Founding Story

Justin Biance and Dr. Bob Schuchts were part of men’s ministry at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida. In the fall of 2002, they read the book Wild at Heart which explores the desires of a man’s heart. Then in the spring of 2003, they studied Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. The men identified with the concepts of Wild at Heart and were transformed by the Theology of the Body. During this experience, one comment was made over and over “I wish I had this when I was a teenager”. They desired to pass it along to the next generation of young men but realized that without mentorship and accountability, young men would have a difficult time living the message proposed by Pope John Paul II.

God providently intervened. One Wednesday morning Richard Albertson (the founder of “Live the Life” ministries in Tallahassee) came to speak about a rite-of passage process that he was leading. As founder of an interdenominational ministry for families and youth, Richard was also looking for ways to inspire and assist young men and women to live the gospel. He was accompanied by a recent graduate of the program who gave a moving testimony about how it totally re-directed his life. Listening to both of them describe how adult men passed on their faith to the next generation in an engaging, new way excited all of those who attended that morning. After the meeting Bob pulled Justin aside and said “Wouldn’t this be great in the Catholic Church?” Justin agreed, but the vision would lay dormant for a couple of years.

In the fall of 2005 the vision for FRATERNUS began to take root. Justin had moved to Jacksonville and was working for the Boy Scouts of America. He experienced the value of the Boy Scouts but saw a great need for the spiritual formation of young men. He called Bob and the two began to speak in earnest about the idea of this rite-of-passage program. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the vision for FRATERNUS began to emerge. They agreed that Justin would actively develop the program and Bob would mentor him through it. Over the next several months, as Justin developed the mission, objectives, strategies and infrastructure for FRATERNUS, God sent others to assist in the development.

The original plan was introduced to several advisors, including Bishop Victor Galeone, of the Diocese of Saint Augustine. Bishop Galeone was impressed with the concept and encouraged Justin to continue to develop the program. For another year and a half Justin, with the help of Bob and Tom MacAlester (Justin’s friend from college), went through an intense period of writing and research. While working towards his Master’s degree in theology, Justin re-discovered the virtues as a great foundation for the curriculum. Through this process the program reached a new level of maturity. In the fall of 2007, the vision and program structure was ready to produce actual lesson plans. Then it was time to solicit help.

Justin was led back to his college alma mater, Florida State University, for the next phase of development. He reacquainted himself with Tommy Van Horn and met six other dynamic Catholic young men living in formation with the Catholic campus ministry. They were all enthusiastic about the program, and eager to help make FRATERNUS a reality. This group volunteered to help write discussion questions and other elements of the lesson plans. Through his involvement with the inner workings of FRATERNUS, Tommy was inspired to travel the country with the goal of spreading the “FRATERNUS Fire” and raising the funds necessary to launch the organization. His trip was a success and upon his return, he led a team of interns into the next grueling phase of writing the curriculum. Following this phase, Tommy continued to help develop the vision and provide leadership during the inaugural year.

On September 10, 2008, the first FRAT Night was launched at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Pensacola. The second program launched on September 29 at Good Shepherd parish in Tallahassee, Florida. The turnout of over fifty 6-12th grade boys at each kickoff was unexpected but a welcome challenge.