I remember the day old Man Harper – bless his soul – told me about the time he tried to sell a left-handed hammer. Took him a solid hour of polite confusion and a few good-natured laughs before the fella walked out, shaking his head. Now why on earth would anyone need such a contraption? It’s like trying to thread a needle with your nose – possible maybe, but darn sure not practical.
That left-handed hammer came to mind recently when I was talking with a young Catholic family at my shop. They were worried about their kids growing up in a world that seems to have forgotten the very meaning of right and wrong. “It’s like everything’s backwards these days,” the mother said, her voice full of that weary concern I see more and more often.
And she ain’t wrong. We live in a society where the solid ground of tradition feels like quicksand, where moral relativism is the main course at dinner, and where faith-based institutions are often seen as quaint museum pieces from a bygone era. The question on that family’s mind – and likely yours if you’re still reading – is what do we do about it?
We don’t fix this with a left-handed hammer. We don’t try to force our way back into the past either, though I know more than one good man who wishes we could. Nope. The answer isn’t in trying to take over the old institutions that have already been hollowed out from within.
The real work – the holy work – is building new ones. Stronger ones. Faith-filled ones. In this post, we’re going to talk about how Catholics can start creating alternative institutions that don’t just survive but thrive in our post-Christian society. We’ll look at what these might look like, why they matter so much, and most importantly, how you can get started right where you are.
What the Heck is an “Alternative Institution” Anyway? 🤔
First things first – let’s clear up some confusion. When we talk about building alternative institutions, we’re not talking about creating some sort of underground church or a secret society (though that might sound fun for a minute). We’re talking about something more practical and more powerful.
Think of it this way: Everywhere you look in modern life – every sphere of human activity – there’s an institution. There’s the public school system, the mainstream media, the corporate HR department, the neighborhood homeowners association… and so on and so forth. Each of these has its own culture, its own values, and its own way of operating.
Now here’s where Saint Thomas Aquinas would have us pay attention – everything in creation seeks its proper end. The proper end of a society is human flourishing according to truth and virtue. But many of our modern institutions have lost their moral compass. They operate on purely secular principles, often in direct contradiction to the Catholic worldview.
An “alternative institution” is simply this: it’s an organization or community that operates from a foundation of Catholic truth and values, providing a countercultural alternative within that sphere of life. It’s creating a space where Christ can reign, even if He’s been kicked out of the official institutions around us.
Case Studies in Faithful Building 🏗️
This sounds grand and theoretical, but let me give you some real-life examples to make it concrete:
1. The Catholic Co-op:
Imagine a group of Catholic families in a suburb who get tired of the soul-crushing grocery store chains where workers are treated poorly and food is shipped from who-knows-where. So they start a small co-op – buying directly from local farmers, sharing the work load, and creating a community hub. They’re not just getting cheaper eggs; they’re building an economy that values human dignity, stewardship of creation, and neighborly relationships.
2. The “St. Joseph’s Workshop” Makerspace:
A group of Catholic men – some retired like me, some young fathers with skills to share – get together in a big garage on weekends. They teach woodworking, metalwork, repair skills… the kind of practical knowledge that makes a man self-reliant and capable. It’s a modern guild hall, a place where men can work side-by-side, talk about life’s challenges without the nonsense, and learn to create beauty rather than just consume junk.
3. The Classical Homeschool Pod:
A few Catholic moms get together because they’re all doing something similar – raising their kids in the faith while giving them an education rooted in the Great Books and classical principles that the public schools have abandoned. They share teaching duties, form a co-op for sports, and create a support network that strengthens both mothers and children.
See? These aren’t revolutionary ideas. They’re simply different ways of organizing life around truth instead of convenience or profit. They’re small, organic, and powerful precisely because they’re grounded in community and shared purpose.
Why This Approach Actually Works (And Why It’s So Catholic) 🙏
There are a few key reasons why this “build our own” strategy is so effective:
It Follows the Principle of Subsidiarity:
The Church teaches that matters should be handled at the lowest possible level – by the individual, then the family, then the local community. We’re not waiting for some bishop in Rome to fix things for us. We’re taking responsibility right here at home and at work.
It Creates Space for Grace:
When you gather people together with a shared purpose rooted in faith, God can work in powerful ways. A men’s group isn’t just about fixing engines – it’s about men becoming saints through friendship and shared labor. A homeschool pod isn’t just about academics – it’s about mothers supporting each other in their most important vocation.
It Provides a Witness:
As Saint John Paul II reminded us, we don’t need to be loud or confrontational. We just need to live our faith so fully and so joyfully that people can’t help but notice the difference. A Catholic-run business that treats its employees with dignity is a powerful sermon. A family whose home is a place of peace and order is an evangelistic force.
How You Can Start Building Right Now
This might all sound wonderful in theory, but you’re likely wondering – “Bojangles, what can I actually do?” The beauty of this vision is that it’s flexible. Here are some starting points for different walks of life:
For the Family:
Start a “Family Economy”: Give your kids a small allowance and let them start their own business – even if it’s just a lemonade stand or helping neighbors with yard work.
Host an Evening of Recitation: Gather some like-minded families once a month to practice poetry, catechism questions, or scripture together. It builds community and forms minds.
For the Young Professional:
Form a Catholic Networking Group: Get together with other young Catholic professionals in your field for mutual support, prayer, and sharing of opportunities.
Start an After-Work “Bible and Burgers” Club: Find a few guys who want to grow in their faith over a simple meal once a week. No fancy programs needed.
For the Retired Gentleman (or Lady):
Become the “Fix-It” Hub for Your Parish: Use your skills to organize repair workshops, teach basic home maintenance classes, and share that practical wisdom with younger families.
Start a Men’s Prayer Group at Your Local Cafe: Simple as that. Get some guys together before work each day. No agenda – just coffee, prayer, and accountability.
Remember the golden rule: start small. Don’t try to build a cathedral overnight. Start with one family, two friends, three coffee cups. Let God do the building through your humble efforts.
Some Final Words of Encouragement 🌟
Building these alternative institutions isn’t easy. There will be times when it feels like you’re shouting into the void – when people don’t understand, when participation wanes, or when you get discouraged by the sheer scale of the challenge.
But let me leave you with this thought from our patron saint for this work, Saint Josemaría Escrivá:
“May you not be daunted by the magnitude of your task. Be resolute and trust in God.”*
We’re not building these institutions to save the world single-handedly. We’re building them because they are good, right, and holy ways to live our lives. Each time we gather friends for prayer, each time we treat an employee with dignity, each time we teach a child a true value – we are planting seeds of grace that will bear fruit in ways we may never see.
So don’t be afraid. Start something small today. Gather some good people. Do one right thing together. You might just find yourself building not just institutions, but the Kingdom of God, one brick at a time. Now go on – get to building! 🛠️💪