The SSMA was first conceived in August of 2021 by two Catholic men who were brought together by their Priest, Father Michael Vaughan. These two men, Rhuel Lucina and Michael Patrick, felt a calling to create a Catholic men’s ministry with a mission. A mission to unite a group of strong Christian men into a dynamic fraternity of Brothers who would aid one another in aspiring to Sainthood. They felt a need. The need for a fraternity devoted to Catholic men’s spiritual growth. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, guided by prayer and assisted by God Almighty they were called to action and the SSMA was born.
The SSMA received official Parish Council approval At Good Shepherd Parish in Elk Grove, California in November of 2021. The Holy Spirit then began to gather men together who felt called to run Exodus 90, an intense and demanding 90 day spiritual exercise. These men set out on their Exodus on January 17th, 2022. Some called them radicals. Some called them zealots. But perhaps Fr. Michael described it all best as “Rambo Catholicism.”
During those 90 days these men became Brothers. They fought a tremendous battle together. They shared great victories, and great defeats. The Exodus pushed them to focus on their faith and trust in God like never before. Each man experienced great hardship, but also gained incredible self-knowledge and personal growth. In the end those who remained, those who persevered through the spiritual combat, emerged together victorious on the same day our Lord rose victorious over death. The Soldiers of Saint Michael the Archangel fraternity was truly born on Easter Sunday, April 17th 2022.
Stronger and united these men vowed to one another that they would continue to lift one another up and hold each other accountable. They would continue to live lives focused on prayer, asceticism, and fraternity.
Soldiers of Saint Michael the Archangel 