HOBART – Twenty men celebrated the inaugural Graduation Mass and Dinner of Leones Christi (Lions of Christ), a brand-new men’s ministry, with a symbolic roar on Feb. 17 at St. Bridget.
Developed and organized by parishioners Jason Solivais and Sean Meagher, Leones Christi is “a parish-based brotherhood of men walking together through prayer, discipline, fraternity, and service,” explained Solivais. “Our first Tournament brought men together around a shared rule of life aimed at forming stronger husbands, fathers and faithful men of the Catholic Church.”
The first pilot “tournament,” rooted locally, but designed to be repeated for other parishes, began Jan. 1 and ended six weeks later. “In an effort to serve men who have busy lives, we built in only three actual, in-person events.
The kick-off Tournament Opener on Jan. 1, with Mass, activities and a keynote address by Father Steven Caraher, set the tone “for a powerful and meaningful” experience, said Solivais. Second came a Tournament Pilgrimage to Chicago on Jan. 24 that brought the participants together for a South Shore Railroad trip and Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago. Finally, the group gathered with their families for Mass, the graduation awards and a pizza dinner.
In between, the tournament included rigorous weekly assignments shared by email. “We started with 10 rules that included daily prayer, daily scripture readings, journaling, staying in the state of grace, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, serving at church and physical exercise,’ explained Solivais. The men earned points for following the rules and completing weekly assignments, which included decorating a wooden plaque that became their tournament “shield.”
“Several years ago, a friend invited me to a men’s group at a Protestant church. While I appreciated what they were doing, it made me ask a simple question: Why don’t we have something like this for Catholic men? When I couldn’t find anything locally that addressed men spiritually, physically and fraternally – rooted fully in the Catholic faith – I felt called to build it,” said Solivais, 51, a husband and father of four.
A parishioner at St. Bridget, “I’m also a Catholic convert, what I like to call a ‘born-again Catholic,’ he said. “I was baptized and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil in 2011, and since that time my faith has been central to my life and my desire to serve.
“I began developing what would become Leones Christi in early 2025. When I presented the concept to our pastor, Father Benjamin Ross, he told me he liked what he saw and asked me to ‘protect it.’ Taking that guidance seriously, I worked to establish Leones Christi on solid spiritual and legal foundations.
Leones Christi was officially recognized as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Indiana on Nov. 23, 2025. “That date was chosen intentionally, and Father Ross presided over the consecration of Leones Christi to Christ the King the very same day. Since then, the IRS has approved Leones Christi as a 501(c)(3),” noted Solivais.
“Leones Christi exists to bring souls to Christ through the strength and witness of faithful Catholic men. Consecrated to Christ the King and in obedience to the Magisterium of the Church, we form men to live courageous, prayerful, and sacrificial lives rooted in the Gospel - through fellowship, prayer, discipline, and service.”
Solivais termed the first tournament, Mary, Mother of God: Tournament I – Lions of the Lamb, “a great success,” with 20 of the initial 23 participants completing necessary graduation requirements, including Solivais, his son Jackson Solivais, and Father Ross. Other graduates include Sean Meagher, who helped develop the course and attained a perfect score by fully completing all assignments, John Crouch, Kevin McGuire, Alex Marler, Jim Barker, Ray Nedohon, Eli Owen, Mike Balnius, Matt Hoyt, Bryce Seamans, Dimitrius Figueroa, Gavin Wollenberg, Dave Mullaney, Ryan Sales, Nick Meagher, Jeff Blaske and Joe Del Rio.
“It has been a real joy getting to know these men and to watch authentic brotherhood take root,” said Solivais, a steelworker for 21 years.
“I got deeper into my faith through the daily projects, like scripture reading,” said Ryan Sales, who served as a tournament captain. “I travel for my work, so it was great that I didn’t have to try to attend weekly meetings.”
The tournament model is designed to be repeatable. Each tournament follows the same structure, while the assignments, readings, and formation content change, allowing it to remain fresh and adaptable for use in any parish. “Our next tournament at St. Bridget is scheduled for Aug. 15 through Sept. 29 and will again be dedicated to Our Lady,” said Solivais, who added that the pilgrimage will visit Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton, Ill.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt as prepared for Lent,” said Mullaney. “It was a great journey, even though I had to abstain from alcohol during a trip to Las Vegas. This is not the end, but just the beginning; we hope to attract more men for the next tournament in August.”
Crouch, a senior citizen, expressed his gratitude “to the younger men of the parish, who welcomed me. It’s been a joy and the exercise was good for me.” Crouch said he learned patience and calmness through creating his plaque and posting photos online, and is proud to identify as a Lion of Christ.
“I have wanted to encourage more faith support within the parish, so I was excited about this men’s ministry when Jason came to me,” said Father Ross. “For working men, it was doable, and I know that for those who could attend the pilgrimage, it was really a highlight of the tournament.”
Father Ross is looking forward to sharing Leones Christi with other priests in the Diocese of Gary, and continuing to grow the ministry at St. Bridget. “The most important thing is the fraternity it is creating in the parish,” he said.
For more information about Leones Christi, contact Solivais at overlayj@gmail.com or 793-5507, or St. Bridget at 942-6441.
Caption: The first Leones Christi tournament class hosted a Graduation Mass and Dinner on Feb. 17 at St. Bridget in Hobart. Receiving certificates for completing all assignments for the new men’s ministry are the graduates, led by founder Jason Solivais (back row center wearing cap). (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
