“Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are proceeded by a personal encounter with Him. Theological insights are gained not only from between two covers of a book, but from two bent knees before an altar. The Holy Hour becomes like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul and fetid atmosphere of the world.” – Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

In a recent article over at “The Catholic Gentleman,” Jason Craig takes a look at the emphasis used in most youth ministry programs, in his excellent article, “How Fathers and Families Can Save Youth Ministry From Itself.“

While praising the hard work of youth ministers and their teams, Jason points out that almost all of these teens never end up volunteering to be mentors, once they become adults. This is just a symptom of a greater need. In today’s Catholic Church, youth ministers understand that their primary role is to “evangelize” these teens. What? Why would teens need evangelizing? Hasn’t that already occurred in the home?

Jason quote’s from a book by Christian Smith: Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,

“Most American teens turn out religiously to look a lot like their parents – not always, but very often … It does not appear to be the case that most U.S. Catholic parents of teenagers are struggling to live out vibrant lives of Catholic faith and yet find teenagers to be religiously apathetic and resistant. Rather, it appears that the relative religious laxity of most U.S. Catholic teenagers significantly reflects the relative religious laxity of their parents.”

Jason adds, “In other words, youth are not the problem. Parents are the problem. So if we want to fix this problem why are we focusing so much on youth? … There is no command in the Bible to have a youth ministry program. Every mention of ‘reaching young people’ is directed to families, especially fathers … The most influential person in a young persons life is their father.”

Research shows that if a father does not practice his faith, no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. However, if a father regularly practices his faith, regardless of the practice of the mother, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers.

Many fathers today believe they simply cannot do this … they do not have the power to influence their children in growing up to become devoted Catholics. They are correct! These fathers must first become POWERED UP!

St. Maximilian Kolbe put it this way …

“Sometimes one hears people complain: ‘I would like to correct myself; I would like to be better, but I just can’t!’ … 

 

How can we counteract this? In such circumstances it might seem to be a sign of humility to recognize one’s own powerlessness, just as when people say: ‘I can’t correct myself!’ But in reality there is a secret sort of pride hidden there. All this shows is that they count on their own strength exclusively and think that they can do this or that, relying solely on their powers.

 

This is not true; it is a lie, because with our own strength alone, all by ourselves, without divine help, we are not capable of doing anything, absolutely anything” (cf. Jn 15:5).

If fathers want to be the “force of faith” in their families, they simply must submit to God’s supernatural grace! 

This is the whole premise behind the worldwide movement to reach men by calling them to gather together for a monthly Holy Hour of Adoration before the King of Kings, Sacramental Confession to purify their soul and receive the full power of the Holy Spirit, and a fraternal social to build that supportive “Band of Brothers” dedicated to the spiritual leadership of their families.

Cardinal Burke believes “this is the greatest need of our times,” and this is why he has chosen to be the Spiritual Head of this movement entitled, “The Holy League.”

Men! You are the St. Joseph’s of your families! Any movement of evangelization begins with the devotional faith of families! And, your devoted faith MATTERS! Join this movement! It will change the world!

To get more information and join the Holy League movement, go to holyleague.com