passage, outdoor adventures, and Catholic foundation
- Addresses men and boys 'including the fatherless'
History and Founding Story
Justin Biance founded Fraternus in 2007 out of his own experience of growing up without a father at home. As he explains on the About page: 'I was mentored by the world and my friends. That experience was reversed in college when virtuous fathers and brothers challenged me into manhood. This contrast is what inspired the vision of Fraternus.' He wanted young men everywhere to experience authentic brotherhood and mentorship instead of the void of fatherlessness. Jason Craig joined Biance in 2008 to assemble and edit the curriculums used in Fraternus, and he articulated the Fraternus vision in the book Leaving Boyhood Behind, which is widely read in seminaries, schools, and households. Although Fraternus began as an apostolate for boys, it quickly became clear that the adult men had to address their own disorders and bring their spiritual lives and homes in order before they could effectively form the next generation. That shift made Fraternus a brotherhood for all generations of men, not just one.
- 2007 — Fraternus founded by Justin Biance
- 2008 — Jason Craig joins to build curriculum
- Leaving Boyhood Behind book articulates the Fraternus vision
- Pivot from boys-only apostolate to multigenerational brotherhood
Leadership Team
The About page introduces an Executive Director alongside the founder and Director of Operations. Justin Biance is identified as Founder, and Jason Craig is identified as Director of Operations. The leadership team oversees Fraternus's national staff, formation materials, and the network of Chapters, Squads, Ranch experiences, and St. Joseph's Farm.
- Justin Biance — Founder
- Jason Craig — Director of Operations
- Executive Director (named on About page)
Local Fraternus Chapters
Local Chapters are described as 'the heart of Fraternus.' Fathers, sons, and men of all ages gather weekly for Frat Nights, a two-hour time of formation, challenge, and camaraderie. Boys 11 and older are typically invited to join once a Chapter is established. Throughout the year, brothers step beyond the weekly gathering into Excursions — overnight outdoor experiences with other Chapters that build grit, brotherhood, and faith. A Chapter typically begins when seven men agree to start the brotherhood and secure their pastor's approval; an experienced volunteer called a 'sage' guides the new group. The year culminates at Fraternus Ranch, a week-long immersion in adventure and prayer that forges bonds meant to last a lifetime.
- Weekly Frat Nights (2 hours of formation, challenge, camaraderie)
- Excursions — overnight outdoor experiences between Chapters
- Annual Fraternus Ranch — week-long immersion
- Launch requirement: 7 men + pastor's approval + assigned sage
- Boys 11+ invited once a Chapter is established
Rites of Passage, Ranks, and Knighthood
Fraternus gives participants recognized ranks of advancement. For boys these progress through Ranger, Warrior, Disciple, and Senior Brother, culminating in Knighthood and the reception of a sword when a boy reaches high school. Adult parish leaders are called Commanders; their assistants are Captains. For men who seek the full depth of Fraternus, the path of Knighthood awaits. It is not a title but a rite of passage: through rigorous prayer, fasting, and shared brotherhood, men prepare together, and the journey culminates in a pilgrimage to a sacred place where candidates make a final commitment.
- Boy ranks: Ranger → Warrior → Disciple → Senior Brother → Knight
- Knighthood marked by reception of a sword
- Adult leaders: Commanders and Captains
- Knighthood includes pilgrimage to a sacred place
Men's Squads and College Squads
Men's Squads are a flexible entry point into Fraternus and the recommended first step before starting a Chapter. They are small, agile groups ideal for conversations and building bonds appropriate for adult men and their concerns — 'everything you and 2+ other fathers need to chart a path to manhood for your sons.' College Squads extend the model to university-aged Catholic men.
- Small groups of adult men
- Recommended first step before starting a Chapter
- College Squads for university-aged men
The Ways of the Fathers Curriculum
The Ways of the Fathers is a six-week on-boarding series that presents the Fraternus ethos and is described as 'provocative, inspiring, and challenging.' Each week targets one of the Seven Deadly Sins by training its opposing virtue: Humility vs. Pride, Generosity vs. Greed, Chastity vs. Lust, Patience vs. Wrath, Temperance vs. Gluttony, Kindness vs. Envy, and Diligence vs. Sloth. What sets the curriculum apart, Fraternus says, is its integration of the four temperaments. Each week shows how vice manifests differently depending on whether a man is Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, or Phlegmatic — 'Pride does not look the same in a driven man as it does in a passive one.'
- Six-week introduction to rites of passage
- Seven Deadly Sins and their opposing virtues
- Temperament framework: Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, Phlegmatic
- Recommended entry point for new groups
Fraternus Ranch and St. Joseph's Farm
Fraternus Ranch is described as 'more than just a retreat — it's a transformative experience for fathers, sons, and priests.' Set in an outdoor environment of adventure and challenge, the Ranch builds deep bonds among participants while leading them to greater spiritual growth. It has historically been held at an east Tennessee ranch, with activities including whitewater rafting and horseback riding. St. Joseph's Farm offers a unique educational experience where fathers and sons learn traditional husbandry, craft, and culture, with a focus on building productive households and helping men and families reconnect with reality and the natural world.
- Fraternus Ranch: week-long adventure + prayer immersion
- Historically held at an east Tennessee ranch
- Whitewater rafting, horseback riding, outdoor challenge
- St. Joseph's Farm: husbandry, craft, culture
Sword & Spade Magazine
Sword & Spade is Fraternus's flagship quarterly magazine. It is described as encouraging men 'to step away from the digital noise and dive into intellectual, yet accessible, discussions about virtue, culture, and living well in the modern world.' Members receive a one-year print subscription.
- Quarterly flagship magazine
- Topics: virtue, culture, living well
- One-year print subscription included with membership
Membership and Getting Involved
For years, the only way to join Fraternus was through a Chapter, but now any Catholic man can take up the mantle via an Annual Fraternus Membership at $120/year (equivalent to $10/month, billed annually), available in the U.S. and Canada. The membership advertises over 2,000 Catholic men already living the Fraternus way of life. Members receive The Ways of the Fathers (6-week on-boarding series), The Fraternus Book, weekly formation content, invitation to the National Fraternus Ranch and local Excursions, ceremonies recognizing Chapter progress, the ability to pursue Knighthood, mentoring opportunities, a Catholic setting for sons, and a one-year Sword & Spade subscription.
- Annual Membership: $120/yr (US and Canada)
- Over 2,000 Catholic men in membership community
- Includes Ways of the Fathers, Fraternus Book, weekly content
- Includes Ranch invitations and Excursions
- Includes one-year Sword & Spade print subscription
Vocations Side-Effect and Broader Impact
Although Fraternus is not a vocations program, one frequently cited outcome is that young men, after maturing in their faith through Fraternus, have entered seminary. In Nashville, Tennessee, where chapters exist in five parishes, a dozen young men from those chapters entered seminary — an example of how Fraternus's brotherhood and formation culture has rippled into priestly vocations.
- Not formally a vocations program
- Nashville example: 12 young men from Fraternus chapters entered seminary
- Forming boys and fathers as a path to stronger parishes and households