Pilgrimage To Our Lady of Good Success, Quito, Ecuador

Once in a while, as part of our youth outreach programs, we are asked to travel with a group of boys on pilgrimages, camping trips, road trips or what have you. From January 24 to February 4, I accompanied a group of boys on a pilgrimage to see Our Lady of Good Success in Quito, Ecuador and to Our Lady of Las Lajas in Colombia.

The trip was extremely blessed and I believe the boys received singular graces during that trip. 

Our Lady of Good Success is probably the most miraculous statue of Our Lady and the apparition reveals many prophecies about our times. We had the honor of being there to promote the Rosary of the Dawn celebrating her main feastday on February 2. This rosary procession is at 5:00 in the morning. It starts in the dark but ends at the beginning of sunrise. There were about 15,000 people in the procession. It was very beautiful and very solemn.

You can see a video of it below. The video is published by our sister organization in Ecuador.

We would like to share the excitement, the adventures, the discoveries and above all the blessings of our trip.

This first clip shows our first few days there. You can see us passing out flyers inviting people to join us for the Rosary of the Dawn. The boys spoke little Spanish so they had to memorize a few phrases. Passing out flyers under the blazing heat of the Quito Sun is challenging especially when you know little Spanish. We did our best though. This was our the main purpose of our trip. In this clip you can also see us praying in the Church where the statue of Our Lady is Good Success is kept when she is lowered for public display. During the year, she is kept at the upper choir loft toward the back of the Church (visible in the video). Because we spend the day passing out flyers, the nuns let us have alone time with Our Lady of Good Success when the church is closed for the public.

Some have criticized us for not spending more time praying in front of Our Lady during the day. Yes, we agree it is unfortunate that we have to be the Martha's passing out the invitations so people will come for the Rosary of the Dawn. Our hard work payed off though. When the TFP started this in 1999, only 35 showed up for the procession. Now it has grown to 15,000. This is mainly due to the flyering effort weeks leading to the procession. 

http://premiereclip.adobe.com/videos/54DnI2Uy5Eh 

In this second clip you can see us passing out more flyers. The boys are more comfortable interacting with the locals. A few got interviewed for a class project. Several of us went around the town shouting the invitations using megaphones. This is a very unique method of getting the news out. We do this because there is a law that prohibits passing out any literature in the streets. Ecuador is a very socialist country. So, to get around this limitation, we go in the streets "proclaiming" the time, place and date of the event inviting people to come. Mattew Z., one of the American boys, decided to try it out and it wasn't too bad, especially considering he doesn't speak Spanish. In this clip too, you can see some of the sweets peddled in the street. We saw this man walking around with what looked like a propane tank and a large bottle of ketchup. We had a laugh at it imagining what could possibly be inside the propane tank. "Sure," one of the boys noted, "why wouldn't anyone want a serving of propane and ketchup." So the dare was placed and whoever saw it next had to try it out. Stephen H. ended up being the guinea pig. It wasn't too bad. It tasted like very fluffy cookie dough. Then at the end of the video clip you can see us visiting Our Lady of Panecilla, also called Our Lady of the Apocalypse. It stands a few hundred feet tall in a commanding hill over the city of Quito. Fantastic!

http://premiereclip.adobe.com/videos/GxC7MxjpSsH 

In this next clip, you will see us taking a very adventurous, but entirely safe, trip to Las Lajas, Colombia where this jewel of a shrine is situated. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Las Lajas, one of the most marvelous miracles of Our Lady. Mary and the infant Jesus appeared to an Indian women, healed her deaf and mute child and somehow imprinted their image onto the cliff face. Right into the cliff face. The miracle was soon recognized and a chapel was built. Later the chapel was expanded during the time of Pope Pius IX and it's final expansion was during the reign of Pope Pius XII. The shrine is built inside a 300 foot ravine. Unbelievable. The pigmentation of the image goes deep into the bedrock of the cliff face. This means that every time erosion happens and parts of the rock fall off, the image is always preserved behind it. It is said at one point, they drilled into the bedrock to see how deep the pigmentation goes and it goes deeper than 6 feet.

One of the boys commented that it was the most beautiful image of Our Lady he had ever seen and is not his most favorite.

http://premiereclip.adobe.com/videos/Mw9WKBqLRXb 

This next video is more of our street campaigns and megaphone campaigns. Also, we visited the presidential lancer guards. We also visited the incorrupt nuns of the convent. They have 9 incorrupt bodies including all the foundresses and the main visionary, Sr. Mariana de Jesus Torres.

http://premiereclip.adobe.com/videos/ErjVS8XLnsU 

Lastly, this next video clip encapsulates the trip and a few of the reflections we had during that time. The music and narration is by Stephen H. The text and video editing is done by yours truly. It shows different aspects of our trip and it shows us helping move the statue back to the upper choir loft. 

We were fortunate that our little group got along well together. Nothing worse than going in a trip where you can't stand being with people. It is my opinion that we all received singular graces. I hope this video is as inspirational to everyone who sees it as it was for us to be there. 

We pray that it provides an idea of the different programs we run with our Call To Chivalry Programs. It is not only about the Summer camps.

We hope you can join us in a future pilgrimage. God bless.

A Call To Arms In Defense of the Faith and the Family

Dear Friends,

This is a call to arms to everyone who wants to defend the faith and the family. In Sr. Lucia of Fatima's last memoir, published by her convent, she said that the devil's last attack will focus on the family. How true is it that decades later we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy.

On March 22, Fr. James Martin, S.J. is giving a talk. He is nicknamed by some as the Rainbow Jesuit. He is the principal Jesuit figurehead promoting the full acceptance of the LGBTQ community in the Catholic church. Here is some information on this:https://www.tfpstudentaction.org/blog/fr-james-martin-is-harming-the-catholic-faith. 

The LGBTQ agenda is being promoted inside the Catholic Church! This is an attack both to Catholic morality and the family. There are very few times when we can voice our concerns publicly regarding this issue. This will be a unique opportunity.

Will you join us for a rosary rally against this attack on the faith and  family? The TFP and America Needs Fatima is sponsoring a rosary rally on March 22 (Thursday), from 6:00 to 7:30, across the street from Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

We will provide free transportation from Milwaukee. A bus will be leaving at 3:30 at the College Ave. Southwest Park and Ride near the Mitchell Airport and returning at around 9:30 on March 22. For those who are coming from the Northwest Suburbs and would rather join us in the bus so you don't have to go through the trouble to park, we can make a pit stop at the Jefferson Metra Park and Ride on Northwest Highway at the intersection of Milwaukee Ave. at around 5:00.

I am aware that this will be a sacrifice for most families. I am aware many might have to take off work early. I am aware that Chicago is a scary city to go.

A rosary rally is a form of sacrifice. However you can take pride that, if you will go, it will be a badge of honor. When many did not speak up, you will be one of the few faithful who did.

Homosexuality is one of the few sins that cry out to Heaven for vengeance. It is a travesty that it is being promoted as a "gift" and that homosexuals should be accepted into the fold without condition of conversion. This is what is being promoted by Fr. James Martin. He seems to have the full support of the liberal Jesuits behind him.

We hope to have about 100 people there. We will be the Davids facing against Goliath. We will be Gideon's army of 300 against the Phiilistine's 100,000. We will be Our Lady's underdogs against one of the proverbial heads of the beast of the apocalypse.

So much to defend. So much honor to be gained. So much service to be rendered to Holy Mother Church.

Will you please join us?

Please contact me to reserve your space in the bus, to let us know you are going or for any questions at 717-903-5874 or to this email, rexteodosio@gmail.com.

I pray that this plea will resound in your hearts. Please rally for the faith and for the family. Please spread the word around.

In Jesus and Mary,

Rex Teodosio

Videos from the TFP Student Action Fall Caravan 2017

During our last National Conference in Spring Grove, PA, on October, members of the TFP Student Action and some students from the TFP's St. Louis de Montfort Academy went out on caravan. Here are two videos made of this epic caravan.

This first one shows some of the volunteers. Some are quite young. Most are college age. Some begin the trip timid but eventually lose their timidity and begin to relish the joy of a good street debate.

This second video shows the reaction of college students who were "triggered" by our presence, especially by the sign you see the behind these two fine ladies. It says; "Smile. You survived abortion." For some reason, that phrase really triggered some liberal college students.

Some may not be familiar with TFP terminologies. So let me define a few things.

What is St. Louis de Montfort Academy?

For those who don't know, the TFP runs and staffs a boarding school, grade 8 to 12. It is located in Herndon, PA. It is a select group of boys who like our Call To Chivalry Camp and the type of Catholic environment that is unique to the TFP. What makes it unique is the militant Catholic spirit. Our goal is not to make good little boys who are easily trampled by leftists when they go into college. Our goal is to instill the desire, the habit and the virtue to fight back against the spirit of the world.

The Main Building, called the House of Mary, of the St. Louis de Montfort Academy.
It is a boarding school. This building includes the dormitory, refectory, assembly room, game room and the chapel.

From our perspective, it is the only way to expand the faith. No, our goal is not merely to preserve. Our goal is to make the faith expand in the public square and change society without neither fear nor restraint.

Students sing the Creed in Latin to begin the day. The fog creates a
mysterious ambience.

When Catholics are confirmed, we are confirmed as soldiers in Christ. Few understand what that means. Fewer even act on it. To be a soldier of Christ today means to oppose Satan and all his work, his snares, and his iniquities. In the TFP, we believe to be a soldier of Christ means to resist, to fight, and to take back what belongs to Christ. This spirit to conquer things for Christ is what we want to instill in the hearts of the youth.

What is TFP Student Action and Seat of Wisdom Institute?

For those who don't know, the TFP Student Action is the TFP's college outreach program of our Seat of Wisdom Institute. The Seat of Wisdom Institute is our college level formation course. It's a free three year course aimed in forming Catholic counterrevolutionaries. Not everyone who studies in the Seat of Wisdom Institute end up becoming TFP members but some do. Whatever their later pursuit is in life, whether college, military or vocational career, what they learn in this Institute will help them to keep fighting for the faith.

A clip of the website of the TFP Student Action. It actively promotes Catholic Culture especially in college campuses.

What is a caravan and a campaign?

To understand what a caravan is, you must first understand what a campaign is. A campaign is the TFP's style of street evangelization where to go to the street and engage the public in a discussion on a current topic. Many times TFP Student Action will go to college campuses and engage students in discussion.We train the young men how to debate in public.

Here a volunteer of TFP Student Action and a student at the Seat of Wisdom Institute
engages students. The student in the blue sweater looks like he's about to say something.

A TFP caravan is when a van load, and at times several van load of young volunteers hit the streets in a city far away from our headquarters in Pennsylvania. When they go out doing campaign for several days in a row then we call this a caravan.

Many times the caravan will camp out near their destination cities. It is an exciting and epic
way to spend part of the Summer or the school year.

Please pray for the young men who volunteer for these efforts to defend and promote Christian civilization.

Regional Conference and Special Men's Discussion Night

Dear Friends of Chivalry,

We are excited to host our first regional conference at the TFP St. Michael Call To Chivalry Center in Waukesha, WI. The conference will be help in the Community Room at 150 W. Main St., Waukesha, WI from 11 to 4.

To receive the speakers we are holding a special Men's Discussion Night. This is served with pizza and beer. It begins with a short presentation intended to provoke deep thoughts and stir good passions.

The topic of discussion is: If the angels lived with us on Earth, would they: a) Opt for the Benedict Option; b) Dedicate themselves to prayer; c) Throw themselves into the fight against the wickedness and snares of the devils.

Yes, it is provocative.

The Men's Discussion Night is a get-together of Catholic gentlemen who wish to discuss serious but entertaining topics in a way a Catholic gentlemen should with other Catholic gentlemen.

In case, you haven't visited the St. Michael Center yet. It is located in the River's Edge Apartment. It is a modest two bedroom apartment but furnished in a way that facilitate manly seriousness and holiness. Below is a bird's view picture of the apartment complex. We hope you can join us for one our programs before the year ends.

The speakers are Mr. Matthew Carlson and Mr. Peter Miller. Each one will add a different spice to the discussion. Please see the flyer below for more information.

TFP St. Michael Call To Chivalry Center

Dear Friends of Chivalry,

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property is extending its youth and outreach programs to Wisconsin. We are opening the TFP's St. Michael Call To Chivalry Center in Waukesha, WI as a base for our activities in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Michigan.

What can you expect?

For decades The American TFP has offered Call To Chivalry Camps in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, California, and the Midwest. What else can you expect from the St. Michael Center in the future? You can expect about 6 things.

1) Call To Chivalry Programs. We will be holding either a day program or a weekend program throughout the year. A day program would include fencing lessons, a talk, and activities. A weekend program could be a long hiking trip, a pilgrimage trip, or a road trip to religious or cultural sites. 

2) Fencing Lessons. We are able to instruct up to 20 students at a time in classical fencing, and 8 students at a time in Medieval swords. We can travel in any of the states in our region. These lessons are free though donations to defray the cost of travel is appreciated. Each lesson will include a talk on virtues associated with knighthood. 

3) Men's Discussion Nights. One Friday out of the month, we will have a program for men where we have lively discussions on important topics. This is available to high school students, college students, professionals, and older. Pizza, beer, and other refreshments are served free.

4) Talks and Conferences. Throughout the year, we will host talks and regional conferences on different topics. This is an excellent way for the whole family to get involved.

5) Local Rosary Rallies and Public Activities. The TFP is a pray, think, and do tank. We do a lot of public actions. This includes rosary rallies against Drag Queen Story Hours, or satanic black masses, protests against blasphemous movies, or Fr. James Martin's efforts to make the LGBT agenda accepted inside the Church without any call to conversion. This also includes participating in prolife rallies or marches for life.

6) America Needs Fatima activities. Since a big part of what the TFP does involves the America Needs Fatima program, we will be holding events for our America Needs Fatima members. This includes talks, gatherings, and home visitation program with a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

The TFP's St. Michael Call To Chivalry Center is located at 100 Corrina Blvd., Waukesha, WI. It is a modest two-bedroom apartment. From here, we hope to expand the spirit of what makes our program appealing to everyone especially the youth: a Catholic militant spirit focused on facing the evils of the modern world.

To get here from Milwaukee, take I-94 westbound going toward Madison. Take exit 295 and go south. About 2 miles down, make a left on N. Barstow St. (There's a Mobile gas station at the corner.) Cross over the river, then make an immediate left. The Fox River will now be to your left. Rivers Edge Apartment where the center is will be the four-story building to your right. There is a circular driveway with a flag pole in the middle.

This is the main clubroom where we hold talks and foil fencing.

The TFP St. Michael Call To Chivalry Center is an outreach program to youth and families who see the value of the spirit of chivalry. We hope to be of service to everybody but above all the Queen of All Hearts. 

We ask and beg for your prayers so that the spirit of chivalry be spread through this modest venue. If that spirit is restored, then the spirit that will fight for the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will have begun to be restored.

If you know anyone who would like to receive an invitation to our programs, please email us at tfpmidwest@gmail.com.

St. Michael the archangel, the first knight, pray for us!

TFP Student Action Summer Caravan

At the beginning of Summer we sent invitations to a select number of young men to join a caravan sponsored by TFP Student Action, an youth outreach program of the TFP.

It was a great way to spend part of the Summer. As most young people only concerned themselves with a Summer full of pleasure, these young men wanted heroism, adventure and epicness in the service of the Catholic  cause. 

We had an excellent group of boys from the states like Colorado, New York, Illinois and Texas. They all showed much dedication and sense of sacrifice. There were no complaints even when we spent the whole day in the streets passing out flyers, engaging drivers to honk in support for life or getting into intense discussions. Many young people today would rather spend the day by the pool. Not these young men.

Enjoy the video below. It shows a little bit of the life of a caravaner.

 

TFP Student Action Summer Caravan, July 21

TFP Student Action Summer Caravan. How do we start a campaign?

Flags go up. Signs go up. Three Hail Mary's. And the iconic shouting of the name of the organization, Tradition, Family, Property, America, America, America.

Please pray for the young men as they spend part of their Summer defending Catholic issues instead of just lounging at home, or even worse at the beach.