A Voluntary Partnership of Lay Catholic Men · Diocese of Memphis
Duc in Altum
“Put out into the deep.” — Luke 5:4
A partnership of lay Catholic men, well formed in intentional discipleship, called not only to participate — but to lead in advancing the benefits of ministries to men.
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’”
Luke 5:4
The Call
Deep “C” Fishing
For Fishers of Men, Luke 5:4 is a natural progression from Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17, where Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Casting the net was the beginning. Now comes the summons to deeper water — to leave the shallows of participation for the depths of leadership.
The Partnership
What Is Duc in Altum?
Duc in Altum (“Put out into the deep”, Luke 5:4) is a voluntary partnership among lay Catholic men who are well formed in intentional discipleship and are called, not only to participate in, but to lead in advancing the benefits of ministries to men.
Partners form a communication network and a pool of volunteers and sponsors serving men’s ministry across the Diocese of Memphis.
The Partner Identity
Every Mark on the Badge Means Something
The Cross of Jesus
Faith & Redemption
At the center of the badge and the center of the mission: everything begins and ends in Christ.
The Anchor
Symbol of Hope
Hope that holds fast in deep water — the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.
The Rope
Symbol of Unity
One line binding many men together: parishes, generations, and ministries pulling as one.
The Imperfect Circle
Our Mission, Humility
The rope’s circle is not perfect — and neither are we. The mission advances through humble men, not flawless ones.
Marian Blue
Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
The badge field is Marian blue: the whole work entrusted to Our Lady’s intercession.
Duc in Altum
Put Out Into the Deep (Luke 5:4)
The name is the commission. Not a slogan — a standing order to leave the shallows.
Our Call: 2 Corinthians 6:1–10
Formed in These Principles
01Christocentricity — devoted and conformed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ
02Evangelization of the Culture
03Rooted in the Mystical Body — relying on the intercession of the saints and angels
04Leading with Beauty into the good and the true — the three transcendentals
05Affirmative Orthodoxy
06Solidarity in Mission — clergy and laity working together
07Grounding in the Eucharist
Hosted By
Fishers of Men
Fishers of Men is a Catholic men’s ministry which calls, equips, and encourages men through an experience of authentic friendship to become active disciples of Jesus Christ. Its goal: to awaken in Catholic men a desire for a relationship with Jesus.
Fishers of Men is the first Duc in Altum organizational partner, and its board is acting to return to its original model for the annual Men’s Morning of Spirituality — unifying seven vibrant parish-based groups as a powerful model for disciple-making through the men of the Diocese of Memphis.
Men’s Morning of Spirituality Conferences — 15 years and counting.
Our Legacy: Seven Parish Groups
St. Ann — Bartlett
Nativity — Bartlett
St. Louis — East Memphis
Holy Spirit — East Memphis
Incarnation — Collierville
Our Lady of Perpetual Help — Germantown
St. Philip — Somerville
“Come follow me, and I will make you Fishers of Men” — Mark 1:17
Where This Is Headed
The Year One Vision
First Organizational Partner
Fishers of Men leads the way as the first Duc in Altum organizational partner.
First Individual Partners
Board members and parish group leaders stand among the first individual partners.
A Pool for MMOS
Duc in Altum partners form the volunteer and sponsor pool for the Men’s Morning of Spirituality.
46 Parishes, 2 Partners Each
Year one goal: a minimum of two Duc in Altum individual partners in each of the 46 diocesan parishes — a necessary communication network.
“By reason of their special vocation, it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will… that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and may be to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church — CCC 898
Become a Partner
Put Out Into the Deep
The nets are ready. The water is deep. If you are a Catholic man formed for discipleship and willing to lead, your parish needs you as a Duc in Altum partner.