This past year, 2022, marked ten years since Illuman was first incorporated, birthed out of Richard Rohr’s prior work with MALEs (Men as Learners and Elders) and his Men’s Rites of Passage experiences. As we move into our second decade of existence, we are fanning the flames even higher to assist men in their inner spiritual work of becoming healthier, more authentic human beings. This dream energizes all that Illuman is and does. 

As we look back on this past year, we all have much to celebrate:

• We supported six Men’s Rites of Passage in the US and four international Rites (including a first-ever Latvian MROP!)—the most we’ve ever had in a single year!
  
• Over 260 men converged on New Mexico last month for our annual Soularize: Awaken men’s gathering—our first time together in person since before the pandemic.
  
• Several hundred men participated in our online Watering Hole speaker series, which, this year, included Fr. Jim Clarke on creating rituals, Brian McLaren on coping with religious disillusionment, and Fr. Adam Bucko on engaged contemplation.
  
• Illuman leaders hosted three well-attended rounds of A Father for Generation Alpha, an online cohort for new and expecting fathers.
  
• We launched a new online Passion Circles initiative, allowing men to gather around shared common interests or life experiences.
  
• Local Illuman Chapters hosted numerous local events and programs, including:
  • First Rites of Passage for Middle School boys
  • Young Men’s Rites of Passage for young adults
  • Elder Rites of Passage for men 60+
  • The Elders at the Gate online retreat
  • And many others…
    
• We achieved greater regional collaboration among our local chapters, especially with Illuman of the Pacific Northwest (a collaborative among Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia), and the emerging East Coast Collaborative, spearheaded by IllumanDC, to reach men all the way from Maine to Florida.
  
• Raised over $10,000 to support Ukrainian refugees, responding to a request by Illuman partners in the Czech Republic who are directly receiving and supporting those refugees. 

 

Looking ahead to 2023, we are excited not just for these ongoing programs, but also several new and/or revamped initiatives starting after the New Year:

• Howling at the Moon and Journey into the Deep Masculine Cohorts—year-long intensives for going further along your spiritual journey. 
• 47: Navigating Life’s Middle Passage—a new circle for men facing midlife challenges.
  
• Men’s Weekly Meditations—a regular email series on topics especially relevant to men. 
• Upcoming Men’s Rites of Passage in Southern California, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Ireland. 
• Our annual Soularize/Awaken gathering, which, this year, will be held September 14-17 at Shrine Mont in Virginia. 
• Adding even more online Passion Circles, including ones on Storytelling, as well as a book discussion on Adam Bucko’s Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide (see article below for more). 
• Numerous in-person opportunities to connect with other men through local Chapter events and Council circles. Find one near you.

 

Illuman is committed to supporting your personal Journey of Illumination. Our vision is to make a masculine path to healing available to all men, to remedy the traumatized and toxic versions of masculinity too often found in our present culture. 

If this purpose energizes you as well, we invite you to get involved. Start by participating in one of the programs mentioned above. We also invite you to consider volunteering your time and skills on one of our leadership Councils (email administrator@illuman.org about volunteer opportunities). Finally, your financial support is essential to adequately leverage the thousands of man-hours already put in by our volunteers and staff (click here to donate).

However you choose to engage, we are grateful to have you as part of the Illuman family. May you be blessed in your own spiritual journey this coming year, even as you continue to be a blessing to all of your Illuman brothers.