Entering the New Year with Christ
2024 was a year of relentless struggle for TFP Student Action Europe, defined by bold street campaigns that challenged mainstream revolutionary ideas and confronted the widespread spirit of conformity. This bold example led many new students who wanted to rise to the occasion, joining the fight to protect Christian civilization.
Yet, the enemies of the Catholic Church continue to press forward, undeterred in their efforts.
As we usher in the new year, how does a member of TFP Student Action Europe mark this turning point? What is needed to prepare for the many battles that lie ahead? In a lively program full of studies, reflections, ceremonial and inner life, strategic planning, and, of course, physical exercise, participants take stock of past victories and challenges, equipping themselves for the struggles that await them in the coming year.
A central focus is always the need to intensify one’s efforts and, above all, to deepen one’s devotion to Our Lady, Queen of the Counter-Revolution. Only through unwavering commitment to her can we hope to navigate the trials ahead and emerge victorious in the defense of our faith and civilization.
Winter Academy
From December 27 to January 2, students from several European countries gathered in the eastern French city of Creutzwald (Moselle), located in the heart of the historic Lorraine region, to take part in the annual TFP Student Action Europe New Year’s symposium. The objective of this gathering was clear: to equip young and militant Catholics with the knowledge and resolve needed to confront the growing modern crisis.
Drawing on the social and political thought of the founder of the TFP, Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, and inspired by his main work Revolution and Counter-Revolution, the week-long symposium provided an intensive immersion into the principles that guide the Counter-Revolutionary movement. Students explored how to embody the noble virtues of chivalry, developed camaraderie with like-minded peers, and delved into the historical process of the Revolution that has been systematically undermining Western civilization.
Most crucially, they gained a profound understanding of what can be done—both individually and collectively—as part of the Counter-Revolution to restore order. In addition to the intellectual formation, the spiritual aspect of the symposium was deeply enriched by the presence of several priests who celebrated daily Holy Mass and administered the Sacraments, ensuring that the participants’ spiritual lives were nourished alongside their intellectual growth.
This Winter Academy was not merely a time of reflection, but a call to action, preparing these young Catholics to carry the torch of the Counter-Revolution and stand firm in defense of the Church and Christian civilization.
French Revolution
To truly understand and defeat today’s crisis, it is essential to trace its roots back to its historical origins. A central focus of the Winter Academy was the French Revolution and its enduring influence on the present day.
Why was there such a lack of response from the Old Regime in France to the highly organized Jacobin minority? Why did the clergy remain largely passive, and why did King Louis XVI fail to take decisive action against the revolutionaries, citing a desire to avoid bloodshed—ironically leading to one of the bloodiest and most catastrophic events in history?
Our lecturers shed light on a crucial yet often overlooked factor: the influence of Fenelonian education on the French nobility and the "Revolution in the tendencies" that subtly prepared minds for the upheaval of 1789. The engaging conversations in salons, the fervent debates in cafés, the literary clubs, and the intellectual Societés de pensées—articulated by certain influential thinkers—spread the egalitarian ideals that began to take hold in French society.
Have modern revolutionaries abandoned these methods of intellectual subversion? Participants were encouraged to reflect on the question and engage in discussions about the present-day equivalents of these salons and cafés. What are the spaces and institutions today where revolutionary ideas are propagated? And how can the Counter-Revolutionaries of today effectively confront and counteract these new “salons” and “cafés” that continue to spread the seeds of modern revolution?
Counter Movement
In the face of the revolutionaries seeking to dismantle both the altar and the throne, there was a powerful and courageous resistance in France: the uprising in the Vendée. The people of the Vendée were ready to take up arms to defend their faith, their king, and their way of life, and they rallied under the command of the local nobility. They organized a militia that, remarkably, achieved numerous victories on the battlefield.
Wearing the Sacred Heart of Jesus emblazoned on their uniforms, the Catholic insurgents inflicted significant defeats on the Republican Army, and at times, it seemed they had a real chance of overthrowing the revolutionary regime. Their unwavering commitment to God and King, combined with their military skill and fervor, made them a formidable force.
However, despite their initial successes, the Vendée uprising was eventually crushed. The reasons behind their ultimate defeat offer invaluable lessons for us today. It is a powerful reminder that even the most righteous and courageous efforts can face formidable challenges, and the lessons from this tragic yet noble resistance remain highly relevant to the struggles of our own time.
Each day, participants were required to answer a questionnaire designed to sharpen their arguments and reinforce the key lessons from the discussions. This exercise was not only an opportunity for reflection but also a vital tool for solidifying the knowledge they had gained. By engaging with these questions, participants were better equipped to internalize the principles and strategies discussed, ensuring they would be ready to apply them in the chalenges ahead.
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Seeking an Authentic Life in Christ
Throughout the symposium, participants gathered to pray the Rosary together and were given the opportunity to attend Holy Mass and receive the Sacrament of Confession. In contrast to the modern, worldly view of holidays, our focus was not on earthly pleasures but on the pursuit of virtue and the deepening of our spiritual lives. True satisfaction and meaning are found in living a life of holiness, and when shared with others who strive for the same, this pursuit becomes more natural and even joyful.
Moments of recollection and silence were interwoven into the program, allowing time for reflection. Spiritual guidance from renowned authors and saints helped the young people meditate on the graces they had received throughout the previous year. This time of introspection also served as an opportunity to prepare spiritually for the year ahead, encouraging participants to set meaningful resolutions for 2025, rooted in faith and the pursuit of sanctity.
No Christmas gathering would be complete without traditional carols. With joyful hearts, the students sang beloved Christmas hymns such as The Twelve Days of Christmas, Les anges dans nos campagnes, Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht, and Pueri Concinite. These songs not only celebrated the joy of the season but also united the group in a spirit of reverence and thanksgiving, reinforcing the joy of the Incarnation and the call to live authentically in Christ.
Challenging Hike
Midway through the week, the participants embarked on a challenging hike to the summit of Mount Saint-Odile in French Alsace. As they ascended, the sounds of bagpipes and Catholic hymns filled the air, adding to the solemnity and joy of the pilgrimage. The mountain’s beauty was heightened by the fresh snowfall from the previous night, making the landscape even more picturesque.
Along the way, the group paused at a miraculous spring to learn about the life of Saint Odile. Born blind and rejected by her father, Saint Odile’s life was transformed when she miraculously regained her sight after being baptized by Saint Erhard, Bishop of Regensburg. Her unwavering faith and strength led her to establish Hohenburg Abbey, where she became the abbess. Renowned for her many miraculous healings, particularly for restoring sight to the blind, Saint Odile became the patron saint of good eyesight and is venerated as the patroness of the region of Alsace.
The journey culminated at the abbey of Mount Sainte-Odile, which was built atop a third-century Roman fort. There, the group proudly raised the large red standard of the TFP and recited the Creed. As they stood overlooking the ocean of clouds and snowy treetops, it was a moment of deep spiritual reflection, unity, and a reaffirmation of their commitment to the Counter-Revolutionary cause, inspired by the courage and faith of Saint Odile.
Chivalry
After the hike, an experienced swordsman challenged the young men to step outside their comfort zones with a fencing course. While the sword may be obsolete in modern warfare, it remains a powerful symbol of manly virtues such as honor, justice, and strength—values that are crucial for those fighting to restore order and defend Christian civilization.
The fencing lessons were more than just an opportunity to learn a physical skill; they were a reminder of the chivalric ideal—courage, discipline, and a commitment to defend the good. The sword, as a symbol of the knightly virtues, encouraged the young men to cultivate these qualities both in battle and in everyday life.
Beyond the physical, intellectual, and spiritual activities of the symposium, another crucial aspect was the forging of new friendships. Meeting like-minded young people from across Europe, all united in their dedication to the Catholic cause, provided a significant morale boost. In a world increasingly hostile to faith and tradition, strong relationships among Catholic counter-revolutionaries are more essential than ever. The bonds formed during this symposium will not only serve to strengthen individual resolve but will also form the foundation of a united movement for the restoration of Christian civilization.
New Years Eve
Following an old custom in the Catholic Church, we ended the year singing a solemn Te Deum. From the last minutes of 2024 to the first moments of 2025 we prayed together the “Consecration to Jesus Christ through the hands of Mary Most Holy” by Saint Louis de Montfort, thus renewing our total commitment to Our Lord Jesus Christ through the hands of his Blessed Mother.
Then, as the first act of the year, we received the blessing of the Blessed Sacrament.
Once the ceremonies in the chapel were over, in the noble hall, with fireworks bursting outside, the ‘toast’ was given by a veteran TFP member looking back at a year of battles, hardships, friendships, and victories for the Catholic Cause.
Read also: Why Are We Defending a Decadent West?
A Student Action against Abortion in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Together We defend the Christian West
TFP Student Action Europe is launching a bold new offensive in 2025. Through lectures and studies, we delve deeper into the crisis we find ourselves in. We help students resist the woke madness and safeguard them from leftist indoctrination.
Read more about our plans HERE and how you can join our unique student movement to defend Christianity together in 2025!
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing!" - Edmund Burke
This year, we call on you to take action. Get involved in the battle for Christ in society and stand firm in the fight for the restoration of Christian Civilization. Join us, and let’s rise together to defend the Christian West in 2025!