Thousands of Catholic men across the United States have completed a 90-day spiritual program known as Exodus 90, sacrificing creature comforts including cold showers, sugar, alcohol, and excess screen time to deepen their faith during the period leading up to Easter.
The program, founded in 2015 by Jamie Baxter, combines prayer, fellowship, and ascetic practices inspired by the biblical Exodus. Participants begin the challenge in January and complete it before Easter Sunday, with organizers estimating that approximately 250,000 men across 80 countries have participated in the program since its inception.
Aidan Kunath, a 30-year-old father from Cincinnati, has participated in the Exodus 90 challenge for four consecutive years with a group of 14 men from the International Order of Alhambra, a Catholic fraternal organization. 'The point of the program is trying to live a life intentionally that opens you up to a better relationship with God,' Kunath told The Daily Wire.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators have largely praised Exodus 90 as an example of men taking initiative in their spiritual and personal development. Religious leaders have celebrated the program's emphasis on discipline, community, and traditional faith practices as a countercultural witness in modern society.
Catholic clergy and conservative commentators have highlighted the program's success in reaching men who might otherwise be disconnected from institutional religion. The emphasis on asceticism and intentional living has been framed as a rejection of contemporary consumer culture and a return to traditional spiritual disciplines.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive observers have noted the growing interest in programs like Exodus 90 amid broader cultural conversations about masculinity and men's mental health. Some progressive commentators have suggested that such movements reflect a positive trend toward men seeking community and emotional vulnerability, though others remain cautious about explicitly masculine spiritual movements.
Mental health advocates on the left have pointed to the potential benefits of structured support systems for men, noting that isolation and lack of community are significant factors affecting men's psychological wellbeing. Some have argued that faith-based programs can provide legitimate pathways for men to address addiction and find peer support, though they caution against framing masculinity in rigid traditional terms.
What the Numbers Show
Exodus 90 organizers report that approximately 250,000 men in 80 countries have completed the program since its founding in 2015. Nearly 90% of participants identify as Catholic, though the program has also attracted Protestant, agnostic, and atheist participants.
The program's basic tier costs $90 per year, with student discounts available. The organization offers a money-back guarantee for participants who do not 'experience greater freedom.' Participants commit to daily prayer of at least one hour, cold showers, and giving up snacking between meals, unnecessary purchases, and meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Bottom Line
The growth of Exodus 90 reflects a broader trend of men seeking structured spiritual communities and discipline in an era when traditional masculine roles are increasingly contested. The program operates outside institutional church structures, offering a lay-led approach to spiritual formation that appeals to men across denominational and religious backgrounds.
Critics and supporters alike acknowledge that programs like Exodus 90 fill a perceived gap in modern American religious life, particularly for men who find traditional parish engagement uninspiring. As Easter approaches, thousands of participants will complete their 90-day journey, with organizers expecting continued growth in the years ahead.