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In sight of the new Economic Depression, some of us have turned to more tradional ways of making a living.
After recovering from the K of L Encampment on Monday morning, we attended an afternoon Mass with our good friend Fr. Kachel before heading home, later deciding to head out to the theater with my brother and cousin. The question settling on Night at the Museum 2, or Terminator Salvation. Being a guy, and wanting to make the best of my $6.50 ticket, (aka, great special effects, surround sound, and action) I went with the latter.
A big step from the original Terminator series, as we are propelled into the future. The year is 2018. The world devestated by Judgmant Day. Small pockets of the human resistance struggle to fight against the ever growing and destructive robotic Artificial Intelligence force known as Skynet.
The plot focuses around the hero of the Terminator Anthology, John Connor, who is the future leader of mankind’s resistance against Skynet. Terminator: Salvation follows the path of John Connor as he commands a small branch of the resistance in what appears a final assault which will terminate Skynet’s control.
Also on the scene is Marcus Wright, a inmate on death row in 2003 who submits his body for experimenation, which he is informed will give him that ’second chance’ at life. This second chance turns out to be nothing more than an experimental project of binding a human being to robotic parts. (Much like Star Wars’ General Grievous.) Wright is both accepted and rejected by different members of the resistance, some characters seeing his intricately human nature, while others fear he is simply an infiltration device sent by Skynet. Both are correct. As Skynet, having taken over all tecnology is able to use Marcus robotic side as a spy.
The film ends with Marcus Wright lending his heart to an critically wounded John Connor, echoing the message of a Second Chance. Another interesting prospect of the film is how they place a value on human nature. In one scene, the Resistance are planning a strike on the Skynet headquarters, which has been collecting human prisoners. John Connor argues that there is a chance to rescue those prisoners, yet the leaders of the Resistance continue in their plan, stating that “There are casualties in war.” Implying that they will continue the attack regardless of the loss of the human prisoners. To this John Connor replies, saying that if they engage in an attack like that, they are no better than the machines they are fighting. An interesting prospect, considering we are so often caught up fighting our own ‘enemies’ that we often fail to realize that we become what we so ardently fight.
The film has some mild language throughout, and a cameo by a CGI rendered Arnold, so keep an eye open for him! 
This past weekend was the Knights of Lepanto Spring Encampment, spanning over Memorial Day weekend. The events were a success as they followed the similiar course of the past several years though this time recieving a larger and more varied audience, some families coming from as far as PA.
Embedded above is my very own inititiation into the Knights of Lepanto with my good friend Adam Girard. I hope you enjoy! Keep us both in your prayers!
This isn’t going to explore a new branch of Medieval Conspiracy about the Knights Templar, nor is it an exploration of the Code of Courtly Love which predominated European Literature; rather, I am taking this as a step from the obvious and most reconcilable ideas of Knighthood and Chivalry and focusing on something deeper and more profound. Something which historians and experts have barely scratched the surface of, if indeed even opening up this new idea of what essentially is: The Secret of Knighthood.
The word Chivalry, and the terminology often associated with it derive from the French word Chevalier, which in translated means a mounted knight. Over time, this word Chevalier became acquainted with the manner and conduct of such mounted knights, who were beckoned by the Church to Defend the Poor, Weak, and Defenseless.
Chivalry was a way of life for the upper class in the Medieval past, guiding men along the lines of propriety and social expectation. That is, men who were powerful and had the means to defend, were looked at to defend those who were unable to do so themselves. Hence the entire idea of the Feudal System: A Lord, who through power or ability ruled a certain amount of land, recruited the local populace to work for him and his needs, and in return, would provide military protection of their welfare in time of need.
The idea was quite simple and easy to understand, that those who had the ability to defend the weak and defenseless had the obligation of doing so.
But alas, human nature is corrupt, and twisted from its true origins by means of original sin. Thus, all that starts off as something good often extends itself to improper and often selfish means. Chivalry became a means to abuse the norms of proper virtue for the sake of personal glory and vice. Generosity was rewarded with the praise and lavish decor of this world; courtesy towards women was often engaged into a means of flattery and deception, its main intention being to entice women to illicit affairs; courage and honor in themselves becoming more and more an arrogant pride, the cause of many wars and suffering for the peoples of Christendom.
This being said, we must bring this into question read more…
Father Angelo’s talk to the older teens at the encampment.
It’s finally that time of year again. The Spring Encampment for the Knights of Lepanto.
The Knights of Lepanto started out as a men’s group under the foundation of Father Angelo as a branch off of the MIM (Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix) particularly devoting itself the spirituality and cultivation of men and their manly virtues. Namely those of the lost ideal of Chivalry.
As religion tends to lean towards a feminine nature (prayer, devotion, etc), Father Angelo hoped to instill in men a deeper love of their Faith, enabling them to channel that Faith into something more reasonable and adaptable to their masculine nature: Action.
Like the warrior monk knights of old, (Templars and Hospitallers), the Knights of Lepanto incorporate a rigid and stern approach to spirituality, while enabling the men to take Catholic Action. Whether it be aggression or defense, but namely, protecting the home and Holy Mother Church from foreign attack. (The Atheists, Secular movement, etc.)
The Knights of Lepanto Encampents incorporate both these aspects of (as Father calls it) Marian Chivalry, where the Fathers and Sons come together to grow in both Faith, Body, and Spirit. From Archery, Fencing, Obstacle Course, and First Aid Classes, the boys are tought the necessities to ‘stay alive’ on their own out in the world, preparing them for their own futures as ‘real’ men. While the Franciscans provide the Spiritual Basis, by running a ‘Catechism Boot Camp’ where the young men are put through a trial of ‘Faith By Fire.’
Mr. Thomas Girard (Former Grand Marshal of the Encampments) gives a talk here with Friar Roderic of AirMaria’s Roving Reporter series on what the Encampment contains, yet more importantly, the message it stresses to Fathers and Sons.
There is an honor to be found in men. Glory to be found in war. This video is a little proof. Very well done, I personally enjoy how the maker interwined the audio with the scenes. But alas, there is a little more I would like to discuss.
The nature of war has been debated for 1,000’s of years, especially in the Catholic Church, when questioning the morality of man slaying his fellow man. The idea of war as something glorious (and honorable) reflects the ideals of chivalry, which, summed up, reflect a defination put forth by Scott Farrell, “The Choice to do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right times.” Justified warfare is what men find honorable, if not virtuous. Why? Due to the nature of man himself.
Man was created in the image and likeness of God, also with the intention of being virtuous and righteous. It was only after the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, that virtue become something to strive for, as it had been lost with the sin of our forefather Adam.
Cain brought with himself the first kinslaying, which has grown over time from murder over jealousy, to wars afflicting those members of our society who are innocent and incapable of their own defense. Hence the justifications for a just war.
The idea of man devoting himself to a noble cause has always existed, even among the pagan and un-Christian societies of the world. The Japanese Samuri had a code of conduct and honor upon the battlefield; Saladin, our Muslum contemptuary in the Middle East during the latter half of the 12th Century also had a code of ‘Chivalry’ on the battlefield. He had a honorable respect for his adversary Kings, though his treatment of prisoners is quite questionable.
War in defense of the weak and innocent has always been justified, if not endorsed by Holy Mother Church Herself, especially during the Middle Ages. Those Ages when the sword was often the only means of making a point (pun intended) in politics. Europe, having been formed from teh shards of the Roman Empire, and populated by the migrating Barbarian Hordes, needed to be Christianized from its hedonistic and inhumane ways. Thus the reason to take up arms not for personal gain, nor for political advantage, but for the defense of homeland.
Since war is the greatest of evils (outside of sin), and has been called by Our Blessed Mother “The punishment for Sin,” it must be avoided at all costs. Especially in this modern world where the innocent often suffer more from war than the guilty. Hence giving reason for the Church to stress the utter importance of just ramificiations to enter into warfare.
Some of these reasons include:
Defense of Freedom and National Security. (A nearby enemy who threatens one’s country with war, thus rending a justifiable offensive defense.)
War to protect another weak or innocent nation. (often it comes that another country is at the mercy of a more powerful one. In certain instances, we are called to rise to arms to defend that nation from the oppression of another.)
And finally, sometimes we are called to war in the name of God. (No, I’m not talking about the Religious fanatacism of Islam, but rather the defense of our homeland and religious liberty, which may be threatened by Government or power.)
I would like to close this post with a little video clip from The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Edition. The scene is from the Rohirrim Camp before they ride off to face the hordes of Mordor. Here, Eomer gives an impressionable idea of WHY war is the province of men.
Its with great excitement that I announce the release of the much anticipated Fan Film, the Hunt for Gollum. Put together in England by a group of Tolkien fans on a $4000 Budget, The Hunt for Gollum takes the view on and imaginary journey through Middle Earth in this Short Prequel to The Fellowship of the Ring.
Great Costumes and special effects adorn the film as we depart on a journey from the village of Bree in North-Western Middle Earth all the way East to the Far Eastern Lands of the Anduin Valley. The film surprisingly surpassed my expectations, particularly in regards to how the direct was able to capture the imagination of Peter Jackson’s Trilogy; in fact, it gave me hope for upcoming director Guillierimo Del Toro’s adaption of The Hobbit set for release in 2012. The ability to adapt a story, while keeping in touch with a former story’s beauty is a difficult task that every director of a sequel/prequel must encounter, and hopefully conquer. I only hope that Jackson’s works will not become objects for imitation, but rather, lessons to be learn and expanded upon. As I mentioned above, The Hunt for Gollum surpassed my expectations, being able to use alternate actors in place of Aragorn, Gandalf, and even Smeagol, without taking away from the story. Of course we all will cherish the acting from the Rings Trilogy, but excellent film making can accommodate for a change in actors.
Another pointer worth mentioning is the original score, composed specifically for this film. We often hear interlopes of familiar themes based off of Howard Shore’s Masterpiece collection, such as the Mordor Theme, and often enough, faint variations of Emiliana Torrini’s Gollum’s Song.
Runtime for the film is about 40 minutes, so I suggest you take the time to sit back and enjoy the film. It is definitely worth your time! The video is embedded below!
