July/AugustJuly August 2007

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July/August 2007 Cover: Our Lady of Covadonga and the Cave from where Don Pelayo launched the eight-hundred-year fight to reclaim Spain for Christendom.

COMMENTARY Fatima: An Appeal to Beauty, Purity and Reparation 4 IN MEMORIAM Eugenia Garcia Guzmán 7 COVER STORY Don Pelayo and the Reconquista of Spain 8 Page 13 ANF PROGRESS REPORT Nationwide Public ! Spreading Public Square Rosaries 13 Square Rosaries— ! Pro-Homosexual Conference at DePaul Heeding Our Lady’s University Tramples Catholic Identity 14 request for prayer ! Another Seven Regional Conferences 14 and penance. ! Small Cloths Make One Great Banner 15 ! Our Readers Write 15 COMMENTARY Eternal and Natural Law: The Foundation of Morals and Law 16 REVOLUTION AND COUNTER- REVOLUTION IN HISTORY Clash of Cultures Part Two: Moctezuma and the Aztecs 20 AMBIENCES, CUSTOMS AND CIVILIZATIONS Medieval Town and Modern Metropolis: Which is Bigger? 24

Crusade Magazine is a publication of The American Society for the Our Lady’s call to What is so big Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Direct all Page 4 Back Cover requests and inquiries to: Crusade Magazine, P.O. Box 341, purity and reparation within about Assisi? Hanover, PA 17331 or e-mail to: [email protected]. Web: www.TFP.org, Tel.: 888-317-5571, Fax: (570) 450-6352. © 2007 by an impure world. The Foundation for a Christian Civilization, Inc. This publication includes images from iStockphoto™ which are protected by copyright laws of the U.S. and elsewhere. ISSN 1096-3782 LCCN 98-641433 M-88

CRRUSADEUSADE The American TFP ® The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, twofold function: individual and social. The TFP’s Editor: C. Preston Noell III Family and Property (TFP) was founded in 1973 to words and efforts have always been faithfully at the Associate Editors: John Horvat II, Michael Drake, confront the profound crisis shaking the modern service of Christian civilization.The first TFP was Earl Appleby, Michael Whitcraft world. It is a civic, cultural and nonpartisan founded in Brazil by the famous intellectual and Photography: Gary Isbell, Michael Gorre organization which, inspired by the traditional Catholic leader Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira in Foreign Correspondents: Charles E. Schaffer, Austria; teachings of the Supreme Magisterium of the 1960. His work inspired the formation of other Jose Carlos Sepulveda, Brazil; Philip Moran, England; Roman Catholic Church, works in a legal and autonomous TFP sister organizations across the Benoit Bemelmans, France; Beno Hofschulte, peaceful manner in the realm of ideas to defend globe, thus constituting the world’s largest Germany; Juan M. Montes, Italy; David Nash, and promote the principles of private ownership, anticommunist and antisocialist network of South Africa; Felipe Barandiaran, Spain family and perennial Christian values with their Catholic inspiration. Our Lady broke through the moral murkiness of the twentieth century like a beacon of light for those worried about an impending moral disaster.

capital R. Revolution is a violent change against order. While not every change needs to be violent or affect order, today’s Revolution is a change charac- terized by its violence and disorder. History has labeled the last century as one of its bloodiest, and it certainly was also one of the most un-Godly.

Revolution in Fashions and in Music The 1968 Sorbonne student riots in Paris, France, was a revolt against everything that is orderly, beautiful and sensible. Up until then, fashions were still tasteful and elegant. However, after the Sorbonne Revolution, fashions entered a down-

ward spiral trend. The feminine

wardrobe suffered a radical overhaul that FATIMA: An Appeal to de-emphasized women’s natural charm, femininity and modesty; the new wave introduced masculine attire, immodest Beauty, Purity and Reparation styles and unflattering adornments. Soon afterward, the world was intro- BY MICHELLE TAYLOR* duced to rock ‘n roll, which was to the Cultural Revolution what the Marseillaise was to the French Revolution. The The life of a Catholic today God in a neo-pagan world Marseillaise is a military march with can be challenging yet glori- makes it a glorious struggle, fatalistic undertones of Revolution; rock ous. It is tough and painful to and that very difficulty is an ‘n roll has the lure of a mad dance sug- counter the evil in the culture occasion for merit and growth. gesting the unraveling of all discipline that hangs in the air like smog. Light is never as bright as when and temperance. It is not easy to deal with a shining in the night, a lily never friend wandering from the Commentary as white as when blossoming in Our Lady of Fatima straight and narrow, a son a swamp. It is precisely in this Foreseeing all of the above, Our Lady being influenced by harmful darkness of faith and morality appeared in an extraordinary manifesta- fads, or a daughter dazzled by that has fallen upon the world tion of beauty and purity, contrasting questionable customs and that we have been called as the gray, impure atmosphere that was fashions. It is an uphill battle Catholics to “shine our light.” fast invading the world. In 1917, she to try to bring back to God broke through the moral murkiness of those who giddily insist on plunging into A Century of Revolution the twentieth century like a beacon of a world of sin. The word that best characterizes the light for those worried about an impend- However, the challenge of striving for twentieth century is Revolution with a ing moral disaster.

4 Crusade July/August 2007 The children saw above a holm oak, “a lady dressed in white, more brilliant An Innocent Setting Purity takes application, discipline, The Fatima message is wrapped in inno- than the sun, shedding a vigilance and, above all, prayer. But the cence. The seers, Francisco, Jacinta and saints assure us that though difficult, it is Lucia, were three innocent shepherd light clearer and more a virtue easily granted when asked of God. children, born to Portuguese peasant intense than that of a The Catholic Church has always had families, who in their simplicity prac- the formula for purity of life and cus- ticed the Catholic Faith in all its whole- crystal goblet filled with toms. First and foremost, the Church some temperance. They lived close to tells us to avoid the occasions of sin. nature, took their sheep to pasture, crystalline water and This is done by avoiding bad company, played their simple games, went to struck by the rays of the guarding one’s eyes and monitoring church and said their prayers in the calm thoughts. Purity comes in a total pack- cadence of peasant life. They were three most brilliant sun.” age or not at all. It must involve all of a normal, truthful, modest children, person’s faculties. The secret to bodily instructed in God’s commandments, the three little shepherds used to describe purity and chastity is purity of eyes, and unhindered by movies, television, what they saw. The Fatima message is mind and heart—look at no evil, think of video games, talk shows or peer pressure. replete with heavenly “staging” and “body no evil and desire no evil. “But I say unto language,” and the children’s words paint you, that whosoever looketh on a An Angel and a Lady a marvelous picture. Everything is so full woman to lust after her, hath already One spring day in 1916, as they played of light and so pearly white that it committed adultery with her in his among the rocks, they saw a figure expresses purity in every possible way. heart” (Matt. 5:28). approaching over the trees. In their This lady, this shimmering apparition Saint Alphonsus Liguori writes in matchless words, “a transparent young before them, is the Immaculate. She How to Live a Holy Life: man who was more brilliant than crystal attracts and enchants through her purity, Avoid idleness, immoral friend- struck by rays of the sun.”1 In the second and makes us feel the beauty of purity. ships, immodest conversations, and apparition, he introduced himself as the Her whiteness was luminous. Purity loves above everything else, avoid all occa- Guardian Angel of Portugal. daylight. It is connatural with clarity, open sions of sin, especially where there is The following year, on another spring air and freshness. The Fatima message the danger of impurity. In order to day, the children noticed two flashes of calls us to the apostolate of purity. avoid impurity it is important to keep lightning after which they saw above a the eyes from dwelling on any danger- holm oak, “a lady dressed in white, more Practicing Purity ous objects. A person who does not brilliant than the sun, shedding a light in an Impure World avoid the voluntary occasions of sin, clearer and more intense than that of a Practicing purity is difficult, especially especially those sins that have fre- quently proved fatal to their inno- crystal goblet filled with crystalline when the tentacles of impurity, lust cence, will soon discover that it is water and struck by the rays of the most and pornography reach electronically morally impossible to persevere in the brilliant sun.” Her face, indescribably into homes. grace of God: ‘He who loves danger will beautiful, “was neither sad nor perish therein’ (Sirach, 3:26).3 happy, but serious” with an air of mild reproach. Her hands, joined Sacramental Life together as if she were praying, Avoiding sin, so to speak, is the were resting at her breast and “negative” side of the battle for pointing upward. A Rosary hung purity. On the “positive” side of from her right hand. Her clothes the struggle, the Church pro- seemed to be made of light. Her vides us with the all-available tunic was white, and her veil was strength of the Sacraments of also white and edged with gold.2 Confession, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. In the first, we A Counter- receive God’s forgiveness that Revolution of Purity comes with a special fortifying “ Transparent,” “ brilliant,” “crystal,” grace. In the second, we are “sun,” “clear,” “crystalline,” “water,” spiritually armed with an ©iStockphoto.com/missing35mm “rays,” “lightning,” “beautiful,” Our Lady, pure white as the lily, calls us to be pure amid the increase in the gifts of the Holy “white” and “gold” were the words moral pollution that surrounds us and creeps into our very homes. Ghost for the spiritual combat.

Crusade July/August 2007 5 The 1968 Sorbonne

In the third, we receive Our Lord in Holy student riots in Paris, mula for the “apostolate of purity.” Purity, Communion. Received worthily in the France, was a revolt as a beautiful spiritual quality, must be state of grace, having confessed all mor- attractive outwardly as well. If women tal sins, Holy Communion distills the against everything that is and girls wish to take upon their shoul- impurities of our nature, spiritualizes our ders the cross of purity and modesty nature, increases our sensitivity to sin, orderly, beautiful and today, they must do it with wisdom and and therefore our rejection of sin. sensible. Up until then, discernment to influence others. There Again, Saint Alphonsus Liguori are ways of dressing in accordance with writes, fashions were still tasteful the Church’s norms that are also attrac- Holy Communion, as the Council tive. One of the best books written on of Trent teaches, is the grand medicine. and elegant. However, the subject is Dressing with Dignity by Holy Communion purifies us from our after the Sorbonne Colleen Hammond, a former model, now daily venial faults, and preserves us a model Catholic, wife and mother.7 from mortal ones. The person who fre- Revolution, fashions quently receives Communion will be Reparation free from sin and will make the best entered a downward A definition for “reparation” is “the act of progress in divine love, as long as it is making amends, offering expiation, or received with a good desire.4 spiral trend. giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury.”8 Modesty, the Priceless In Fatima, the Angel of Portugal and Pearl Society Lost crisis in virginity is linked doubtlessly to Our Lady asked the children to pray, sac- An integral part of purity is modesty. In a crisis in modesty. rifice and make reparation, and to ask Fatima, not only did Our Lady give the In Christianity’s history, no other the world to do the same. For their part, supreme example by the way she epoch has engaged in a more systematic Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, fascinated dressed, but she also told the world persecution of the virtue of modesty with the beauty of virtue they had seen, through Jacinta, “Fashions will appear than ours. This persecution is intended and horrified by the vision of Hell that that will greatly offend Our Lord.”5 to strip femininity of its aura of dignity Our Lady showed them, fell in line joy- Every girl is born with the innate and beauty. As Professor Corrêa de fully and resolutely with the Angel’s and virtue of modesty. Before it is stripped or Oliveira put it, “We must not fall into the Our Lady’s request. diluted by the habit of immodesty, it is error of wearing things of doubtful puri- They prayed and sacrificed, offering so strong an element of her nature that ty or positively impure attire to please up all the sufferings of life, and extra some girls have given their lives rather others. No! The apostolate of purity is to penances to make amends to God for than forfeit it, like Saint Maria Goretti show the beauty of purity.”6 the sins of humanity, that repeatedly and many others through time. Thus, a The beauty of purity; here is the for- offend His infinite goodness and majesty. This became their mission, sanctified them, and today they enjoy the eternal happiness that Our Lady promised them. In their case, “making amends” applied only insofar as their small faults and childish sins had affect- ed their otherwise innocent souls.

The Cleansing Power of Reparation In a world that has bought the lie that morality is a burden and ugliness is beauty, only to find out that immorality enslaves and ugliness depresses, it is a

A scene during the 1968 Sorbonne student revolt, an event that accelerated the downward spiral of the Cultural Revolution. Among their many slogans, the revolutionaries shouted, “It is forbidden to forbid!”

6 Crusade July/August 2007 consoling thought that there is a way to home. There can be no better reparation, repair the offense to God and the dam- for us and for others, than to join our age done to the beauty and innocence of small lamps of practicing Catholics to our souls. That way is prayer and the light of the “Lady more brilliant than penance as Our Lady repeatedly asked the sun.” With her, no way is too difficult, at Fatima—especially the penance of no task impossible. " embracing a life of virtue. Reparation is a word laden with *Based on a talk by Plinio Corrêa Oliveira on hope: “[I]f your sins be as scarlet, they June 5, 1994. shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be Notes: white as wool” (Isaias 1:18), and “Thou 1. Antonio A. Borelli and John R. Spann, Our Lady of Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or Hope? shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I (York, PA: The American Society for the Defense shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, of Tradition, Family and Property, 1998), 29. and I shall be made whiter than snow” 2. Ibid. (Psalms 50:9). 3. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, ed. Reverend Perhaps the most touching aspect of Thomas M. Santa, C.Ss.R., How to Live a Holy Life, a Rule of Life by Saint Alphonsus Liguori (Liguori), 15. the parable of the Prodigal Son is that 4. Ibid. when the young man finally cleared the 5. Our Lady of Fatima: Prophecies of Tragedy or bend of the road back home, his watch- Hope?, 65. ful father saw him before the Prodigal 6. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, closing remarks, Son saw his father. June 5, 1994. 7. Colleen Hammond, Dressing with Dignity The picture of a God who waits day (Rockford, IL: TAN Books & Publishers, Inc., and night for each soul should encour- Like the Prodigal Son’s father, God awaits the return of every wayward soul. Contrary to the 2005). age us to continue shining our small spirit of the jealous brother in the parable, we 8. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, lights as Catholics to help illuminate the should encourage repentance and make 1055 (11th ed., 2004). way for all those seeking the way back reparation by our example.

“The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.” Psalms 15:5.

Crusade deeply mourns the passing of Guzmán added the qualities of Catholic one of its associate editors, Eugenia Garcia Spain to Cuban charm and sociability. Guzmán, on May 23, 2007. Always a perfect lady, she faced the painful Mrs. Guzmán emigrated with her family events in her life with unflinching valor, from Cuba to America during the early positive attitude and solid faith. Against years of the Castro takeover. Leaving every- trying odds, she made of God and His law thing behind, the family struggled bravely her only portion, placing her unwavering to start a new life. trust in Him and growing in His love and In Memoriam In the early seventies, Mrs. Guzmán met that of His Church all the days of her life. the American Society for the Defense of Mrs. Guzmán spoke Spanish, English, Tradition, Family and Property, becoming Portuguese and French fluently, con- Eugenia Garcia an enthusiastic supporter and loyal friend. tributed with translations and proofread- She also, on several occasions, met with the ing to the works of the American TFP and Guzmán founder of the Brazilian TFP, Professor Crusade. We will miss her very much. # Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, whom she She leaves behind her sister Cecilia, August 12, 1927– admired greatly and strived to imitate. her son Javier, and her granddaughter From an old Spanish Basque family, Mrs. Alejandra. " May 23, 2007

Crusade July/August 2007 7 Rather than surrender to the Moors, Don Pelayo and his handful of men retreated to a cave where they began the advance that would retake Spain. Don Pelayo and the Reconquista of Spain

BY FELIPE BARANDIARAN

ne fascinating aspect of the Old the Spanish southern coast. Not waiting for a sec- Testament is God’s interventions favor- ond invitation, the Islamic army landed. The poi- O ing those who do all they possibly can son of treachery added to the ruthlessness of the while facing overwhelming odds and counting on scimitar conquered all of Spain in a few years. Him to do the impossible. As we read about David But the Lord of Hosts had long prepared the and Goliath, Gideon and the Battle of Jericho, the Spanish David who would face the new Islamic

Cover Maccabees and others, we have the impression Goliath. Story that God actually dons armor and goes to battle on their side. New Testament history counts a num- A Warrior, a Cave and a Queen ber of such interventions. Among these is the mar- The Cantabrian Range in northern Spain forms a velous story of the Reconquista, or recapture of natural fortress of lofty peaks, deep gorges, narrow Spain from Islamic domination. valleys, steep cliffs and evergreen forests. This region numbers among the “Peaks of Europe” and Jihad was once the paradise of hermits, and the home of Less than seventy years after the death of bears, mountain goats and soaring eagles. It is also Mohammed in 632, his followers had already con- known as the cradle of Catholic Spain, and it is the quered most of the Middle East and North Africa. starting point of our marvelous saga. In the beginning of the eighth century, the leaders One day, around the year 718, a troublemaker of the new religion turned their eyes to Christian clambered desperately up rocks and boulders flee- Europe, dreaming of new Moorish conquests. ing from a young warrior intent on his capture. On the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar, Suddenly, the pursued man dashed into a large Visigoth Catholic Spain was in a state of decadence, cave and disappeared into its dark depth. Chasing undermined by the Arian heresy, steeped in vice, its after him, the warrior found the troublemaker army and people lax, and its leaders divided. clinging desperately to a venerable hermit. Beside In 711, because of internal divisions, traitors the old man stood a small image of Mary Most informed the Muslims about the weak points along Holy with the Infant in her arms. At the hermit’s

8 Crusade July/August 2007 request, the warrior granted the troublemaker Less than seventy years after the death of sanctuary and gave up the chase. “God will bless you for this, my friend,” spoke the hermit. Mohammed in 632, his followers had The troublemaker’s and the hermit’s names per- ished with history, but the young warrior’s name already conquered most of the Middle was Pelayo, a nobleman of royal lineage and fear- East and North Africa. less disposition. The cave is known to this day as Covadonga, and the diminutive image of Mary ven- erated there as Our Lady of Covadonga, Deliverer What began as a simple incursion became a full- and Queen of Spain. blown war of conquest as many enemies of the Visigoth regime joined forces with Ziyad. Early Spain In the beginning of the eighth century, Spain was The Fateful Battle of Guadalete ruled by the Visigoth King Vitiza, a man as insolent Finally, King Rodrigo was able to gather an army of as he was corrupt. While still a prince, Vitiza mur- 100,000 ill-trained men and met the Muslims in dered the Duke of Fáfila and exiled his son Pelayo. Guadalete. In the heat of the battle, the supporters of After Vitiza died, his sons were unable to secure Vitiza and his sons joined the invading Moors, and the throne because of their cruel father’s unpopu- attacking from behind decided the day for Ziyad. larity. Taking advantage of the chaos, the worthy King Rodrigo was killed and his body vanished. Rodrigo, Duke of Bética, seized power and pro- Centuries later his tomb was discovered in Portugal. claimed himself king. At this, the supporters of Vitiza and his sons swore revenge. They sent mes- Pelayo Emerges sengers to Mohammed’s followers across the Strait In that battle, Pelayo, whose father the Duke of of Gibraltar in North Africa and revealed to them all Fáfila had been killed by Vitiza, also fought. After the weak points along the Spanish southern coast. the defeat of Guadalete, Pelayo fled with family Tariff bem Ziyad was the one chosen for the task members to Asturias in northern Spain. by the shrewd Musa bem Nusayr, governor of Muslim Africa. Aided by yet another traitor, the Count of Not My Sister Olian, Lord of Gibraltar, then at odds with King Meanwhile Nusayr grew jealous of Ziyad and Rodrigo, Ziyad won many successive battles in 711. decided to share in the glory and the spoils of con-

A map of Spain as it was, when invaded by Moors from northern Africa between A.D. 711–1031

Crusade July/August 2007 9 The hermit who inhabited the cave of Covadonga placed in Pelayo’s hand a wooden cross A small chapel nestled within the saying, “Behold the sign of Cave of Covadonga. Devotion to Our Lady victory.” Pelayo positioned this at the cave existed even before Don cross at the top of his standard Pelayo’s battle against the Muslims and up to be carried in battle. until this day.

quering Spain. He crossed the Strait of Gibraltar ered a force of about a thousand strong. with a powerful army and, with it, conquered Unanimously, they proclaimed Pelayo king in 716 Granada, Malaga, Merida, Seville and Zaragoza. or 718. Continuing to join infamy to treachery, Vitiza’s Tradition says that since the crimson flag of the followers surrendered town after town to the Goths had disappeared in the fateful battle of invader. Like dominoes, region after region fell, Guadalete, the hermit who inhabited the cave of leaving only a few towns free from Muslim domi- Covadonga placed in Pelayo’s hand a wooden cross nation in the Cantabrian region near the Pyrenees. saying, “Behold the sign of victory.” Pelayo posi- The Muslim Munuza was appointed governor tioned this cross at the top of his standard to be of Gijón in this region and was to cross paths with carried in battle.1 Pelayo by falling in love with the Spaniard’s sister. Noticing that Islamic attention was now Pelayo opposed the match and was sent prisoner focused on trying to conquer France,2 Pelayo to the south of Spain. Evading his captors, he launched forays against Muslim strongholds returned to his family to find Munuza planning a obtaining successive victories. wedding. His opposition enraged the governor, Hearing of the insurrection, Munuza sent word who ordered his imprisonment. to Alahor, the Emir of Córdoba, who in turn sent An artist’s rendition of his lieutenant Alkama with a large force to crush the Moors besieging the The Resistance Begins the rebels. With him, Alkama brought Don Opas, Christians at Covadonga. Warned by friends, Pelayo sought refuge in the the bishop of Seville, a relative of Pelayo and a Miraculously, the stones and arrows hurled mountains of the Cantabrian region and swore to Muslim collaborator, hoping that he might con- against the Christians resist the new regime. His natural leadership, his vince Pelayo to give up the impossible task. returned to the Moors. fame as a fearless warrior and his rank as a prince Meanwhile, Pelayo had distributed his small force The outnumbered of royal lineage attracted many Catholics who throughout strategic positions of the Cantabrian Christians engaged in a melee that resulted in wished to combat the invader. Around him gath- Range while he with a few men took their posi- the rout of the Moors. tions inside the cave of Covadonga where the image of Mary Most Holy was venerated.

Interview with Don Opas Before the battle, Alkama sent Don Opas to try to per- suade Pelayo to put down his sword by promising par- don and many benefits. Don Opas is quoted as saying, “Brother, I am sure that you work in vain. What possi- ble resistance can you put up when all of Spain and its armies could not resist the Ismaelites? Listen to me. Settle down, and enjoy your many possessions in peace with the Arabs like everyone else is doing.” To this, Pelayo answered, I want no friendship with the Islamites and will not be subject to their empire. Don’t you know that the Church of God is like the moon that once eclipsed returns to her fullness? We trust in God’s mercy and know that from this mountain will emerge the health of Spain. You with your brothers as well as Olian, minister of Satan, decided to give to these people the reign of the Goths. But we, having Our Lord Jesus Christ as our advocate

10 Crusade July/August 2007 before God the Father, despise this gic positions throughout the moun- multitude of pagans in whose name tains, pushed down huge boulders you come. And by the intercession of and tree trunks on the Muslim the Mother of God, who is Mother army now trapped in the deep of mercy, we believe that this valleys of the region. Others shot small army of 105 Goths will their arrows. At the same time, multiply like seeds from a tiny a frightful storm broke out, 3 grain of mustard. which added to the panic, Realizing there was no and caused the Muslims to compromise in Pelayo, Don flee in disarray. Pursued by Opas returned to the Muslim the Christians, they were army and said, “Go on to the killed in the Cangas Valley in cave and fight because only a terrible battle. the sword will obtain any- The traitorous Don Opas thing from him.” was taken prisoner, and Alkama was slain along with The Battle (718–722) thousands of Muslims. The On that day, two different civiliza- remaining Moorish army took tions and religions faced each other. flight only to be buried by a Islam, which had triumphed over the mountain close to the Deva River Middle East and North Africa, was now that suddenly fell upon them and poised to crush the last stronghold of a drowned them in the river. For cen- ruined country, a destroyed civiliza- turies after that, whenever the river tion, an enslaved people and a pro- The “mustard seed” of Don swelled in winter, bones and parts of faned religion. There, at Covadonga, Pelayo’s unwavering faith in armor floated to the top. was to be decided whether Spain God and Our Lady inspired Back in Gijón, on hearing of the generations of Spanish would be an extension of Islam or the Crusaders who were willing astounding defeat, Munuza fled with spearhead of Christian Civilization. to lay down their lives his troops, only to be pursued by the As Pelayo and his men looked down rather than give in to the Spaniards who caught up with him from the cave of Covadonga they saw a oppression of Islam. near Oviedo, killing him and his men. massive Muslim horde. Alkama and his men jeered, sure of an easy victory. A chill of fear Growing Support For the Cause of compounded the chill of the cave but the Spain; Don Pelayo After Covadonga indomitable leader, pointing to the small image of Encouraged by such a victory and Pelayo’s exam- Our Lady of Covadonga, reminded his brave men to ple, an increasing number of Christians joined place all their confidence in her protection. This little him. One of them was Alfonso, the son of the Lady “beautiful as the moon, brilliant as the sun, ter- Duke of Viscaya, who left his father and his lands rible as an army in battle array,”4 could not disappoint to join the fight at Pelayo’s side. Alfonso later mar- their trust. Thus began that terrible, unequal fight. ried the hero’s daughter, Ormisinda, and at the pre- At a signal from Alkama, a multitude of stones mature death of Pelayo’s son Fávila, became King and arrows were hurled against the men in the Alfonso I the Catholic. cave. It was then that a wonderful thing happened. Rather than establishing his court in Gijón, the The acclaimed sixteenth-century Spanish histori- most important city of Asturias, Don Pelayo chose an, Father Juan de Mariana, describes the battle: Cangas de Onis, in the region of the “Peaks of They fought at the entrance to the cave with all Europe,” since it was a more defensible position. sorts of weapons, and a shower of stones. Then it Pelayo did not enjoy much peace. He neither was that God’s power was manifest, favorable to sought it nor could he expect it from the Muslims. ours and contrary to the Muslims because the He spent the rest of his life battling the Moorish arrows and spears that the enemy launched invader. He died from natural causes in Cangas de returned to them causing great harm among them. The enemy was astounded at such a mira- cle. Heartened and on fire with the hope of victo- “I want no friendship with the Islamites and ry, the Christians emerged from the hideout, few will not be subject to their empire.... We trust in number, soiled and ragged, and engaged in a melee. They fell fiercely upon the enemy who, in God’s mercy and know that from this thrown off balance, turned and ran.5 Meanwhile, the other warriors, placed in strate- mountain will emerge the health of Spain.”

Crusade July/August 2007 11 Millan appeared to aid the Christians in the battle. Another hero of the Reconquista is Rodrigo

©Francisco M. Marzoa Alonso ©Francisco M. Marzoa Diaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid (1040–1099), the epitome of manly honor and loyalty to the cause of Spain despite rejection by his own king. Another outstanding figure is Saint Ferdinand III of Castille and León (1199–1252). This holy king, with a tender devotion to Our Lady, had a precious ivory The Basilica statue of the Mother of God and her Infant of Our Lady of the Battles Son, “The Virgin of Battles,” set in his sad- in Covadonga, dle horn. He never lost a battle. When he Spain. breathed his last at fifty-three, exhaust- ed by a warring life, only the kingdom Onis in 737 and was buried by his wife of Granada in the south of Spain was Gaudiosa near the altar of Our Lady in the still in Islamic hands, though reduced to Cave of Covadonga. The epitaph on his tomb reads: being a vassal state to the Christian kingdom. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Here lies the holy king Don Pelayo, Kings, after a long, tedious war, received the keys of elected on the year 716, who in this Granada from its last Muslim king, Boabdil el Chico. miraculous cave began the The recapture of Spain was complete. restoration of Spain.... May Don Pelayo and all the saints and heroes of the Reconquista pray for all Catholics who, though Generations of Heroism in different circumstances today, feel backed into a The defeat at Covadonga cost the Islamic cause “cave” pressured by the universal “politically cor- dearly. Arab historians lament that they had rect” call to compromise or dilute their Catholic despised the Spaniards as “only thirty hungry men convictions and principles. Unfortunately, at who lived on the honey of bees made in the cracks times, the clamor even comes from individual of rocks; and what can thirty men amount to?” members of the clergy more intent on conforming Given the consequences of this defeat for the to the spirit of the age than to the spirit of Islamic world, their historians morosely comment, immutable Truth, Our Lord Jesus Christ. “A grave miscalculation which was the cause of The deposit of God’s Truth in the Divine great affliction for Islam.”6 Magisterium of His Church is the sure beacon, Indeed, this was a miscalculation of historic and the eternal inspirer of all those willing to proportions for, according to the Spanish historian attempt the possible knowing that they can then Menéndez Pidal, the average Spaniard was a man expect the impossible from the Lord of Hosts and who endures the lack of amenities with strong res- His Holy Mother. " ignation; resists all covetousness and the disturb- ing allurement of pleasures; is ruled by sobriety, Notes: which inclines him to a certain ethic austerity 1. Later, Alfonso III had this cross covered in gold and pre- cious stones. Today, it is kept in the Cathedral of Oviedo with the applied to all of life; his is a habitual simplicity of name of “Cross of Victory.” http://www.arbil.org/(31)pely.htm. customs, dignity and noble stance, evident even in 2. Charles Martel, son of Pepin of Herstal and father of the humbler classes; he is strong in the family Charlemagne, defeated Islam at the battle of Tours. See virtues; and when necessary, capable of a heroism “Charles Martel,” http://www.newadvent.org?/cathen/03629 rarely imitated.7 a.htm. 3. http://www.arbil.org/[31]pely.htm. In other words, Islam chose the wrong country 4. Canticle of Canticles 6:9. through which to begin the invasion of Europe. For, 5. From an article by José Maria dos Santos, published in after Pelayo, and under the patronage of the Lady of Catolicismo (October, 2002), based on Father Juan de Mariana, Covadonga, a host of warriors undertook the eight- Historia General de España, vol. I, enriched and completed by hundred-year war to reconquer for the Cross what Eduardo Chao (Imprenta y Libreria de Gaspar Roig, Editores, Madrid, 1848), 308. the Crescent and treachery had taken in a decade. 6. From an article by José Maria dos Santos, published in Outstanding in heroism and dedication to the Catolicismo, based on Menéndez Pidal, España y su Historia, cause were men like Fernán González (930–970), vol. I (Ediciones Minotauro, Madrid, 1957), 247, 248. who defeated the Muslims in the great three-day 7. Ibid., 15, 16. battle at the Valle de las Espadas (Valley of the Swords), where it is said that Saints James and

12 Crusade July/August 2007 America Needs Fatima® July/August 2007 PROGRESS REPORT

Spreading Public Square Rosaries BY ROBERT E. RITCHIE

To commemorate the ninetieth 1,000 rallies planned for More than eighty Catholics publicly prayed the Rosary in anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s mes- October 13, 2007, the nineti- downtown Cleveland, Ohio, to honor the ninetieth anniversary of Our Lady s apparitions at Fatima. sage, the American TFP and its America eth anniversary of the miracle Needs Fatima campaign are sponsoring of the sun at Fatima, Portugal. Public Square Rosary Rallies in cities all Campus Rosary Crusade over America. The TFP’s Student Action Public Square Rosaries There are Campus Rosary Crusades at branch is doing a similar campaign On May 12, 2007, more than eighty colleges in twelve states, plus the called the Campus Rosary Crusade. This Catholics gathered in downtown District of Columbia and Canada. The spiritual crusade is an historic opportu- Cleveland, Ohio. The Pilgrim Virgin stat- number of college students holding nity to proclaim publicly the Fatima ue processed into the public square to monthly campus Rosaries is increasing. message: pray the Rosary, do penance the tune of Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Some Rosary leaders even decided to for the conversion of sinners, amend our Above. The Rosary, hymns and the litany start praying a weekly Rosary. lives and practice the devotion to the of Our Lady were recited. After the Eric Asso, Rosary coordinator from Five First Saturdays. Rosary, everyone, some on their knees, Lancaster, Pa., writes, We are happy to report that several prayed the consecration to Our Lady. To [W]e said the Rosary in front of Public Square Rosaries were already end the rally, the participants shouted San Juan Bautista Church on held, and others are planned for July, three times, “Finally, my Immaculate Saturday, April 7, 2007. Five of us were August and September, leading up to Heart will triumph!” out there with a sign saying, “Pray for the Safety of the Troops.” There is a lot of traffic on that street. I expect more people next month because we’re going to put an announcement in the church bulletin. At Virginia Commonwealth University, besides having the bagpipes and anti- abortion literature, a public Rosary was recited for the end of abortion. Two stu- dents were so happy that they joined on the spot to pray. “We need more militant

As part of their Campus Rosary Crusade, members of TFP Student Action prayed the Rosary at the University of Delaware.

Crusade July/August 2007 13 ANF PROGRESS REPORT

Pro-Homosexual Conference at DePaul University Tramples Catholic Identity Catholic groups like yours!” said Kimberly, a student who wants to start a Campus BY JAMES BASCOM Rosary Crusade chapter. Another student DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, plans to host a pro-homosexual added, “Wow! You guys look like medieval conference on October 19–20, 2007 titled, “Out There: The Second National warriors! Good luck!” Conference of Scholars and Student Affairs Personnel Involved in LGBTQ Colin Salinger, organizer of Campus Issues on Catholic Campuses.” Rosary at Louisiana State University, “Catholic universities should be centers of virtue and purity, not sin and told the student newspaper, The Daily scandal. The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual vice is a grave sin, Reveille, that he organized the event to not something to celebrate or be comfortable with,” said TFP Student “bring the Rosary to people” and to Action Director John Ritchie. “Thank God more and more students are wak- encourage more students to stand up ing up. They realize that a culture without morals leads to anarchy.” for the Catholic Faith. Students and parents are praying, protesting and calling DePaul Kyle Duhon of the University of University. If nothing is said now, what will happen to Catholic higher edu- Lafayette, La., writes, “I love doing it, I cation? By extension, if nothing is said now, what will plan to do many [Campus Rosary happen to the Faith? Rallies] for the summer and the rest of Respectfully, but firmly, protest the scheduled college. Thank you all for calling me and pro-homosexual “Out There” conference by I asking me to be a campus Rosary leader!” calling or writing to: 1. I am the LORD II Margaret Beacom writes, “This is your God, you shall Father Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M. have no other gods 6. You shall not great! Carry on, brave young soldiers of DePaul University President before me. commit adultery. Mary! The Rosary is the most powerful 2. You shall not take 7. You shall not 1 East Jackson Boulevard the Name of the steal. weapon against the evils of our world.” LORD your God in 8. You shall not bear Chicago, IL 60604-2287 vain. false To lead or join a Public Square Rosary 3. witness. Phone: (312) 362-8890 Keep holy the please call toll free (866) 584-6012 any- Sabbath day. 9. You shall not Fax: (312) 362-6822 4. Honor your father covet your time for advice or supplies to help and your mother. neighbor’s wife. E-mails: [email protected] 10. expand the 1,000 Public Square Rosary 5. You shall not kill. You shall not [email protected] covet your Crusade. " neighbor’s goods.

Another Seven Regional Conferences BY GARY ISBELL

In the May/June issue of Crusade we Catholic lives today. Mr. Norman reported on the March 10 Regional TFP Fulkerson spoke eloquently on Over sixty friends and supporters participated in the Los Conference in Topeka, Kan., the first of the themes from the book Angeles Regional Conference. Similar one-day conferences eight planned such events across the Revolution and Counter-Revolution were held in six other locations throughout the country. nation. Since then, TFP speakers have by Professor Plinio Corrêa de held similar one-day seminars in Los Oliveira. Mr. Luiz Solimeo delivered a tive aspects of today’s culture. Angeles, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; fascinating discourse on, “Eternal Law, At all the seminars, breaks and lunch Chicago, Ill.; Lafayette, La.; Saddle Brook, Natural Law and Positive Law” (see page time were occasions for lively discus- N.J.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Hazleton, Pa. 16 for the transcription), and Mr. sions. Both speakers and attendees left At each location, eager audiences lis- Michael Drake effectively linked Fatima invigorated after a day discussing a com- tened to enlightening talks applicable to to the struggle of countering the nega- mon ideal. "

14 Crusade July/August 2007 ANF PROGRESS REPORT Small Cloths Make One

Great Banner BY MICHAEL GORRE With the March/April issue of ner to be unfurled on the site of the third apparition. Crusade, America Needs Fatima apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. Together, all these prayer intentions friends and supporters received a small The response was wonderful! make an impressive, moving statement. piece of blue cloth. They were request- Thousands sent in their inscribed This banner will be at the shrine, close ed to write their names and intentions blue cloths. Presently these are being to the very place Our Lady appeared, as on each swatch, and to return these to affixed onto a great prayer banner another silent sentinel of efficacious our headquarters for the purpose of that will be ready to be sent to Fatima prayer of the America Needs Fatima attaching each cloth onto a great ban- mid-July to commemorate Our Lady’s family. "

started coming back to Mass. She promised to go to confes- sion and to do everything necessary to re-enter the Church. Our Readers Write... This, in turn, inspired the rest of my family to increase their devotion to the Holy Mother by saying the Rosary, as well as praying the novena. Thank you for the beautiful medal. $ Three days after the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady It has not only increased my devotion, but also my whole of Fatima graced our home, we heard from our daughter family’s devotion to the Holy Mother. after more than two years of searching and praying for her. J.D. (15 years old), Gallipolis, Ohio I continue to say the daily Rosaries in thanksgiving for this blessing and the many graces that continue to follow. $ We attended [recently] the Kansas Regional Conference N.B., McLeansville, N.C. and enjoyed it thoroughly. The talks were very inspiring and it was an honor to take part in the public Rosary afterward. $ The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was present at our We hope that the TFP will continue to hold these regional Rosary group meeting. I was amazed at the special graces conferences and look forward to next year’s conference! that flowed to our family after this visit. The very next week- Thank you and may Our Lady continue to bless your efforts end we prayed the family Rosary, something I’d longed for in spreading the Fatima message! some time. It was a beautiful experience with my husband M. and A.S., Topeka, Kan. and grown children. In the past, my daughter would leave the scene and turn on the television! I know Mary is truly $ Finally! A balanced look at the death penalty. I think with us and able to help us accomplish all things for Jesus! your article was well written. I have often had to defend my N.M., Streetaboro, Ohio stance as a Catholic who upholds the death penalty....I must admit that I expected this article to be against the $ The Rosary and poster arrived in perfect condition. We death penalty for you are a conservative and very tradition- look forward to the Rosary Rally and to pray openly with al group. Boy, was I ever pleasantly surprised! My thoughts others, professing our love and devotion to the Blessed are that the death penalty shouldn’t be levied lightly, and Mother. We have personally felt her protection many times not every murder case should be applied the death penalty, in our lives and hold fast to our belief in the power of the but only certain types of cases. Levying the death penalty Rosary. should only be done after much deliberation....Thanks M.N., Boynton Beach, Fla. for such a thoughtful, insightful article! H.C., via e-mail $ I have several Rosaries. Some I’m giving away, but I hope to be buried with this one [that you sent] as I have $ Well done—I pray that more students will join your requested my family to do. group. You are the future of a great country that the world M.Y., Rushville, Ohio has looked up to. May God continue to bless your efforts to $ After receiving the Miraculous Medal, I began praying stand up for Him in an increasingly godless world. With the accompanying novena. I prayed that my mother would young people like you, there is hope for the future. come back to the Church. Shortly after completing it, she D. and B.F., Surrey, B.C., Canada

Crusade July/August 2007 15 Eternal and Natural Law:

Commentary The Foundation of Morals and Law

BY LUIZ SÉRGIO SOLIMEO

ith morals and natural law Without Objective individual behavior, especially in sexual under siege today, and the Moral Law, Chaos Follows matters, and a kind of legislative/judi- W liberal agenda’s crosshairs For moral order to exist, there must be cial dictatorship imposing unnatural targeting our right to voice our moral an objective moral law easily perceived, laws on society. On the one hand, liberal convictions, we must be prepared to common to all men and obliging to all judges approve death by starvation, defend our position’s legitimacy.1 Either equally. Otherwise, everything would be abortion “rights” and favor the homo- we accept that the foundation of morals subject to men’s fantasies or to the sexual agenda while on the other hand and law lies in God’s wisdom or we rulers’ whims, leading to social chaos they remove religious symbols from become mired in the quicksand of and tyranny. Today we witness complete public places. today’s relativism. scorn for any moral rule that restrains Moral Law Is Connatural to Man Without an objective moral law, social In that case, morality would depend entirely on order is impossible. Therefore, an objec- tive moral law must exist to guide the number of policemen, and each man would need human behavior, and prevent that indi- a policeman to watch him at all times. But then, vidual freedom and the good of society be endangered. Not only must moral law as Juvenal, a pagan Roman satirist, put it, be objective but also be in accordance with man’s nature, that is, connatural “Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” “But who with him. If what the law commands, shall watch the watchmen?” forbids and allows did not resonate deep within man’s conscience, the only thing keeping man from breaking the law would be the fear of the police. In that case, morality would depend entirely on the number of policemen, and each man would need a policeman to watch him at all times. But then, as Juvenal, a pagan Roman satirist, put it, “Sed quis custodi- et ipsos custodes?” “But who shall watch the watchmen?”

The Law and the Will of the Legislator Let us consider another point. All law is a manifestation of the will of a legislator

If there were no objective moral law that resonates within each man’s conscience, ©iS tockphoto.com/ftwitty the only “solution” to chaos would be to establish a police state. But then, “who shall watch the watchmen”?

16 Crusade July/August 2007 who imposes, commands, forbids, per- mits and punishes. If the law is only a fruit of man’s will, how can it be imposed

upon other men? Since we all have the ©iStockphoto.com/Manfred_Konrad same nature, the will of any man is equal to that of another, and no one man can As we contemplate the universe, we sense a impose his will on another. Therefore, for a man-made law to bind other men, it harmony, an order that reverberates deeply in our must proceed from a will superior to souls and fills us with peace and awe. man’s will. For a law to be effective, it must originate in the God’s divine will. Saint Paul makes this clear when he create without a goal in mind. Being infi- ner. These are applicable to the human affirms that all authority comes from nite, God has in Himself all that is neces- body, not to the soul. Would man in his God: “Let every soul be subject to higher sary to the perfection of His nature. superior part, the soul, not also have powers: for there is no power but from Therefore, the goal of Creation could laws to help him understand and make God: and those that are, are ordained of only be God's extrinsic glory. This goal is decisions? In a universe guided by laws, God. Therefore he that resisteth the what orders and gives meaning to the could the creature whose intelligence power, resisteth the ordinance of God, universe. and free will place him above all others and they that resist, purchase to them- The order of the universe is only pos- be the only one not guided by laws? Of selves damnation.”2 sible because created beings are course not. In his intelligence and will, This is the solution—a human legis- endowed with perfection, with laws that man is also guided by laws that help him lator is only the representative of the guide them to their individual and gen- without impairing his liberty. He is natu- Supreme Legislator, and when we obey eral finality. For instance, all celestial rally subject to the laws of logic that the will of the human legislator, we sub- bodies move in an orderly manner fol- direct his reasoning, and to the princi- mit to God’s will, not to a man’s will. lowing a specific pattern. In a word, with ples of morals that direct his behavior. The law that precedes all human law the Psalmist we must say, “The heavens These laws that guide men have been is called Eternal Law. How can we shew forth the glory of God, and the fir- made by God. prove through reason the existence of mament declareth the work of his Eternal Law? hands.”3 Thus, laws direct the whole uni- Eternal Law verse. What about man? In order to explain Eternal Law, Saint The Laws of Nature Thomas Aquinas makes a comparison: We begin by observing reality. As we Intelligent Beings just as an artisan conceives a project, contemplate the universe, we sense a and the Laws of Nature such as a stained glass window, or a ruler harmony, an order that reverberates In this orderly universe—guided by the conceives a law before executing it, so deeply in our souls and fills us with laws of nature that God uses to direct does God, before creating something, peace and awe. Order is the proper dis- things—there are creatures that, though conceive in His Divine Wisdom the idea position of things according to their end. having material bodies, are endowed that will serve as a model for the being Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches that the with a spiritual soul superior to matter: He wanted to create. And since for God order of the universe is not random but human beings. there is no time, He conceived Creation of God. The laws of nature compel material and its laws from all eternity. This is why As Supreme Wisdom, God could not things to react in a predetermined man- we call eternal the laws that Infinite

Crusade July/August 2007 17 Ancient Greek pottery portraying the arrest of Antigone. In Sophocles’ play, Antigone disregarded the unjust command of the tyrant Creon to leave her brother’s corpse unburied. In facing the tyrant, she upheld the superiority of eternal and natural law.

Divine Wisdom conceived. “Accordingly,” But, if man transforms pleasure, Even the Pagans Knew About says Saint Thomas, “Eternal law is noth- which is a means that facilitates the Eternal Law and Natural Law ing else than the type of Divine Wisdom, abovementioned acts, into an end in Historically, even pagan cultures had the as directing all actions and movements.”4 itself, he goes against his own reason notion of Eternal Law and natural law. that shows it as a disorder. And in doing Thus, in Antigone, Sophocles writes of a Natural Law so he contradicts natural law and vio- tyrant, Creon, who upon conquering a Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that lates the objective norm of morality. As city forbids that the corpse of the city’s natural law is nothing more than the further proof to this point, Saint Paul leader be buried. Antigone, the sister of rational creature’s participation in the taught the Romans that the natural law the city leader, defied this cruel law and Eternal Law. Its general precept, from is inscribed in man’s heart.5 buried her brother. She is summoned which all the others follow, is that “good before Creon: is to be done and pursued, and evil is to Disorder as a Sin Creon: Tell me briefly—not in some be avoided.” Saint Thomas Aquinas affirms that order lengthy speech—were you By his natural reason, man perceives is connatural with nature, and thus, when aware there was a proclama- what is good or bad for him. He pre- something is disordered, it does not pro- tion forbidding what you did? serves his life, his property; he tends to ceed from nature. We can say that disor- Antigone: I’d heard of it. How could I marry and procreate. At the same time, der is unnatural. Therefore, to disobey a not? It was public knowledge. the fact that he shares the same nature law is to disobey God, and since God is Creon: And yet you dared to break with all men creates a natural link of fra- the Author of natural law, to disobey nat- those very laws? ternity to his fellow men. Thus, man per- ural law is to sin, and sin is a disorder.6 Antigone: Yes. Zeus did not announce ceives the goodness of his life, the legiti- those laws to me. And Justice macy of his property and the sanctity of Universality of the Natural Law living with the gods below sent his marriage; and he knows that it is bad Being rooted in human nature, natural no such laws for men. I did not to kill, to steal someone’s property or to law is universal and immutable because think anything which you pro- commit adultery. He also knows the end it applies to the entire human race equal- claimed strong enough to let a of each of his acts and how they must be ly. It commands and forbids consistently, mortal override the gods and in accordance with happiness on this everywhere and always. All men who their unwritten and unchang- earth and eternal beatitude. have the use of reason recognize natural ing laws. They’re not just for As a consequence, he knows it is law. This knowledge is incomplete in today or yesterday, but exist wrong to transform the means that help young children and impaired in insane forever, and no one knows him accomplish an act into the finality people. The same occurs with savages, where they first appeared.8 of that act. For instance, if he did not since extreme cases of savagery can take some pleasure in eating, an act that obscure the acknowledgement of natural Positive Law is fundamental for maintaining his life law. Extreme religious or moral degrada- Positive laws are those that God or man and health, he would tend to neglect tion can cause the same phenomenon. enacts, set as precept and command eating. The same goes for procreation. If History registers several examples of reli- obedience under threat of punishment. some pleasure were not linked to it, it gions engaging in human sacrifice as In the first case, we have Divine Positive would also be neglected, thereby caus- with the Carthaginians, and Aztecs and Law (for instance, the Decalogue). In the ing problems for the perpetuation of the “sacred” prostitution in the case of the second case, we have human positive human race. Phoenicians.7 law, which is made by human legislators.

18 Crusade July/August 2007 More people are longing

Human positive law must be based for something they have “The Truth Shall on natural law, and not on anyone’s never really known: Make You Free” whims, popular consensus or historical Although many are seduced by the circumstances. When positive law is not Christian Civilization. power of the Revolution, those who wish based on natural law, it is not a true law. to “counter” it have something the We are not obliged to obey it, and some- There is a widespread deceived do not. They have the force of times cannot obey it, as in Antigone. notion that we must truth and the power of grace. In spite of the general confusion and chaos, many Objective Moral return to the basics, to the people harbor a growing disgust for the Law Versus “Choice” lies of the Revolution, its ugliness, tyran- If we deny in theory or in practice the essentials of life, to the ny and darkness. objectivity of moral law, we transform Eternal Law and natural Slowly but surely, to use Professor the moral act into a mere “personal Corrêa de Oliveira’s metaphor, more and choice.” Many declare, “It is my con- law, to the Truth. more people are getting off the train of science that decides what a moral act is.” Revolution and turning toward the ideals It is true that conscience guided by rea- At the Apex of Revolution, of Counter-Revolution. More people are son judges whether something is good an Opportunity for longing for something they have never or bad, but to judge correctly conscience Counter-Revolution really known: Christian Civilization. must apply correct moral principles, If it is true that the moral fiber of socie- There is a widespread notion that we which are the objective norms that must ty is disintegrating and we are entering a must return to the basics, to the essen- guide our actions. In other words, per- time of persecution for Catholics, it is tials of life, to the Eternal Law and natu- sonal conscience does not create the also true that this tragic situation offers ral law, to the Truth. In a word, people are norm of morality: it only applies the hope. The Revolution is an evil process. beginning to long for the promise of Our moral rules embodied in the natural law. But its power lies in disguise and Savior, “And you shall know the truth, and Liberals confuse these two things and hypocrisy, like with the devil. That is the truth shall make you free.”13 convert morals into a capricious person- why Our Lord defined the devil as “a liar, And since without grace we can do al choice. By claiming that one can and the father thereof.”11 And Saint Paul nothing, what could be better than to “choose” to act as one wishes they deny admonishes us that “Satan himself resort continuously to Our Lady, who the objectivity of the moral law and the transformeth himself into an angel of the Church calls, seat of the Incarnate fact that all men have a fundamental light.”12 But when the Revolution pro- Wisdom and throne of the Divine Word notion of good and evil. claims that the vice against nature is a Himself? " reason for “pride” and that a mother can Moral Chaos and the “choose” to kill her baby, its true hideous Notes: Revolutionary Process face begins to appear and consequently 1. This article is based on a lecture given to TFP supporters in April 2007. Today’s moral chaos is the consequence its power of seduction weakens. 2. Romans 13:1–2. of the revolutionary process that 3. Psalm 18:2. Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira 4. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, called the “Revolution,” and denounced I–II q. 93, a. 1. and analyzed in his masterpiece, 5. Cf. Romans 2:14–15. 6. Cf. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Revolution and Counter-Revolution. He Theologica, I–II, q. 71, a. 1. saw this chaos as a result of the aban- 7. Some apostate kings of Judah adopted, at donment of the basic principles of times, the Phoenician cult of Astarte and Baal Catholic doctrine and of Christian with the “sacred” prostitution and were con- Civilization.9 demned by the Prophets (cf. I Kings 14:23–24; II Kings 23:7). Professor Corrêa de Oliveira empha- 8. Sophocles, Antigone, trans. Ian Johnston; sized that the loss of the sense of sin is http://www.mala.bc.ca/%7Ejohnstoi/sophocles/a one of the main causes of the current ntigone.htm. crisis. And he presented, as an impor- Revolution and 9. Cf. “Revolution and Counter-Revolution,” tant task for the Counter-Revolution, to http://www.tfp.org/what_we_think/rcronline.html. Counter-Revolution 10. Cf. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, Revolution revive the notion of good and evil, of sin and Counter-Revolution (Hanover, PA: American By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira in general, Original Sin and actual sin.10 Tradition, Family and Property, 2002), 73; Thus, the notion of Eternal Law and nat- Softcover, 211 pages http://www.tfp.org/what_we_think/rcr.pdf. ural law, as the basis of morals and the B43 ...... $9.95 11. John 8:44. law, is of crucial importance nowadays. 12. 2 Corinthians 11:14. 1-888-317-5571 13. John 8:32.

Crusade July/August 2007 19 Chapter XXII

Revolution and Clash of Cultures counter- revolution in History Part Two: Moctezuma and the Aztecs

BY JEREMIAS WELLS

Many of us, at least occasionally, have The same religious zeal and desire for remove the devil from the Indies and his a tendency of viewing activities of past glory provided the momentum that car- power over the Indians. centuries, especially the sixteenth, ried the Spanish across the ocean seas through the prism of contemporary sen- to America, which became an extension Hernan Cortes sibilities. These frequently reflect a mod- of the Reconquest. That Cortes followed Cortes was born into a family of the less- ern mind-set shaped by liberal political the same crusading inspiration should er nobility in the harsh, uncompromis- correctness that was totally absent in not surprise us, for both his father and ing Extremadura region of Spain where the motivations and convictions of the uncle fought in the campaign against most men learn to ride and bear arms as principal players of that century. Granada. In his letters to Charles V, a second vocation. At the age of fourteen Although pioneered by the which are considered important literary he entered the University of Salamanca, Portuguese and Spanish, overseas works, he often referred to Indian tem- one of the four great learning centers in expansion among the heathen soon cap- ples as mosques and indicated that the Christendom, where with an exception- tivated the adventurous spirit of the service of God required him to bring the ally astute mind he studied Latin gram- English and other European nations. All unconverted into the fold or to make mar and law. After two years, he found adhered to the law of nations (jus gen- war on those who refused. Moreover, the constraints of academia irksome tium), which conferred the right to bring like many other thoughtful Catholics of and spent the next few years wandering civilization and Christianity to the his day, he saw that the world was gov- about looking for adventure and plying Indians and in return subject them to erned by two forces: God and Satan and his trade as a public notary. the authority of their sovereign. that God had chosen his sovereign to The educated adventurer sailed to We must also admit certain realities. the Caribbean, arriving in Hispaniola, Although Christian doctrine stated that Columbus’ favorite island, in 1504. Six all men were equal in the eyes of God years later he accompanied Diego because all mankind had descended Velasquez as secretary in his capture of from Adam, certain distinctions were Cuba, soon to be the staging area for the drawn based on religious and cultural conquest of Mexico. Heretofore, Cortes viewpoints. European Christians of the achieved his moderate success owing to sixteenth century saw pagans as inferi- his enormous skill in diplomacy and the or peoples because they had never art of handling men. known Christ, and the Jews and the Velasquez sent out two expeditions Moors were held in suspicion as poten- to explore the Mexican coast. The first tial enemies because they had rejected one was ambushed, badly mauled and Him, and the latter certainly returned returned with the captain-general that animosity. mortally wounded after the crew suf- The distinction between hostile reli- fered overwhelming hardship and gions was not lost on the Spanish for thirst. The second failed because the they had endured Moslem territorial captain lacked effective leadership and oppression for almost 800 years. When succumbed to overcautiousness. The Ferdinand and Isabella made their tri- qualities necessary to conquer and set- umphal entry into the Moorish city of tle Mexico against millions of homici- Granada in 1492 to receive the sword of dal Indians required a man of great victory, Christopher Columbus stood Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes inner strength and vision, qualities there watching. (1485–1547). that Cortes possessed in abundance.

20 Crusade July/August 2007 Hernan Cortes’ route from Cuba to Mexico. After establishing the town of Vera Cruz, Cortes made it clear that retreat was not an option by burning his ships.

What Velasquez wanted was a man Mexico where he reconnoitered the area lation to extremes never imagined by completely subservient to him and for a base camp. There he gleaned the the Assyrians, Babylonians or the feared that the shrewd commander outstanding information about a huge, Seleucids during the time of Antiochus would cast off his authority as he had wealthy empire 200 miles inland from IV, which almost obliterated the faith done to the Columbus family when he that point and its powerful emperor, among the Jews during the Machabean seized Cuba. Nevertheless, the corpu- Moctezuma. resistance. lent governor allowed Cortes to organ- With all available land occupied, the ize the expedition by recruiting sol- Aztec Degeneration Aztecs, the last, most feared and least diers, enlisting ships and their men, When one studies the pre-Christian, humane tribe to arrive in the Valley of and securing supplies. Just before pagan empires, a continual pattern of Mexico, built up a fabulous city, embarkation, the governor tried to overwhelming rapacity and cruelty Tenochtitlán, on the waters of Lake recall him, but the young adventurer emerges. However, the Aztecs carried Texcoco. Using fear and ruthless aggres- was not going to allow petty motives to the imposition of human pain and muti- sion, they then subjugated the neighbor- stand in the way of a glorious enter- ing tribes to their form of brutal worship prise that would be pleasing to both The Aztecs carried the and political control. God and his king and sailed off into As the Mexica extended their greatness and a date with destiny. imposition of human pain dominion, they sent word to distant Cortes roughly followed the same cities and tribal compounds to accept route and procedure of the first two and mutilation to Aztec sovereignty, pay tribute and to expeditions with the exception that he extremes never imagined turn over a regular supply of young men brought to his task greater determina- for sacrificial victims, for from the mid- tion and preparation and a stronger by the Assyrians, dle of the fifteenth century until the faith in God. He landed on an island off victory of Cortes they used human sac- the northeast coast of the Yucatan Babylonians or the rifice as the chief instrument of intimi- Peninsula, then sailed past the northern Seleucids during the time dation and control. If the various tribal end and halfway down the west coast units complied quickly, the cost where he encountered fierce opposition. of Antiochus IV, which remained minimal. However if they dal- Outnumbered 300 to 1, he routed the lied, the cost increased. For those who natives because he had the foresight to almost obliterated the refused, the Aztec legions came and bring heavier artillery and 13 horses, the faith among the Jews slaughtered until the recalcitrants cried first the Indians had ever seen. After out for mercy. The conquerors then killing 800 with only 2 dead and 14 during the Machabean dragged a large segment of the popula- wounded on his side, the intrepid adven- tion, sometimes numbering in the turer moved 300 miles up the Gulf of resistance. thousands, back to Tenochtitlán to be

Crusade July/August 2007 21 He overcame the lack of enthusiasm in his own soldiers by resorting to one sacrificed to the great god of creation, tribes that reached one third of their Huitzilopochli. of most audacious production, not to mention the thou- The priests lined up the victims maneuvers in the history sands of young men required for sacri- before the great temple, dragged them fice to their demonic deities. Only two up the long staircase one by one to the of daring exploits. He classes existed in the Valley of Mexico, top and handed them over to six priests. those born for pleasure and those born Four priests grabbed the next victim, burned his own ships. to perpetual servitude. Resistance and one on each limb, turned him over and frequent insurrection arose in the slammed him on his back onto a large than two decades later, a profound provinces and distant cities where con- stone. The fifth slid a hook over his degeneration infected the Mexican trol was hindered by the distance from throat to squelch the screams and the Empire. The members of the royal the capital city. Closer to home, many officiant with a forceful, clean stroke family (ruling lords) proliferated at an potential and dangerous enemies lay split open the rib cage, reached into the enormous rate due to the extravagant waiting for an opportunity to bring chest cavity and ripped out his beating indulgence in the harem system. They down the knavish cause of their tor- heart and then kicked him over the side. kept hundreds of concubines and each ment. One city-state, Tlaxcala, halfway In the decades before the arrival of member produced well over a hundred between the coast and the lake district Cortes, the Mexica introduced more children that created a bloated upper that always maintained its independ- excruciating forms of torture and vio- class, especially when the results of ence, would eventually provide signifi- lent death to symbolize their power, but the promiscuity of the second and cant support to the Spanish. the above description should be suffi- third levels of the lesser lords is added The foundation of the empire built on cient to illustrate their ruthless disre- to the total. A process of dehumaniza- fear and oppression began to crumble as gard for human compassion, benevo- tion resulted that turned the peasants unrest and rebellion increased. Strange lence and justice that should be a char- into serfs and then slaves in order to natural phenomena such as an unusually acteristic of any true civilization. supply the food, clothing and luxury bright comet or a destructive flooding of items demanded by the highborn par- the lake were whipped up by hysteria into Moctezuma II asites. omens of imperial collapse. However, Between the ascension of Moctezuma The Mexica extracted a ruinous trib- when Moctezuma heard reports of in 1503 and the arrival of Cortes less ute from the conquered nations and strange floating castles arriving offshore manned by men with white skin and dark beards who had power over thunder and lightning, his arrogant self-confi- A scene from a Mexican codex portraying the dence was shattered and he entered into ritual of human sacrifice a period of self-doubt and uncertainty. that dominated the The advice from his principal coun- Aztec religion. Codex selors ran all the way from resistance by Magliabecchiano. Biblioteca Nazionale, force to providing a friendly reception Florence, Italy. since the Conquistadors told the coastal natives that they were ambassadors from a foreign prince. The superstitious mind of the emperor, however, chose the middle ground, which is often the least viable. He sent then an embassy bearing rich impressive gifts, but refused per- mission to allow them to approach Tenochtitlán.

Troubles of Cortes Meanwhile on the beach, Cortes had his own problems. Nothing tries the patience of a soldier as the idleness of a military camp, especially when he suf- fers from excessive heat and irritating

22 Crusade July/August 2007 Continued from back cover… buildings lucky to last a few generations, much less centuries. Variety gives way to abject simplification and soulless stan- dardization. Industrialization minimizes exception and inequalities, limiting cre- ativity. Soon, the “spirit” of the machine becomes an autocratic force that man must recognize, dictating to man who must adapt to what the machine pro- The medieval town of Assisi, Italy. Proportion, quality and variety combine in this town to give duces. Immense proportions, hard “breathing space” to modern man’s soul, often crushed by the disproportion of metropolises. lines, devoid of curves and adornment, cold steel, sleek glass, and noisy streets not just a number, a place where he can leave the human soul cold. The styles Something deep within touch real stone and not composite may be “in” but they never quite make it one’s being rejoices at material, a place where his eyes may “into” man’s innermost sanctum, the delight in the variety of centuries of place that pines for the laws of his God- the stone buildings with artistic inspiration. made nature. Which city is bigger? Physically, little Although the ultimate “functional” two-feet-thick walls, Assisi could fit into a couple of blocks of man is what modern cities produce, the huge metropolis. But the place that the stress of dehumanization eventual- withstanding proudly contributed to create the universally ly sets in, and man pines over a known founder, crusader, mystic and brochure of a little medieval town. He the test of time, their saint, cannot be small. If our readers are dreams of a smaller place with enough ever in Assisi, Italy, we invite them to spiritual space for his soul to breathe age an adornment visit this jewel of medieval ingenuity and and to spread the wings of contempla- judge for themselves. " tion; a place where he can feel as a rather than a blemish. unique human being with a name and * “The Poor One.”

Continued from page 22… insects. The questionable loyalty of tunity, if indeed he did not execute answer only to Charles V and dis- many of his troops who were followers him. Half his men still loyally followed patched a ship laden with gold and of Velasquez added to the problems of Velasquez and the other half thought other treasures to the Spanish court the wily commander. While pondering their families and farms on Cuba with the news. He overcame the lack of his next move, Cortes struck up a friend- offered better prospects than tangling enthusiasm in his own soldiers by ship with the Totonacs, one of the with several million vicious cannibals. resorting to one of the most audacious oppressed tribes that provided him with He resolved the political problem by maneuvers in the history of daring invaluable intelligence about the grow- legally transforming the military camp exploits. He burned his own ships. No ing discontent inside the Aztec Empire, into a civil community according to options remained: move forward into along with several hundred men who Spanish law in which he was well enemy territory or die on the beach. " served as laborers and porters. versed from his studies at Salamanca. The keen mind of Cortes quickly After he built the town of Vera Cruz Bibliographical Note: saw the value of the internal friction as (True Cross), he chose as town officials Although most histories of Mesoamerica touch on the violence of Aztec life, at least to a tool to overthrow the barbarous a man from his own party and one some extent, the most complete picture can be regime, yet few military commanders from the opposition, and the entire found in R.C. Padden, The Hummingbird and the have sat in such a precarious position. company then elected their shrewd Hawk (Ohio State U. P., 1967). Written in 1843, The base from which he departed was leader captain general and chief jus- William H. Prescott’s The Conquest of Mexico is, in control of an inveterate enemy who tice, thus ending the jurisdiction of nevertheless, still useful. It is available in several editions. would imprison him at the first oppor- Velasquez. Henceforth he had to

Crusade July/August 2007 23 Medieval Town and Modern Metropolis: Which is BIGGER?

BY ANTHONY MILLER

he photos above are of Assisi, Italy, home to Somehow those walls live with the personalities of Saint Francis, “Il Poverello,”* whose great those that have made the town great, and look T soul is so rich that it fills this enchanting down on one with the benign composure of cen- town. Even the official tourist guide claims the turies-old wisdom. saint’s spirit hovers over the city. “The peace of Another factor is variety.

Assisi is so thick you can cut it,” comments one pil- The medieval artists’ expert hands carved the Ambiences, grim. Attested by many visitors, this fact is certain- stone into an endless variation of shapes and Customs and ly the main reason for this peace, but there is also forms, bringing forth the exception in the creativi- Civilizations a natural reason for the well-being one feels when ty of each artist. One cannot help but smile while walking narrow winding streets lined with quaint walking through such a town filled with silent eter- houses, as one looks down a picturesque alley, as nal artistic testimonies. one crosses a graceful arch or marvels at a corner Proportionality rests, quality pleases and variety shrine. This factor, which was present before Saint inspires. In Assisi, one’s spirit ascends. Francis was born, cradled him, nurtured him and helped his spirit soar. Modern Contrast This factor is proportionality. In this other photo, we see a modern industrial In medieval Assisi every- metropolis, the result of the thing answers to a need in us power of the machine. The for proportionality to ourselves. advent of industry, with all its There are no mammoth build- promises for the betterment of ings, no gigantic skyscrapers, humanity, soon forgot serving no roaring subways and no man. Along with the practical- massive malls. As one walks ity of the machine, came the upon cobbled pavements, lis- “spirit” of the machine spelled tening to the soft echo of one’s in one talismanic word, “func- footsteps, a wonderful soothing tionality.” feeling takes over. No one feels Something in the very alienated. There are no "num- dynamism of functionality bers" in this town, only names. ignores proportionality in favor Another factor is quality. of megaprojects. As buildings Something deep within one’s grow gigantic, machinery pro- being rejoices at the stone liferates and noise increases. buildings with two-feet-thick Quality is sacrificed to quantity walls, withstanding proudly the as the production line sends up test of time, their age an adorn- ment rather than a blemish. Continued on reverse…