An outdoor Mass marked the pilot GRIT weekend of fathers and sons at Elderslie Farm, where a diocesan program aimed to help boys understand the essence of manhood. According to Jake Samour, the director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, the program seeks to guide adolescent sons in comprehending the challenges and responsibilities of manhood, emphasizing being "men of service and men for others."

Samour explained, "That greatness comes from being a man for God, men of service, and men for others." The program, named GRIT, stands for gather, relate, initiate, and transform.

During the retreat, fathers and sons engaged in discussions regarding the true essence of masculinity, contrasting societal norms with God's standards. They delved into biblical stories, such as the relationship between King David and his father Jesse, highlighting the theme of being called to greatness, even in the face of challenges.

"Sometimes as dads we may not see and our boys may not realize that they are called to greatness," Samour remarked. The fathers also reflected on David's imperfections as a leader, despite being chosen by God, and his complex relationship with his son Absalom.

A pivotal moment of the retreat was when fathers blessed their sons, followed by the sons receiving rosaries as a symbol of their faith and connection. Looking ahead, Samour expressed his intention to further develop the GRIT retreats, incorporating structured presentations, activities, and opportunities for journaling.

He shared, "The hope is to have this structure made up with different options and to promote it in parishes and men’s groups throughout the diocese. They can pick the place. Our hope is to duplicate it throughout the diocese and to keep going at the diocesan level so people can come to experience it, and then take it to their parishes."

With future retreats in the pipeline, the initiative aims to continue fostering meaningful father-son relationships and guiding young boys on their journey to manhood.