Prayer, asceticism and fraternity the path to spiritual growth

By Veronika Cox

A group of Hobart men have committed to deep spiritual growth in the lead up to Easter this year.

Fraternity leader and participant Duncan MacFarlane said as Lent began, the four men from the Kingston-Channel parish were already more than 40 days into their Exodus 90 experience.

“The value in the exercise is to make space in my life for the Lord, to deepen my relationship with Him and to grow closer to the blokes with whom we are journeying together,” he said.

“We are looking forward to Lent and Easter at the end of this Exodus 90. You can start the exercise at any time, but it is beautiful when it aligns with the Church calendar.”

Exodus 90 is a 90-day spiritual exercise for men, revolving around the three pillars of Prayer, Asceticism and Fraternity.

“The prayer is based on a thorough reading of the book of Exodus and how it relates to our life as men and how we can grow closer to the Lord by letting go of attachments to things of the world, and turning again to Christ,” he said. 

“The asceticisms allow us to detach from the things that keep us from God and the fraternal nature of the exercise allows us to be both accountable and supported by a group of men who are walking the same path.”

Asceticisms include the practice of regular, intense exercise, intermittent days of fasting, abstinence from sweets and snacks and the avoidance of non-essential material purchases.

Every morning, each member of the fraternity is led by readings from the book of Exodus, paired with daily reflections.

“It is a fantastic exercise, and I would encourage all men of faith to consider participating,” Mr MacFarlane said.

“I must stress that it’s not about being nice and warm and cuddly, but being held accountable as a group, by the group, to participate fully. At a glance, some of the asceticisms might deter people, but the rewards are many.”

Exodus founder James Baxter said while men joined for different reasons, there was a common thread.

“Most men are deeply motivated to become better husbands for their wives and fathers for their children or priests for the Church, so desperately in need of renewal,” he said.

Exodus also offers a 40-day program called Exodus Lent, specifically designed for the Lenten period.