Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM has been exploring issues of male spirituality since 1987.  From this work Richard observed that men in our western culture were lacking in their experience and understanding of the transcendent power of God.  He has established Rites of Passage programs in New Mexico to help guide men through a formal initiation process that they may have missed during their critical developmental period as young men.  The Men As Learners and Elders (M.A.L.Es) program was established in 2002 to carry out the vision of creating a school for male spiritual development by expanding the scope of Men’s Rites of Passage programs throughout the country and abroad.  One of the goals of M.A.L.Es is to form an extended network of initiated men and leaders who have an ecumenical vision of Gospel based male initiation.  These Initiated Men will then serve as Elders in providing leadership and guidance in spiritual development for other men of future generations.