We are a network of Catholic men who meet regularly to enjoy each other’s company and to help and support each other throughout the world.

Founded in Manchester, Catenians can now be found in many countries and today are  active throughout the U.K., Ireland, Australia, Malta, India, Bangladesh Zimbabwe, South Africa and Nazareth.

Our local Circles meet monthly and arrange activities both for their members and their families: meals together , barbecues, picnics, visits to the theatre and sporting events are all popular.

Circles in the U.K. raised over £250,000 in the past year for local charities as well as supporting the Association’s two in-house charities; the Benevolent Fund which supports members and their families and the Bursary Fund which sponsors young persons in projects contributing to wider society at home and abroad .

Golf societies throughout the Association join together in a National Golf Championship week every year and the Catenian Caravan and Camping Fellowship have a popular range of special events.

Our Aims

  1. To foster brotherly love among our members and to develop social bonds among our members and their families.
  2. To support one another in the practice of our Faith.
  3. To support and encourage Brothers, their families and widows as needs arise.
  4. To support Brothers in difficulty or need including maintaining and administering benevolent funds through the Catenian Association Benevolent and Children’s Fund.
  5. To advance the interests and development of young Catholics and to assist them in the choice or pursuit of a career, including the promotion and support of the Catenian Association Bursary Fund.
  6. To help our clergy and to encourage and support vocations to the religious life in appropriate ways.
  7. To support charities which the Circle, Province or Association considers are worthy and relevant.

How do I join?

The Catenians are much easier to experience than explain. That is why those wishing to find out more before applying for membership are encouraged to talk first with other Catenians (chances are there are several in your parish). Prospective members are invited (without obligation) to join in one or two social activities and then come along to a couple of meetings as an observer: If at that point you feel you (and your wife if you are married) would enjoy the benefits of membership then you would make formal application through the Catenians with which you have made contact.

If you do not know any Catenians locally please email: [email protected]