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Joy in Being Together
TFP Conference Unites Catholics
in Crusade
Was it the meetings, the lively conversations
or the making of new friends? Was it the bishop’s sermon,
the prince’s convocation or the hero’s testimony?
Was it the rosary procession or the final High Mass? It
is hard to decide which parts of the weekend were best since
it takes a little time to sort out the impressions.
However, for the over 200 TFP supporters,
members and friends that attended the 2003 TFP National
Conference at the organization’s headquarters in
Spring Grove, Penn., there was a consensus that the intense
weekend went all too quickly.
Indeed, the conference ended, but
the graces, memories, and friendships still remain. The
joyous event was filled to capacity with friends and supporters
from all across the nation. It boasted an impressive array
of distinguished guests and speakers.
First among them was Bishop Juan
Rodolfo Laise, Bishop Emeritus of San Luis (Argentina) who
celebrated Mass and also eloquently spoke at the Saturday
luncheon. Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza delivered
a powerful keynote speech-convocation on the need to embark
on a Counter-revolution. Ambassador Armando Valladares reflected
on his 21 years in Cuban prison camps. Col. John Ripley,
USMC (Ret.) addressed the conference via a video presentation
with a stirring wartime testimony of his Catholic Faith.
Recharging Batteries
To those in the daily struggle to
persevere in a sinful and revolutionary world, the conference
was an opportunity to “recharge” one’s batteries
and return refreshed. Talks centered on themes from the
book, Revolution
and Counter-Revolution by Prof. Plinio Corrêa
de Oliveira and sought to give participants the tools to
understand something of today’s crisis and elements
to act efficiently in a crusade to defend Christian civilization.
“Our Challenge: Breaking the
American Consensus” by TFP Director John Horvat discussed
liberal America’s attack on a religious and moralistic
America and how to oppose it. Mr. Luis Solemeo, a Brazilian
TFP member, presented practical principles of how to act
on public opinion in his talk, “Mastering the Counter-Revolution.”
The director of the TFP Washington Bureau, Mr. Mario Navarro
da Costa, spoke on the need to consider temporal affairs
together with religious matters when engaged in the counter-revolutionary
struggle.
In another round of talks, American
TFP member Norman Fulkerson gave a masterful presentation
on “Heaven, the Terminal Point of our Journey.”
Participants thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, “For
God’s Sake, not Our Own” by Michael Whitcraft,
which denounced a man-centered worship of God.. A lively
discussion developed around the lecture, “Analyzing
the Laugh as a Contributing Factor to Revolution Throughout
the Centuries,” delivered by Byron Whitcraft.
More than Talks
While such speakers gave depth
and substance to the conference, a TFP National Conference
is more than just talks.
It is the little things that make
all the difference. This could be seen in how the participants
besought God’s blessing by praying before and after
all the meetings. It was apparent in the care with which
all sought to honor the presence of the bishop and prince.
The organizing committee made every attempt to create a
proper and beautifully decorated atmosphere for the meals
and meetings.
A special joy was the presence of
the students from the TFP-run St.
Louis de Montfort Academy. Also reassuring were
several university students from the work of TFP
Student Action. Participants saw how the principles
they studied during the meetings had a future in today’s
youth.
Between talks, participants had
time to converse and share their impressions. The joy of
being together was very apparent. New friends were soon
talking as if they had known each other for years.
Honoring God
The
conference did not neglect the spiritual side of any effective
Catholic action.
As a special
tribute to the Blessed Mother, attendees participated in
a long candlelight rosary procession with an exact life-size
replica of Seville’s famous statue of Our Lady of Hope
– Macarena. Recalling the compatriots of Amb. Valladares
still under Castro's tyranny, the rosary’s intention
was for all those suffering under communism in Cuba and
around the world.
The ornate
statue of Our Lady stood on a float carried by a troop of
strong men as she presided at the end of the procession.
As darkness descended over the crowd, the long lines of
faithful extended far ahead, singing songs and offering
prayers.
Especially
memorable was the High Mass celebrated Sunday afternoon
at St. Patrick's Church in York, Penn. and sung by the TFP
Choir. With the permission of the local ordinary, the traditional
Tridentine Mass was attended by over 300 people. Bishop
Laise celebrated the mass with all the ceremonial due to
his office. His sermon was exuberant and encouraging.
The high point
of the ceremony was the recessional procession where a moving
spine-tingling rendition of the Papal Hymn with organ, trumpet
and choir filled the church and left many wondering if they
had not experienced a foretaste of heaven.
* * *
Alas, the end of the conference
had to come. After mass, the closing dinner was held at
the grand ballroom of the nearby Yorktowne Hotel. Despite
the varied backgrounds of those present, the atmosphere
was that of a family reunion. Indeed, it was – a family
of like-minded Catholics dedicated to defending Christian
Civilization against so many threats.
