Order of Lepanto: Martial Arts and Catholicism

Started by Ragnarok, July 21, 2021, 12:06:21 PM

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Ragnarok

https://orderoflepanto.com/

What we do – Swordsmanship
If you want to become a swordsman in the lineage of our ancient Catholic brothers – the Knights – you've come to the right place.  This group is the closest you are going to find in the 21st century, where the combination of martial arts and Catholicism are intertwined. We do not study theatrical fencing, where entertainment is the goal; nor do we study any form of sport fencing. Here you will learn the style of sword fighting used on the battlefields and dueling rings of Europe from the 13th to the 17th centuries combined with the spiritual combat teachings of the great saints of the Church.

Bladed combat hastened toward obsolescence with the advent of gunpowder and was helped along by the proliferation of armor. The techniques of the sword and other weapons were soon forgotten. They would have been lost completely had it not been for a few of the old masters who wrote manuals on their art.

As we rediscover and translate those old manuals in 14th and 15th century German, Italian and Latin, we are fascinated at the rich display of fighting techniques our ancestors used, as well as the complexity and completeness of their art. Please note that in the first paragraph we do not "teach" this art, we "study" it. The ancient fight manuals were not written for beginning students, nor is the written word a satisfactory substitute for a living teacher (think of golf; a pro can teach you the basics of a golf swing in a short time, but if you try to describe the act on paper, you will either find that you have missed many of the finer points, or you will write pages on even the simplest swing).

So, if you attend our training sessions, we will teach you what we know and have interpreted to date. It will not, however, be some dojo where you spend years always learning from the same black belt. Once you have developed an understanding and skill in the of the use of the longsword, you will be like the rest of us, on the path of constant learning and rediscovery of an ancient art.


What we do – Spiritual Warfare


Most people today would laugh at the very idea of Spiritual Warfare. Why?  Because many of the  enlightened people today don't believe in the existence of a spiritual reality, or a Jesus who actually performed miracles, or that the angels and demons are fighting all around us. However, spiritual combat between angels and demons for our souls is as much a reality as  the existence of your local parish building. One side wants to win the battle so that they can drag us down to hell for eternal damnation, and the other side wants to win to take us up to heaven for eternal bliss and happiness.  The demons are definitely an enemy to take seriously.

As we learn about spiritual realities and try to grow closer to God, we are tempted. Saint John Vianney said,

"The Devil only Tempts those Souls that wish to Abandon Sin, and those that are in a State of Grace. The others belong to him; he has no need to Tempt them.

The Greatest of all Evils is not to be Tempted, because there are then grounds for Believing, that the Devil looks upon us, as his Property"

By learning the lessons of the sword and Medieval and Renaissance martial arts, we grow in our ability to respond in a timely and effective manner. Our studies of spiritual warfare teach us about the content of our responses. When we combine these two aspects, we get the ability to respond quickly, decisively, and effectively. Additionally, as brothers-in-arms, we give each other support in our trials and help encourage each other to continue through our spiritual journey.

The Catholics on earth are often called the "Church Militant" as we are to fight a spiritual battle "against the principalities, with the powers, ...with the evil spirits in the heavens." Do not shirk your duty – stand and be counted with forces of light!

Curriculum
Basic Longsword Study
The longsword is the foundation for the new historical fencer in regards to combat with all Renaissance close-combat weapons. For this reason, all new members first study to develop core skills in basic and intermediate longsword techniques. Upon the successful demonstration of proficiency, the member will be allowed to test for his Knight Scholar ranking.

The Rosary, named by many as the preferred weapon of spiritual warfare, along with basic prayers and an understanding the power of sacraments and sacramentals, will be a key part of the training. We look to build core skills in these areas as much as in physical martial arts.

The ranking test will check for the candidate's familiarity and fluency in basic knowledge and techniques of swords and of the Catholic faith. The ranking member should expect to have to demonstrate any or all of the following:

Basic Stances and their German and English names.
Cutting Exercises
Basic Flouryshe
Explain the Order of Lepanto Study Approach and Training Methodology
History of the Rosary
Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy
Name at least 2 major works of spiritual warfare
Give the names & publication dates of at least three of the Fechtmeisters
Training of basic cuts, stances, and other historical fencing techniques is performed with a waster (wooden sword). Students will begin sparring using wooden weapons, and as they become more proficient with control of the weapon, they will be allowed to progress to sparring with blunted steel (See " A Few Words Regarding Sparring" below).

Additional Weapons
While the longsword is our foundational weapon, it is equally important for a martial artist to be exposed to different weapons and modes of combat, such as unarmed combat and unarmed vs. armed. The typical training warmup routine will remain based on the longsword throughout the year to develop fundamental skills, but the Group Study portion of training will vary throughout the year as we explore these alternatives. Sessions may cover single sword, sword & buckler, sword & dagger, rapier, messer, quarterstaff, dagger, grappling, or other possibilities as long as manuals are available for study.

Locations
We currently have 2 study groups in Texas and several others across the country in various stages of formation. You can check out our Study Group page for details about our official groups.

If your location is not listed, please contact us about formation. We can help you to get a study group up and running.


Ragnarok

While the group, to me, doesn't look that impressive compared to something like Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, HEMA, or even Traditional Asian Martial Arts (not Karate or Tae-Kwan-Do, but things like Wing Chun and Kendo), I found the concept interesting and I really think being healthy / staying in shape should be an important part of your spiritual growth, and wanted to open a discussion on the relationship between traditional Western martial arts, Traditional Catholic spirituality, and orders of monks like the Knights Templar, the Order of Malta, the Teutonic Order, etc.

Tennessean

I wasn't aware there were Catholic martial arts, now I've got this mental image of a priest doing kung fu. I think the best self-defense is situational awareness. Barring that... anything that can help you take on multiple people, with the goal of escaping. Real old school boxing, not pugilism, where you just have to outlast four or five others in a small "box" by any means, is the closest to real street fighting scenarios. Filipino martial arts mix grappling with stick and knife fighting. That's probably the most practical for defending yourself and loved ones, in places conceal carry is illegal, if you aren't built like a brick house.

Jayne

My husband used to go to HEMA https://historicaleuropeanmartialarts.com/ which I thought was very cool, but this sounds like a Catholic version.  That is even better.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Michael Wilson

Those guys are not wearing enough protective equipment for the weapons they are using.
"The World Must Conform to Our Lord and not He to it." Rev. Dennis Fahey CSSP

"My brothers, all of you, if you are condemned to see the triumph of evil, never applaud it. Never say to evil: you are good; to decadence: you are progess; to death: you are life. Sanctify yourselves in the times wherein God has placed you; bewail the evils and the disorders which God tolerates; oppose them with the energy of your works and your efforts, your life uncontaminated by error, free from being led astray, in such a way that having lived here below, united with the Spirit of the Lord, you will be admitted to be made but one with Him forever and ever: But he who is joined to the Lord is one in spirit." Cardinal Pie of Potiers

Tennessean

Quote from: Michael Wilson on July 21, 2021, 03:51:55 PM
Those guys are not wearing enough protective equipment for the weapons they are using.
They are so calloused they don't feel anything anymore.

Michael Wilson

Quote from: Tennessean on July 21, 2021, 08:16:46 PM
Quote from: Michael Wilson on July 21, 2021, 03:51:55 PM
Those guys are not wearing enough protective equipment for the weapons they are using.
They are so calloused they don't feel anything anymore.
Maybe that is why the Order doesn't grow in spite of adding new members all the time.
"The World Must Conform to Our Lord and not He to it." Rev. Dennis Fahey CSSP

"My brothers, all of you, if you are condemned to see the triumph of evil, never applaud it. Never say to evil: you are good; to decadence: you are progess; to death: you are life. Sanctify yourselves in the times wherein God has placed you; bewail the evils and the disorders which God tolerates; oppose them with the energy of your works and your efforts, your life uncontaminated by error, free from being led astray, in such a way that having lived here below, united with the Spirit of the Lord, you will be admitted to be made but one with Him forever and ever: But he who is joined to the Lord is one in spirit." Cardinal Pie of Potiers

MaximGun

Americans are not even using the 200 million guns to take back their country from a communist takeover.

What good is twirling swords going to do?

Tennessean

Quote from: MaximGun on July 22, 2021, 02:35:14 PM
Americans are not even using the 200 million guns to take back their country from a communist takeover.

What good is twirling swords going to do?
Exactly lol

Ragnarok

#9
Quote from: MaximGun on July 22, 2021, 02:35:14 PM
Americans are not even using the 200 million guns to take back their country from a communist takeover.

What good is twirling swords going to do?

Physical fitness? Certainly beats eating McChickens after watching a Marvel movie where Scarlett Johansson wears a skin tight suit while spewing feminist propaganda

Also, real traditional sword-fighting (perhaps not this kind; something like Kendo, Kumdo, Fencing, a good HEMA club, etc.) really speeds up reflexes.

HEMA


Kumdo



I personally think a more practical martial art is better (like Krav Maga, Wing Chun, Thai Kickboxing, or Judo), but don't think "sword twirling" doesn't take a lot of physical energy

MaximGun

As a physically fit slave the slave masters will simply get more work out of you.

clau clau

Father time has an undefeated record.

But when he's dumb and no more here,
Nineteen hundred years or near,
Clau-Clau-Claudius shall speak clear.
(https://completeandunabridged.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-claudius.html)

Ragnarok

Quote from: MaximGun on July 22, 2021, 10:30:08 PM
As a physically fit slave the slave masters will simply get more work out of you.

Excuses for laziness.

If it wasn't obvious, the real show runners want you to be docile little cattle, incapable of any leadership. When the time to fight shows up, what will you do if you aren't ready?

Tennessean

Quote from: Ragnarok on July 23, 2021, 10:23:49 AM
Quote from: MaximGun on July 22, 2021, 10:30:08 PM
As a physically fit slave the slave masters will simply get more work out of you.

Excuses for laziness.

If it wasn't obvious, the real show runners want you to be docile little cattle, incapable of any leadership. When the time to fight shows up, what will you do if you aren't ready?
At the very least, one's supervisor isn't likely taking out his bad days on a man with bigger shoulders than his. Unless he's a real hardass, or can go hide in a corner.

MaximGun

Quote from: Ragnarok on July 23, 2021, 10:23:49 AM

Excuses for laziness.

If it wasn't obvious, the real show runners want you to be docile little cattle, incapable of any leadership. When the time to fight shows up, what will you do if you aren't ready?

That time has passed on November 4th 2020.

You are going to do nothing with a pointy stick.  You'll just be shot down or tazed and thrown into jail.