How Our Lord spoke of Chivalry

"The spirit of chivalry is the safest path leading to sainthood, and the spirit of disinterested and self-denying service for the common good." "A knight who keeps the laws of his order is exceedingly dear to me. For if it is hard for a monk to wear his heavy habit, it is harder still for a knight to wear his heavy armor."

- Our Lord to St. Bridget. Revelations of St. Bridget, book III

Saint Bridget of Sweden recieved these and many other revelations from Jesus Christ about chivalry and great virtue of the knights who fought for Christendom. We see in these revelations that God is emphasizing the importance for men to fight evil and error.

We ask Saint Bridget of Sweden to pray for the Knights of the Golden Arrow. Let us be true to our convictions. Let us honor our Lord and His Holy Face. Let us remember the words of our Lord to St. Bridget, and never lose sight of the meaning of our calling for knighthood.

In nomine Domini!

Translating the Ancient Code of Chivalry for the Modern Man.

The legacy of chivalry is evident in many aspects of modern society, from our corporate codes of ethics to our cultural references. The ideals of courage, loyalty, and honor that were embodied by medieval knights continue to influence our perceptions of heroism and nobility.  We see organizations like the Boy Scouts of America that promotes the values of chivalry through its oath and law.  The servant-like traits of selflessness and sacrifice of the Jedi Order in Star Wars, was inspired from the ancient code of chivalry. 

The image of the noble knight, sworn to uphold his code of honor and defend the weak, continues to inspire and captivate us in movies, television series and stories such as The Knight’s Tale, The Song or Roland, and Knightfall.  They remind us of the importance of integrity, courage, and compassion in our own lives and the impact can be seen in the way we treat one another on a daily basis.  The emphasis on respect, compassion, and fairness that was central to the code of chivalry continues to shape our interactions with others.  When we strive to be “chivalrous,” we honor the legacy of the knights of old and demonstrate our commitment to creating a more just world.

The “code of chivalry” was a moral and ethical code that guided the medieval knight in everything he did.  This code emphasized the importance of the knight to live with virtues such as loyalty, honor, courage, and humility.  It was the very base upon which the conduct of knights was imposed and was the greatest measure of how they were perceived by others.  Knights were once considered to be members of nobility, or at the very least they were in some variation of being wealthy and were therefore expected to act with a high level of decorum and respectability. The code of chivalry provided a cornerstone for their conduct and a base set of values that they were expected to live by.  In this commentary, we will explore the origins of the code of chivalry, the virtues that were expected of knights, and we will examine some notable examples of chivalric behavior displayed by knights and the lasting impact of chivalry on society.

The Origins of Chivalry

Chivalry originated in the early Middle Ages.  It was a strictly followed code of conduct that governed the behavior of knights and nobility. The term chivalry is rooted from the French word “cheval,” meaning horse, referring to the mounted warriors.  The ideals of chivalry were heavily influenced by feudalism.  By the 11th century, chivalry began to take shape as a set of principles that guided the actions of knights, and it became central to the identity of a knight. The code of chivalry was meant to define the behavior and character of a knight, emphasizing virtues as courage, loyalty, and honor.

The Knightly Virtues

The code of chivalry demanded that knights uphold a set of virtues that formed the foundation of their moral character. These virtues were considered essential for a knight to behave honorably and fulfill their duty to their lord, their country, and to the Church.

Courage was the most admired virtue of knights as they were expected to be fearless in battle and have the tenacity to overcome their enemies.  Chivalric courage, however, also meant having the moral fortitude to stand up for what was right, even if it meant going against their superiors.

Knights were expected to be loyal to their aristocrat, their country, their fellow knights, and to the church.  By their loyalty, Knights were willing to sacrifice even their lives to defend their lord’s honor, uphold their country’s laws and traditions and to defend the Christian faithful and teachings.  

Honor was the defining virtue for knights. They were expected to be truthful, just, and compassionate. A knight’s honor was their most valued possession, and they would go to great lengths to defend it, even if it meant risking their lives. It was better to die defending their honor than to live in shame and disgrace.

Humility was practiced as they were expected to be modest, self-effacing and to put the needs of others before their own.  Knights were taught to be aware of their own weaknesses, to strive for self-improvement, and to learn from their mistakes.

Justice, an essential virtue for knights, meant they were expected to be fair and impartial in their interaction with others, both in their private lives and on the battlefield. Knights were responsible for upholding the law and ensuring that justice was served.

Another important virtue for knights was that they were expected to be generous with their wealth, time, and talents, giving freely to those in need. They were taught to be hospitable and gracious hosts, displaying their wealth and status, but not flaunting it or using it to oppress others.

Faith was the central virtue for knights, who were deeply religious and saw themselves as soldiers of Christ. Knights were expected to regularly attend the Holy Mass, confess their sins, and take part in holy rituals. They were also expected to defend the Church and protect the faithful from harm, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives.  Martyrdom was an honor to be achieved by a knight.

“The true test of a knight was not in his martial prowess, but in his adherence to the code of chivalry and the virtues it embodied.” –  Anonymous

The Knight’s Oath and the Knightly Code

The knight’s oath was a solemn promise that bound him to uphold the code of chivalry and defend the honor of his aristocracy. Taking the oath was a pivotal moment in a knight’s life, as it signified their much-like-consecration to God, and his commitment to a life of service, valor, and virtue.

An example of such an oath was “I, Sir [name], do solemnly swear to uphold the knightly code and defend the honor of my lord and lady. I will be brave, loyal, and chivalrous in all my deeds, and will devote myself to the service of God and my liege. So help me God.”  Today, the Swiss Guard of the Vatican will make their confirmation and take oath, reciting the following words: “I swear I will faithfully, loyally and honorably serve all that has been read to me thus far.”

The knight’s oath was taken during a religious ceremony, adding great level of significance to the event.  It was common for knights to swear their allegiance to a specific lord or lady, who they would protect and serve for the rest of their lives.

The knight’s oath had a profound impact on a knight’s behavior and actions.  It was a reminder of their duty to always uphold the code of chivalry, even in the face of adversity.  Breaking that code was considered a serious offense and could result in dishonor and disgrace. Knights who violated their oath could be stripped of their titles and lands, and even face excommunication from the Church.

The Role of Religion in Shaping Knighthood

Religion played a significant role in shaping the values and morals of the code of chivalry, being heavily influenced by Christian ideals. Knights saw themselves as defenders of the faith, and their religious beliefs guided their behavior on and off the battlefield.

One of the most conspicuous examples of this religious influence is the perception of honor. Knights believed that they were fighting for a higher purpose and that their actions should be guided by a sense of honor and righteousness. They were defenders of the weak and oppressed, and their chivalric code required that they should always act with integrity and respect towards others.

St. Bernard de Clairvaux highlights the importance of faith in the life of a knight when he wrote, “He who does not love God above all things is not worthy of being called a knight.”  It demonstrates how religion was seen as essential to a knight’s character and that their devotion to God was a vital to their overall moral framework.

Chivalry in Practice

The code of chivalry was a way of life for the knight. Throughout history, many examples of chivalrous conduct has been recorded, demonstrating the virtues and morals that were instilled in these noble warriors.

“Be without fear in the face of your enemies.  Be brave and upright, that God may love thee.  Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. This is your oath.”  – The Oath of the Knight Templar

One of the most iconic examples of chivalry in action is the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  Despite facing impossible challenges, Gawain remained loyal, honorable, and chivalrous throughout his ordeal.  He demonstrated courage in battle, humility in defeat, and compassion for his opponent.

Another legendary tale is that of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. These knights were renowned for their chivalry and dedication to their king, country and to the code. They swore to protect the innocent, uphold justice, and defend their honor at all costs.

The Enduring Importance of Chivalry

The ideals of chivalry and the legacy of knights continue to resonate in societies around the world today. The virtues of courage, honor, and loyalty are still admired, sought after, and romanticized.  The image of the knight in shining armor endures in popular culture.

The code of chivalry serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical behavior and moral values in society. The ideals of chivalry may have originated in medieval times, but they remain just as relevant today and they act as a guide for ethical behavior and a framework for moral courage.  These ideals represent a call to action for all of us to strive for excellence in our conduct and behavior.  As we move forward, let us honor the legacy of chivalry and strive to embody these virtues in our own lives, as true warriors for Christ, as Knights of the Golden Arrow. 

Deus vult!

Humility

“If men would consider how glorious a thing it is to imitate in this life the humility of the Son of God, and would picture to themselves to what a height of glory this humility would lead them, we should find very few proud men. But since the majority of men measure everything by their senses and by human considerations, we must not be astonished if the number of the humble is small, and the number of the proud infinite.” - St. Robert Bellermine

Authenticity

So many men are insincere when it comes to the representation of their own identity; portraying themselves as if they are a different person than who really is within. In certain company or situation, there are those who will put on errs, or present themselves falsely.  Others will be duplicitous or even fraudulent in their intentions when dealing in business or when they wish to make a certain impression, most often with women. This is not becoming, and certainly not the actions of a Knight.

A Knight stands apart from another man by his ability to be authentic. He doesn’t portray himself as someone else, because he is confident in whom he truly is. The truth of his origins, attributes, commitments, devotions, and his intentions are always fully understood by himself and by those with whom he interacts. And when he makes the mistake of being insincere or deceitful, because not even a Knight is perfect, he will quickly correct the situation in charity.

But what is the authenticity of a “Knight" of the Golden Arrow? We have no royal proclamation of knighthood as it was done in the past. Are we being fraudulent in our identity?

We must keep in mind it is not authentic to merely act the way you feel. That error has led many people astray and in great confusion. Being authentic is to act and feel as according to who you truly are; you are a child of the One, true God. Made in His image and likeness. You are a man who is intended to be a saint by the Holy Will of our Father. If you have joined the Golden Arrow, then it is likely you were given the gifts of piety and zeal for the true Catholic faith, and you have a fighting spirit. You are a warrior for Christ, a servant of our Lord and an instrument to be used by our Heavenly Father.

To be authentic, you must live according to God's Will. Be the man that God sees and has created you to be. Be the authentic Catholic Knight.

In Nomini Domine!

Failure is Not an Option

In my weekly review of the virtues that we strive to live by as Knights of the Golden Arrow, I sometimes struggle with how imperfect and weak I allow myself to be. What am I but just a man with temptations, bad decisions and a weak sense of spiritual fortitude. How can I be a good Christian, let alone a chivalric Catholic warrior, when I allow myself to fail so often in my convictions? Of all Christians, a knight should be of the utmost in strength, discipline and fortitude. Have I failed?

As I see it, failure does not occur until I have either made the choice to quit, or I have run out of time to correct my faults. I am a “practicing” Knight. Just as a lawyer practices torte and a doctor practices medicine, a practicing Knight is not perfect in his profession, nor does he pretend to be. Rather, he is always learning, training, working to improve, consulting with other knights and striving to become the perfect knight.

But is that goal even attainable? What is the point of having a goal that cannot be reached? On the contrary, there are thousands of examples where this goal has been met; they are Catholic saints. We, all Catholics, are called to be saints of the Church Triumphant. Most of us Christians do not achieve this while living and therefore require the purifying pains of purgatory, but being that we are God's warriors, we are called to fight the spiritual battle with unrelenting ferocity. Never retreat, never show mercy to the enemy, always advancing. If the enemy cuts off our right hand, we grip our sword in the left and thrust back into the battle.

Our winning strategy is “focus.” Focus on the Holy Face of Jesus who will make saints of those whom His image is burned into their hearts. Focus on Mary, our gentle queen who will keep us wrapped in the protection of her mantle. Focus on the state of your soul, remaining in grace, continually praying and confessing daily, if needed. Focus on the mission, never losing sight of our goals.

With the intercession of the heavenly legions, the support of our brother knights, and our own fighting will, we will be victorious. Failure is not an option.

Deus vult!

Meekness

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” - Mt. 5:5

What is meekness? I assure you, Our Lord is not calling us to be weak, timid or some kind of doormat for the enemy to walk all over.

The word translated "meek" in this passage is from the Greek word "praus." It was a military term that relates to horse training.

The ancient Greeks would search for the wildest horses and bring them to be broken-in. After months of training they would separate the horses into categories: some discarded, some made useful for bearing burdens, some for ordinary duty and the fewest of all were made war horses.

When a horse was finally trained to be a war horse, its state was described as "praus." The war horse had "power under authority," and "strength under control."

The horse never ceased to be determined, strong or to have the fighting spirit. However, it learned to bring its nature under control; highly disciplined. It gave up its wild, unruly, out of control and rebellious nature. It learned to bring that nature under control. The war horse was then capable of responding to the slightest touch of the rider, standing in the midst of intense danger and thundering into battle. It was now "meek."

So how does this translate to man? Aristotle said that "the praus person is one who has the virtue of the mean between two extremes." If recklessness were on one end and cowardice on the other, praus might be characterized as steady courage.

A meek Christian Knight will not shy away from taking a stand. Rather, he takes the stand at the right time, with the right people, and in the right way. He constrains his power for greater effect on himself and others. As G.K. Chesterton said, "It is carrying a sword, and knowing when to unsheathe it." So meekness and gentleness, properly understood within their biblical contexts, are calls to develop an intense and passionate devotion to the things of God, so as to develop formidable strength in spiritual warfare.

"Meekness is a rock overlooking the sea of anger, which breaks all the waves that dash against it, yet remains completely unmoved." — St. John Climacus

Pure, calm, self-restraint, and detachment from emotion is not only the biblical but, also the ancient Greek definition of meekness, NOT timidity or weakness.

We are the Catholic militant. Soldiers for Christ. With that comes grave responsibility for us to know and defend our faith. And to stand as meek warriors in the face of the devil for our beloved Lord and His Holy Church.

Deus vult!

https://www.warriorpriest.net/blog/2018/5/2/blessed-are-the-war-horses-on-christian-meekness

https://www.mattnorman.com/meek/

In Nomine Domini

In Nomine Domini, “In the name of our Lord.” This is the motto of the Knights of the Golden Arrow and it is truely a motto of great conviction.

We, as creatures given life by the very breath of God, by our nature are called to know, love, and to serve Him. But we as His knights are also called to the higher office of doing His works. That calling comes with such great piety, humility, sacrifice, discipline and responsibility no mere man could hope to be successful without Our Lord's merciful hands and the loving intercession of Our Lady. Truely, the work of our Knights are not our own, but fully belong to our King. Therefore what we do, and all that we do in the grand function of knighthood, shall be done without fail in the Name of our Lord.

Deus vult, “God wills it!” This motto has been the battle cry for all of Christendom for more than a millennia. It is the cry of the Christian Knight as he enters into battle. This motto reminds the knight of his station as being only a servant, an instrument, a tool to be manipulated by God's will. It reminds the knight that all things can be done by God, no matter how impossible it may seem, and even without the use of the knight. It reminds the knight, that no matter the outcome, even what appears to be a loss, or even the sacrifice of his own life will always be in accordance to God's loving and eternal plan.

Non nobis Domine, non nobis; sed Nomini tuo da Gloriam, “Not to us Lord, not to us; but to Your Name give Glory!” The Knights of the Golden Arrow celebrate their victories with a motto that claims no praise for themselves. Rather, with our gaze fixed on the One who deserves all praise, all glory and all awe for He is the Most Holy, Most Sacred, Most Adorable and ineffable God who deserves all success and victory attributed to Him!

Accountability

The Order requires its Knights to be accountable. What does it mean to be accountable? It means, our Knights are to be not just obligated, but willing and forthright with accepting responsibility or to account for his actions and behaviors. The Knight must be accepting of the burden, duty, obligation or liability of his commitments, responsibilities, speech and actions.

Can you imagine the world we would be in if St. Joseph, the foster father of Our Lord, did not practice accountability? It is likely Jesus would not have survived His infant years. Accountability drives a man to handle his business; he ensures his commitments are fulfilled and he takes the full blame for when he falls short. Even if he interiorly thinks some blame may belong somewhere else he does not allow that blame to leave his shoulders.

The vice opposed to accountability is effeminacy. The effeminate man destroys order, he runs from danger and he blames everyone but himself. I assure you, there is no room for the effeminate man in the Knights of the Golden Arrow.

The Golden Arrow Prayer

The “Golden Arrow” prayer was dictated by Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter to atone for the sins of blasphemy against God’s name. Recite this prayer everyday, and every time you witness blasphemy. In my personal experience, I have seen miracles in relation to the Golden Arrow prayer. You will find that it has great power to convert sinners.

“May the Most Holy, Most Sacred, Most Adorable, Most Incomprehensible and Unutterable Name of God, be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.”

I first found this prayer while I was in the military. I think we all have heard the saying “cuss like a sailor,” but to be clear that saying stands true for every branch of the military. I internally recited the Golden Arrow prayer every time I heard blasphemy. At first, I had to recite the prayer a few dozen times a day, but it wasn’t long before I noticed a drastic change and before I knew it, I was only saying the prayer a couple of times a week.

After leaving the military, I realized that blasphemy was not unique to the soldier. I have used the same tactics always to find the same result, but the latest instance was a boss that I had who seemed to have no filter on his tongue. I started with saying the Golden Arrow prayer every time I heard him, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t able to hear every instance of his blasphemy. I wrote the prayer down and taped it to the bottom of his keyboard so that if he flipped the keyboard over he would only see the back of the paper. I noticed a difference within a week, but within a couple of months the blasphemy had all but completely stopped.

Blasphemy is a serious offence. It is one of only three commandments that God has given us for how we are to treat Him. There are so many people who take the very name of God for granted and it is causing them to lose their souls. Love your neighbors by praying the Golden Arrow prayer often in reparation for the blasphemies of those around you.

This prayer has become very personal for me. I continue to recite this prayer multiple times a day and It has become a part of me. It’s power, it’s humility, it’s beauty, it’s intimacy and perfection with Our Lord has inspired me to develop the Knights of the Golden Arrow. An order of Knights who will put the words and the spirit of the prayer to practice. As we are made in the image and likeness of God, so we are to live honorable lives and to bring glory to His name. And, as the Knights’ mission is to defend His very name, we will also protect the faith which Our Lord has given us and His faithful.

In Nomine Domini!