It would be hard to say that all is well in Church and State across the planet this August of 2026. Last month, I pointed out the contribution played by fatherhood in any healthy society—and imputed a great deal of our current mess to its lack. This is certainly true; but there are other aspects of masculinity we lack in our modern world—especially among Catholics. But what I will speak of here is not a hard and fast masculine identity—like those of father, king, and priest—but a spirit, of which any and all might take part to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon what God demands of them as they make their way in life. It is the spirit of the Cavalier.

Perhaps it is an ideal that is perennial. What would a modern Cavalier be like? On the one hand, he would have a deep Catholic Faith, grounded in the Creeds and anchored by the miraculous. At the same time, he would understand and accept the frailties of human nature, judging himself most severely before he worried about the peccadilloes of others. He would strive against being petty in his own life, understanding that others might not be so inclined.

He would be flexible in tactics but never in belief. He would strive to be true to his loyalties but savvy in the ways of the world. Evangelization would be on his mind, as it was with St. Paul, but he would “temper the wind to the shorn lamb.” He would know his etiquette but be as much of an outdoorsman as he could. Moreover, he would attempt to master the skills of his occupation not simply for a wage but that—be he farmer, soldier, writer, or musician—he could use those skills if ever the standard were raised and the bugle called to defend the Altar.

Certainly, one can find many examples of such a one who have fallen far short of the ideal; but from priest to peasant, what rank is there in society that has not many such. All of us laymen—and even, within their divinely appointed limits, priests and religious—should strive to make the Cavalier spirit our own. The world’s youth do not need would-be Puritans as mentors; they need men who can lead and follow in the most glorious cause—that of Christ the King.

The Lord chose the apostles, that they should be with Him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.

Every Christian is chosen—chosen for similar deeds, namely: to be with the Lord, through unceasing remembrance of Him and awareness of His omnipresence, through the preaching and fulfillment of His commandments, and through a readiness to confess one’s faith in Him. In those circles where such a confession is made, it is a loud sermon for all to hear.

Every Christian has the power to heal infirmities—not of others, but his own, and not of the body, but of the soul—that is, sins and sinful habits—and to cast out devils, rejecting evil thoughts sown by them, and extinguishing the excitement of passions enflamed by them.

Do this and you will be an apostle, a fulfiller of what the Lord chose you for, an accomplisher of your calling as messenger. When at first you succeed in all this, then perhaps the Lord will appoint you as a special ambassador—to save others after you have saved yourself; and to help those who are tempted, after you yourself pass through all temptations, and through all experiences in good and evil.

But your job is to work upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the hands of God. He who humbles himself shall be exalted.