A Call to Chivalry in Ireland
From July 19th to July 25th Irish Society for Christian Civilisation hosted its third Summer Camp for fathers and sons. The program was held once again on the grounds of the beautiful and majestic Mount St. Joseph’s Cistercian Abbey in Roscrea. As in previous camps the course entailed outings to historic places of Christian civilisation, talks on doctrinal and historical topics, as well as wholesome recreation.
During the course of the camp we were honoured to have the sacraments regularly, and daily Mass. The camp ended with a magnificent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Fortified by the Eucharist, the tone of the camp was always elevated with a good deal of camaraderie among its participants. Enrolment in the brown scapular was a highlight for those who had not previously been enrolled in this ancient devotion. The enrolment played an important part in one of the goals of the camp, to promote devotion to Our Lady and have Her at the centre of all our endeavours.
During the camp, the boys were often nourished with the sacraments.
The Rosary was also part of the schedule near the end of each day, with the singing Salve Regina as the boys’ final prayer before retiring.
The camp began on Sunday night with a talk by Mr. Byron Whitcraft on the topic of Chivalry, including an explanation of the Ten Commandments of Chivalry. During the talk the participants were called to a Crusade, not of arms as in the past, but of ideas to confront the neo-pagan tendencies of today’s secular and materialistic world. Taking the principles of Medieval Knighthood, Mr. Whitcraft explained how a young man today could be courageous in standing up for Catholic principles. In addition to this Mr. Whitcraft used a lecture given by the great Catholic leader, Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, to illustrate these points in the person of Charlemagne. During the following days Mr. Whitcraft gave talks on good manners, the principles of Dress, true piety and the fight between good and evil throughout history.
Later in the week Mr. Julio Loredo gave a brilliant analysis of the Revolutionary process that is aiming to destroy Christian civilisation, showing how this process is already centuries old. He demonstrated clearly and precisely how the God-centred Christian society of the Middle Ages has been decaying in several stages, reaching its worst phase in our own troubled times. He proved this through a series of quotations, video clips and slides which made the meetings both interesting and highly convincing. He quoted several authors and studies, in particular the work Revolution and Counter Revolution by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. Using slides and video clips, he analysed schools of art, fashions, dances and ways of being throughout history, illustrating an ever-subtle change in mentality. Man developed an excessive tendency to focus on this world, and no longer on his final destiny with God.
Educational meetings were an important part of each day.
He also analysed the same process through revolutionary historical figures, such as, Luther, Danton and Lenin. This was further illustrated in a Chinese shadow skit, played by some of the young participants of the camp, and very much appreciated by everyone.
The meetings were informative and gave the participants good tools to help them to face the modern crisis with courage and conviction.
Mr. Neil McKay gave an enlightening presentation on the Medieval Spirit. His PowerPoint presentation analysed the Christian Spirit of the medieval world, and how our own culture today is so removed from that. He proved that the thought of great thinkers like St. Thomas Aquinas was prevalent in all aspects of life in the Middle Ages. His presentation included pictures of art from Medieval times, and so called art and architecture of our own day. He explained why some of these buildings and works of “art” are offensive to God.
Camp participants thoroughly enjoyed the camp's many outings.
During the camp participants travelled to places of historic interest, one of which was the ruins of the monastery of Clonmacnoise, founded in the sixth century by St. Ciaran. Among the remains of seven churches, two round towers and three Celtic high crosses, there was an imponderable of ancient monks bringing Christianity to the pagan tribes of Ireland. This atmosphere permeated Clonmacnoise and complemented perfectly the series of talks given during the Summer Camp. The outing continued, on the same day, to Birr Castle with its majestic gardens. Even though the castle is privately owned and cannot be toured, just to see it and its extensive gardens is well worthwhile. The gardens include a variety of trees from around the world and what had been the largest telescope in the world during a period of over seventy years. The telescope was constructed by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840’s. Other outings during the week included visits to Portumna Castle, Portumna Abbey and Redwood Castle.
If what has already been mentioned was not enough to fill almost a week, there were also outdoor games, a treasure hunt and board games during a few spare moments. The last day of the program held the customary Medieval games and Medieval banquet. Heavy rain only slightly hindered the games, which went ahead as scheduled. The participants donned their colourful scapulars and proceeded to play in a chivalrous fashion.
Outdoor games are always a big hit with camp participants
When the games were over both the victorious and the vanquished proceeded to the Guest House of the Monastery for the Medieval Banquet, during which all were honoured by the presence of the newly elected Abbot, Dom. Richard Purcell, together with a visiting French Dominican priest, Fr. Jean Bertrand. After the Abbot led the prayers, and while the meal was being served, there was a slide show of scenes from the camp. The parents who were present enjoyed the presentation as well as the meal, the finishing touch of which was a delicious chocolate cake made in the shape of a castle.
Thankfully newly elected Abbot, Dom. Richard Purcell, attended the medieval games and banquet.
A fine letter opener, like a miniature Medieval Crusader’s sword, was given as a souvenir and a symbol of militancy to all the participants of the 2009 Irish Summer Camp. The day ended with a colourful candle-lit and torch-lit Rosary procession in honour of Our Lady, through whom the entire program was made possible. After the procession, Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was held with great splendour in the Chapel.
After a final breakfast the next morning the participants travelled back to their homes. Even though it was sad to see them go the atmosphere was filled with gratitude for the blessings that God had bestowed upon the camp. Each one left with solid principles to help him to act in defence of Christian civilisation. When thinking about the blessings of the camp a quote from the great Marian saint, St. Louis de Montfort, comes to mind in this quest for a truly Christian society:
“And we, great God! Although there is so much glory and profit, so much sweetness and so many advantages to be gained by serving Thee, shall there be so few to take up Thy cause? Hardly any soldiers under Thy banner! Hardly a St. Michael to proclaim among Thy brethren in zeal for Thy glory: Who is like unto God?”
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