Challenge Accepted, ISIS
The barbaric Islamic cowards of ISIS have threatened our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and have vowed to “conquer Rome”. The Pontifical Swiss Guard have accepted the challenge of defending him. Threats from Muslims against Christianity, and specifically against the Papacy, certainly aren’t new. Many have been actualized over the years, and many more will most assuredly come. However, the Commander of the Swiss Guard isn’t backing down, and says that the Swiss Guard are on high alert and are ready.
Since the assassination attempt of St. John Paul the Great (Pope John Paul II) in 1981, the security measures of not only the Swiss Guard, but also of the Vatican Police, known as the Corps of Gendarmes, have been significantly heightened. Slight changes were made when Francis was elected, but the world can be assured that the Swiss Guard are prepared.
TrueManhood requires that a man defend the common good. It goes without saying that defending the Holy Father is a good thing, and these incredible elite soldiers who make up the Swiss Guard are assigned to a very good task. When it comes to this good task, I wish I were younger, single, and Swiss – but alas, I’m older than the cutoff, married, and Italian (and Irish, Polish, & Czech).
The young men that make up the world’s smallest army must be between the ages of 19 and 30, at least 5’8.5″ tall, single, a practicing Catholic, and trained in the Swiss Army. Don’t let their Renaissance-esque uniforms fool you – they are trained warriors and ready for the battle. They train in unarmed combat, small arms, and are proficient with their pike and sword. Here’s the oath they swear on May 6th (each time a recruit becomes a Swiss Guard):
“I swear I will faithfully, loyally, and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff Francis and his legitimate successors, and also dedicate myself to them with all my strength, sacrificing if necessary also my life to defend them. I assume this same commitment with regard to the Sacred College of Cardinals whenever the See if vacant. Furthermore I promise to the Commanding Captain and my other superiors, respect, fidelity and obedience. This I swear! May God and our Holy Patrons assist me!”
Sheer awesomeness – an oath of self-giving, self-sacrifice, and overflowing with the virtue of magnanimity! And I can guarantee that these men don’t take this oath lightly – a true and holy honor to protect the Vicar of Christ. This sort of attitude flies in the face of cultural manliness and stands for authentic manliness – TrueManhood! We here at TrueManhood are proud of these men and so grateful to have them among the ranks who will be the first to defend Mother Church and our Holy Father.
Click Here a news story from Catholic News Agency.
TrueMan up!
Army Soldiers and Families vs. “Adult” Store
I recently heard about this story from Leavenworth, KS – not far from my college alma mater, Benedictine College in Atchison, KS.
It’s great to know that Army soldiers are standing against this garbage when so often military men have a reputation for being some of the main consumers of pornography. Here’s part of the story from the American Family Association:
“Another Kansas community has been surprised by the opening of a new pornography outlet. This time the ambush is at the front gate of historic Ft. Leavenworth KS. Army families and the community are shocked at what was to be a book store but turned out to be a sexually oriented business (SOB).
The soldiers of the community, be they in uniform or civilians, are not taking this ambush lightly. They have launched “OPERATION GATE KEEPER”. They recently begin their public protest in front of the porn shop. They are also gathering signatures to seat a grand jury to investigate possible violations of the Kansas obscenity law and the community standards of Leavenworth. The law is actually categorized under “Crimes against the Public Morals” … PUBLIC MORALS, now there is a “throwback” phrase not often heard!!!
Their public protest, to raise awareness ALREADY PASSED. It is in front of Cirilla’s , which is directly across from the post front gate. You are welcome to make a sign and join these soldiers in their efforts.
Soldiers take an oath to defend the constitution from all enemies be they foreign or domestic. It is their belief that the laws of the land and the moral fabric of all American communities are under assault by the sexualizing of the culture. Cyber porn is surely taking it toll but these brick and mortar porn shops are part of the issue and a place that the law still has an effect.”
The Rosary – A Life Saver
Glenn Hockton, a 19 year old British soldier, claims that a rosary saved his life in battle while deployed to the Middle East. The rosary was a gift from his mother “for protection”. Apparently, Glenn noticed that the rosary he had around his neck had fallen off and so he bent down to pick it up. At that time, he noticed that he was standing on a land mine. He stood on the mine for 45 minutes while his fellow soldiers disarmed it.
I normally wouldn’t write about anything British, but I found this story interesting. Hockton claims to also have been shot on a previous deployment, although that time, his body armor saved his life.
The power of the Rosary is incredible. For those who don’t know, it’s a mixture of repetitive prayer mixed with meditative prayer. The repetitive prayers are mostly made up of the Hail Mary (all Scriptural, by the way) and the meditative prayers are made up of thinking about (aka: meditating on) the various periods of Christ’s life; ie, the Incarnation and His childhood, then the heart of His ministry, then His passion & death and then the Resurrection and Heavenly imagery of Mary’s Queenship, as Queen Mother (also Scriptural). The Rosary is an incredible prayer and has played a role in the conversion of many hearts, including mine. I urge you to dive into the Rosary and see what happens!
Back to the story of Glenn Hockton… his great-grandfather, a soldier in the British military, also claims to have been saved in battle during WWII by the rosary. Interestingly enough, Hockton’s great-grandfather’s last name was Truman (TrueMan).
TrueMan up!
Video on Frontline Faith Project
Check this video for more on the Frontline Faith Project. Your donation of $24 (or more) can go to get this invaluable mp3 player in the hands of our heroes. If you can’t view the video, click HERE.
What will you do for the soul of a soldier?
TrueMan up!
Spiritual Help for our Heroes – Frontline Faith Project
Recently, I came across an awesome apostolate called Frontline Faith. Visit them HERE. In short, what they do is supply our service men and women, serving in deployed locations, with Catholic content on mp3 players.
“The FRONTLINE FAITH™ Project delivers MP3 players preloaded with spiritual content, especially as it pertains to military service, to members of our armed forces currently deployed or returning from deployment, with special emphasis on injured troops and troops stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
What will you do for the soul of one soldier? Please support Frontline Faith and their work by donating $24 (or more). To donate, click HERE. It takes people with vision to serve those in need. Our deployed soldiers, as well as those who have been or are going to be deployed, need our prayers, support and acts of kindness. They sacrifice their well-being, their comfort, their families, their children, their spouse and sometimes their lives so that we can be free. To our service men and women of all of the branches of the military, thank you!
Home of the free, because of the brave.
Cheri, Sheila and the rest of the team at Frontline Faith… keep up the great work!
TrueMan up!
Memorial Day 2010
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It is the It is It is It is It is
It is the It is |
Camouflage and Christmas Lights
Please take a moment to watch the following video. Even more important than the pictures, are the words to the song. The song “Camouflage and Christmas Lights” is sung by Rodney Carrington. Typically, I do not recommend his stuff, as it is usually vulgar and crude, however, this song is well-worth passing along.
I want to thank my brother (unnamed) for what he does for all of us. He’s deployed now, for the third time, and will be away from home for Christmas. Come home soon, bro.
A great friend of mine is also deployed, and will be missing Christmas with his wife and daughters. Justin, be safe.
To all our service men and women, a sincere thank you.
Man up!
