Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (English Province); Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P.; and Fr. Colm Mannion, O.P. (Irish Province);
with United States Naval Academy Catholic Midshipmen who enrolled in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity.
PROMOTING AUTHENTIC SEXUALITY
IN A DISORDERED AGE
An interview with Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P.
Founded in the 17th century, the Angelic
Warfare Confraternity is an association of
the faithful entrusted by the pope to the
Dominican Order with the goal of helping
its members grow in the virtue of purity.
Members wear the cord or medal of St.
Thomas Aquinas and commit to pray for one
another daily. In our time, the Confraternity
has become a powerful weapon against
pornography. BlackFriars spoke with Fr.
Ambrose Little (pictured above), Promoter
of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity for
the Province of St. Joseph, which has over
10,000 members, about this battle.
What is the nature of the sexual crisis we are
facing today?
The world has been so inundated with
pornography that other issues are cropping
up around it. It’s no longer just a private thing,
but can be a source of abuse and relationship
issues. For instance, pornography is the
leading cause of erectile dysfunction among
college-age males and they are no longer
attracted to normal women. It’s also become
a problem for young couples early on in their
marriage who may grow apart because one
spouse is addicted to pornography.
How can the Angelic Warfare Confraternity
help?
Pornography is an addiction for people,
and they need grace. The Confraternity
offers them a new avenue of grace that’s
focused on this particular area. For those
who aren’t struggling with deep sin, the
Confraternity helps them continue to resist
the temptations of living in a sexually explicit
society. Growth in purity means beginning
to look upon the world less as a temptation
and more as a sign and symbol of the glory
of God. What we’re really trying to do is fulfill
the sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of
heart for they shall see God.”
What does the Confraternity offer dating or
married Catholics?
A lot of engaged couples fall into a possessive
mindset: “We’re going to have this great
house, we’re going to have this great family,
and you’re going to make me really h appy.”
Whereas, if they begin to look upon the
world with a pure gaze, the focus becomes
how much their relationship is going to bring
them closer to God and how, as a couple,
they can bring God to their children, friends,
and family.
BlackFriars - Volume III, Issue IV
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