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The fifth Call to Chivalry camp for fathers and sons was held from July 10–17 once again on the beautiful Cistercian grounds of Mount Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Roscrea, County Tipperary. As in previous years, the camp was filled with engaging talks, exciting games, outings, lively conversation and above all daily reception of the sacraments and the Holy Rosary. The camp this year was honored with the presence of Fr. Thomas Cunningham who provided daily Mass at the beginning of each day.
The camp, organized annually by the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation, included a variety of speakers who dealt with many different and thought provoking topics. Mr. Thomas Drake from the United States explained to the participants the importance of living the spirit of chivalry in each one’s daily life. He showed what it meant to be a true knight in the 21st century. A youth who wants to be a true Crusader for the Holy Catholic Church no longer travels to liberate the Holy Land,
but defends the Church with the same spirit. Mr. Drake went through the Ten Commandments of Chivalry and explained how they can be applied in the lives of youth today. In another meeting he also dealt in a masterful way with the virtues of humility, purity, heroism and gentleness.
Mr. Julio Loredo returned to Ireland again from Italy to speak about the important theme of Christian civilization. In his meetings he convincingly showed how society on earth should be a reflection of the order that exists in the angelic world, and what is necessary to achieve this.
From Scotland came Mr. Henry Creechan who spoke on Our Lady of Guadalupe. He commented on the magnificence of this miraculous image of Our Lady that was instrumental in the conversion of millions to the Catholic faith and which to this day boggles the minds of skeptical scientists.
Mr. Neil McKay enlightened the participants on the importance of the sacraments of Confession and Extreme Unction. He also showed a fine presentation on the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. After the talk, Father Cunningham enrolled some of the participants in the Brown Scapular.
Mr. Byron Whitcraft from the United States returned to Ireland to enlighten the Summer Camp participants on the life of the great Saint Thomas More. The meeting showed the contrast between this saint of the Catholic Church and his ruthless king, Henry VIII. The meeting ended showing the profit we can all take in using Saint Thomas More as an example for youth above all in his spirit of courage and sacrifice.
Mr. Marc Lascelle from Canada was a welcome addition to the speakers’ roster. He acquainted the participants on the importance of understanding the Church’s dogma on Hell. Mr. Lascelle gave the reasons why Our Lady showed Hell to the three children and how we should pay more attention to this important teaching of our Faith. He also gave a presentation on the Siege of Malta and why it was so decisive for Christendom. On two of the evening programs, Father Cunningham shared with the participants the experiences he had during the many years he served as a missionary in Nigeria, Angola and Papua New Guinea. From Malta, Mr. Phillip Beattie gave a short presentation on the present economic situation.
Outings this year included a trip to the site where a decisive battle was lost by the Catholic forces that supported James II of England. This was the famous Battle of the Boyne. It marked the beginning of the end of the Jacobite uprising. Other outings included a visit to the relics of Saint Oliver Plunkett and Slane Hill where Saint Patrick lit the Paschal fire in defiance of the High King of Ireland, but which marked the beginning of the conversion of the Emerald Isle.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]""[vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”27819″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”14240″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]""""[vc_column_text]Outings this year included a trip to the site where a decisive battle was lost by the Catholic forces that supported James II of England. This was the famous Battle of the Boyne. It marked the beginning of the end of the Jacobite uprising. Other outings included a visit to the relics of Saint Oliver Plunkett and Slane Hill where Saint Patrick lit the Paschal fire in defiance of the High King of Ireland, but which marked the beginning of the conversion of the Emerald Isle.
As in previous years, the camp included a treasure hunt, shield ball, French football, prison break and many other lively indoor and outdoor games. On the last day of the camp, Holy Mass was celebrated in the morning and the customary Medieval Games were held. Different this year than in previous years, the games were not inconvenienced by the rain. Only a short sprinkle refreshed the participants without interfering with any of the sporting events. After the games, the medieval banquet was held with solemnity and ended with the distribution of a remembrance for each participant. The memento was a paper weight made from Connemara Marble with a picture of a medieval knight on the front. To end the evening, a rosary procession with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima proceeded to the chapel for the final benediction of the Blessed Sacrament given by Abbot Richard Purcell.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]""[vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”14242″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”14243″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]""""[vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]""""[vc_column_text]The same evening some participants traveled home with family and the majority left the next morning. As always, parting is never easy after such a blessed week, but each one went back home with enthusiasm for this great struggle for a Christian civilization.
Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]