Chivalry Camp: “This Day by Fighting, We’ll Show Our Devotion!”
“This day by fighting, we’ll show our devotion,” sang the boys at a chivalry-themed summer camp in Ocala, Florida.
The Call to Chivalry camp was one of several sponsored by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition Family and Property (TFP). These camps are unique, being entirely Catholic, manly, and militant – the perfect combination for a growing boy’s soul. Here is a look into the motivational spirit behind this Catholic camp, its activities and its goals.
Here's a video of the camp held in Pennsylvania.
Chivalry is the Catholic Sense of Virtuous Living for Men
The camp has a code of conduct conducive to virtue. It promotes a Catholic spirit of chivalry: serving Our Lord and Our Lady, doing what is right, and never giving up in the face of evil. Every TFP camp promotes fortitude, purity and piety.
Activities That Foster Action and Spiritual Growth
The morning rising is complemented with the skirling of bagpipes, a martial instrument. Camp participants get out of their beds and gather to pray the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, led by a camp counselor. To teach the young men order, there is a daily room inspection before breakfast. Then, the lads chant the Creed and go to breakfast singing a hymn attributed to Saint Louis de Montfort: "We Want God."
After breakfast, the boys use a great spiritual weapon, which is the Rosary. Praying together is a must for knightly education. To sharpen the intellect, a talk follows. Saint Pius V, Blessed Pius IX, the Medieval Order, and what it means to have the spirit of a Crusader were some of the topics covered by TFP speakers at the event.
The young men play manly sports, some of which are unique to TFP programs such as Shield Ball and French Football. A highlight is wielding foam swords during Capture the Flag. All activities begin and end with a prayer.
TFP volunteer Gabriel Jordan teaches crusader songs to the boys. The loud singing helps promote camaraderie among the soldiers of Christ. One refrain about the miracle of Our Lady of Lepanto included the words: "Fill us with courage Queen of the Ocean, this day by fighting, we'll show our devotion."
One favorite meeting is about the street campaigns of TFP Student Action, where TFP members defend the Faith in the public square addressing issues like abortion, socialism and transgenderism. Full-time TFP volunteer Domenick Galatolo speaks on how to confront these evils on university campuses. During the camp, the attendees join a TFP rally against socialism just as the Free Cuba Now campaign kicks off.
The headmaster of Saint Louis de Montfort Academy, Ted Huereña, gives a meeting about the crusader spirit and its application to Catholic men today. He teaches them how to fight sin, have good friends and persevere in their spiritual lives, using Saint Dominic Savio as an example.
Where All This Leads: A Renewed Generation
A program of meetings, games, singing, praying and dining, has a grand purpose. The Call to Chivalry camps seek to change the hearts and minds of Catholic youth to love their Faith so much that they will defend it, zealously promote it and thoroughly live it every day. The camp provides the elements to form the next generation of spiritual crusaders. By the grace of Our Lady, TFP members have every reason to believe that this effort for the glory of God is successful.
Would you please help the TFP to accomplish this lofty goal? Do not let the call to chivalry that beckons young men to fight for Holy Mother Church go unheard or unheeded.