“For God, Honor and Country!” Young Men Answer the Call to Chivalry at TFP Summer Camps
Was it the meetings, the lively conversations during meals, or the making of new friends? Was it the hardy outdoor games, the highly competitive tournaments, the treasure hunt, or the summer nights eatings ’mores while listening to gripping stories around a roaring campfire? Was it the daily Rosary cortege, the colorful pro-life street campaign, or the solemn all-night vigil before a relic of the True Cross? With so many activities, it is difficult to decide which part of this year’s Call to Chivalry summer camp was the favorite. For the dozens of boys and fathers who trooped to St. Louis de Montfort Academy in Herndon, Pennsylvania from June 1-9, it felt like the time went by all too quickly.
The 2022 Pennsylvania Call to Chivalry Camp was one of several held by the American TFP across the country. In the midst of a crisis of manliness and the widespread corruption of America’s youth, these camps aim to form Catholic heroes and leaders for tomorrow. In an atmosphere blending gentlemanly courtesy with Catholic piety and militancy, boys are taught to love their Faith, to zealously promote it, and to go against the grain when it is trendy to be vulgar and egoistic. These camps have proven time and time again to be a great success, attracting hundreds of boys who thirst for the ideals of Catholic chivalry.
A unique custom of every TFP camp is to have a theme centered around the Catholic history and culture of a particular country. Thus the focus of this year’s camps was Austria-Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire. There was no shortage of role models as the boys heard about the exploits of King Saint Stephen of Hungary, Saint Clement Mary Hofbaur, Eugene of Savoy, Andreas Hofer, and so many others. Presentations about the sieges of Vienna, Belgrade, and Buda explained in gripping detail how Catholics heroically fought against desperate odds to prevent the Muslim Ottomans from conquering Christendom. To get a taste of Austrian culture, participants were treated to an authentic Austrian dinner. On the menu was wiener schnitzel, sauerkraut, spaetzle, and for dessert, an elegant and luscious sachertorte, or Viennese chocolate cake.
The final day of the camp was highlighted by the customary medieval games, obstacle course, solemn Rosary procession, and the final medieval banquet. Dressed in their best attire, the boys enjoyed many sumptuous dishes including a magnificent castle cake. Prizes were awarded to the tournament winners and a beautiful keepsake was given to each participant to take home.
Despite the rising tide of secularism and neopaganism in our times, these camps continue to be in high demand and, therefore, offer a glimmer of hope in Our Lady’s coming triumph. May the Blessed Mother raise up a new generation of Catholic heroes to fight the good fight for the conversion of America and the world.
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