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!