Fr. Emil Kapaun – A TrueMan, and Great Example of Holiness
Father Emil Kapaun of Pilsen, Kansas died a hero at the young age of 35 in a North Korean POW camp in 1951. His message of hope and resolve to never give up still resonates today. The family of Chase Kear hoped that praying to Kapaun would help heal Chase, who was critically injured in 2008. Now the Vatican is investigating whether Chase Kear is a miracle, and whether Kapaun deserves to be a saint. Whether the Church officially canonizes Fr. Kapaun or not, we can all take many lessons from him. He was a true servant, always putting others and their needs before his own. He broke racial and religious barriers by being courageous enough to speak and live the Good News of Jesus Christ as Lord. May He rest in peace. Here is a good site to read more about Fr Kapaun, and now two trailers about a documentary that was made about Fr. Kapaun.
Version 1:
Version 2:
The TrueManhood Code
The singing cowboy, Gene Autry, had certain rules about what it takes to be a cowboy. I think what he had to say works not only for cowboys, but for all men.
If you’ll notice, Mr. Autry clearly stated that a cowboy ‘MUST’ do these things… they aren’t options. A TrueMan, too, doesn’t have the option to tell the truth or not, or to be a good worker only some of the time. A TrueMan can’t only respect women on occasion or have clean personal habits from time-to-time. In order to be a TrueMan, we work to possess the character of a real, authentic man, living out the role that God created us for, and we do it at all times. The life of a TrueMan isn’t simply a switch we turn on when we’re in public, or when we’re in a job interview, or when we’re trying to impress someone. It is a lifestyle, a complete and totally devoted lifestyle in which we surrender all unto the Lord, for He is our master and our purpose. The TrueManhood Code is a life of virtue.
May you always live virtue, and in all things, glorify God.
Man up!
For the Sake of Others
Something that’s been on my mind lately is the idea of suffering… suffering not in the sense of physical anguish or truly desperate spiritual tribulations, but the idea of suffering in the sense of offering up troublesome times for the sake of others. There are plenty of times in our lives when we can look selfishly upon a situation and complain about how bad we have it. There are plenty of times when we have a skewed view of what’s actually happening in our lives. These times call us to a higher standard, they call us to holiness.
I want to submit a challenge to everyone reading this post. The challenge is this: over the next seven days (start today and go for one week), I challenge you to step outside of your own mindset and put yourself in the shoes of those around you. Once you do this, I challenge you to offer up your suffering for them. By offering up your suffering for them, you are asking for grace to be abundantly poured out upon them. You take the little situations (or big) that are hard to deal with, and you place them at the foot of the cross. You do this for others around you, not for yourself. So think about the homeless person you drove past today asking for some spare change, the cashier at the super market, a newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and offer up to the Father all your struggles for their sake. Maybe your sacrifice will lessen the troubles they experience.
This sort of behavior is counter-cultural. It may feel weird at times, and you will probably never know the outcome of your sacrifice, but I guarantee that it will change your life. Anytime you can lessen your selfish behavior and grow in holiness, I recommend taking that opportunity.
This time of year, I often think not only of the birth of Christ, or merely of the uncompromising “Yes!” of Mary, but also, the incredibly manly sacrifice of St. Joseph. Do you realize how hard the journey to Bethlehem would have been? Not only DID HE WALK HIS PREGNANT BETROTHED TO BETHLEHEM 100 MILES AWAY from Nazareth!, he put up with public ridicule, family shame and abandonment for being associated with an unmarried pregnant woman and still chose to raise Jesus. I can imagine St. Joseph (an incredible example of TrueManhood) never complaining, never mistreating Mary, never giving in on anything for Jesus. What an incredible man. May we all follow in his footsteps and be strong for Jesus, even in the face of suffering.
Man up!
To a Child, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E
Please take some time to watch this video. I think it’s easy for us, especially those of us who are parents, to lose perspective of what’s important. This video hit me profoundly and I have been striving to incorporate other’s desires, views and opinions into my daily life.
Man up!
Man-ifesto, Needs Context
A message about the Docker’s “Man-ifesto” came through my inbox today and I wanted to draw some attention to it. The point of what Dockers is trying to do comes across, however, I think it needs some explanation in order to make it better. This explanation sets the context of what manhood is, why it is vital and how a man can live TrueManhood.
I really like the parts about gentlemanly behavior. I tend to believe that chivalry is dying, but I know that it can be resurrected from the dead if men would take a few extra seconds here and there to help women out (it needs to then become a mindset) AND if women allow a man to be a gentleman. The loss of masculinity in our culture is overwhelming, which is a big reason why I operate this website. Males tend to give into societal pressures (vanity and pride are big here) and because of the idea of “cultural manliness” (if you don’t know what this is, you need to read more of my writings here! Use the search box to find CULTURAL MANLINESS!) are often rewarded for doing so. If you haven’t heard Brad Paisley’s song, “I’m Still a Guy”, he mentions lots of stuff about the decline of masculinity: “These days, there’s dudes gettin’ facials, manicured, waxed and botoxed. With deep spray on tans, and creamy-lotiony hands, you can’t grip a tackle box. With all of these dudes linin’ up get nudered it’s hip now to be feminized…” It’s funny, haha, but true. A way for us to gauge our own behavior and motivations is to look at the most manly men we know. This doesn’t mean Chuck Norris and Charleston Heston, this means TrueMen, like St. Joseph, St. Thomas More and Jesus Himself! These men exemplify manliness, they are our guides.
The Dockers Man-ifesto takes jabs at stuff like salad bars, misbehaved children and complacency, but it never answers the question ‘why’.
The term “wear the pants” is typically misconstrued and misused; typically the term means something similar to dominate, or rule over. This is NOT the role of a man. A TrueMan leads, yes, but not with an iron fist. A TrueMan makes decisions, but not by force. A TrueMan loves and honors and respects. (In the coming days, as soon as I have my voice back, I’m producing a video talking more about this topic.)
And let’s be clear, the “call to manhood” is to live virtue! In Latin, virtus means manliness!
I urge men and women to read through Docker’s Man-ifesto and determine what areas should be worded differently if it was the TrueMan-ifesto. Maybe I’ll do that too, and post my thoughts on it. Your comments are appreciated.
Man up!
Congratulations on Graduation Day, Thomas!
Today is a monumental day in the life of The Avolio Family, and for the family’s friends. Today, Wednesday, December 16, 2009,
Thomas Avolio is graduating from the United States Air Force Academy and will receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Although many young men and women graduate from the Air Force Academy each year, none come anywhere close to measuring up to Thomas’ life.
In 2006, Thomas was hiking a mountain directly behind the cadet area, called Eagle’s Peak. To summit Eagle’s Peak, the hiker must exert a significant amount of energy, which all becomes well-worth it once atop this hallowed peak; the view is marvelous. For Thomas, the last time he hiked the mountain would change his life forever.
Due to a loss of traction, Thomas took an incredibly vicious fall, falling 200 vertical feet. His body was mangled, his limbs were broken. Luckily, three young men were hiking below and rushed to his aid. Thanks to their quick thinking and previous first aid training, they were able to stabilize Thomas and call for help. Hours and hours went by as authorities attempted to save his life. Flight for Life was called in and flew Thomas to a local hospital. With the loss of blood, the trauma to his brain and the severity of his injuries, the doctors showed almost no signs of hope. However, in an incredible miracle directly from God, Thomas managed to fight for his life.
I was present for a great deal of Thomas’ recovery. I visited him in the hospital, spent countless hours praying and offering Mass for his recovery and spent many long days with his family at the hospital. It appeared, early on, that Thomas would be devastated by the fall and that he would rely on machines, apparatus and other’s loving care to make it in life. At this point, it was a real-life miracle that he was even alive. All the odds were against him, but Thomas had a different plan. From the first time that Thomas came to (out of his coma) and was able to coherently think and talk, he spoke of returning to the Academy one day and becoming an officer, as he had dreamed of in the past. His determination was strong and fierce.
Although it took lots of time in rehab and time learning how to talk, walk and think, Thomas never said can’t. He demonstrated an amazing attitude, something we can all learn from and strive to possess. Today, Thomas is proving that hard work, determination and prayer can get us through anything.
Thomas is a TrueMan. He is a man of deep faith. He strives for holiness. He works on living virtue. He shares his life with those around him. Thomas, keep up the great work, my friend. You deserve many blessings. Way to Man up!
Camouflage and Christmas Lights
Please take a moment to watch the following video. Even more important than the pictures, are the words to the song. The song “Camouflage and Christmas Lights” is sung by Rodney Carrington. Typically, I do not recommend his stuff, as it is usually vulgar and crude, however, this song is well-worth passing along.
I want to thank my brother (unnamed) for what he does for all of us. He’s deployed now, for the third time, and will be away from home for Christmas. Come home soon, bro.
A great friend of mine is also deployed, and will be missing Christmas with his wife and daughters. Justin, be safe.
To all our service men and women, a sincere thank you.
Man up!
