Exploring the Connection Between Martial Arts Practice and Spiritual Growth in the Catholic Faith.

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Father Leo reflects on the inspirational value of martial arts and competition, drawing parallels between the two and the faith journey. He shares personal experiences as a martial arts instructor and former athlete, emphasizing that being a martial artist does not hinder one's Catholic faith. Father Leo encourages enrolling children in martial arts for the discipline and self-control it instills, highlighting the importance of a good teacher who understands one's beliefs. He discusses board breaking as a technique applicable to life, requiring endurance and pushing past obstacles, and draws parallels between martial arts and spiritual growth, emphasizing perseverance, understanding, and seeking beyond the basics. Father Leo suggests that engaging in martial arts or other semi-violent sports can aid individuals in their journey towards sainthood by developing discipline, focus, and perseverance. He invites viewers to consider this perspective and supports the creators' Patreon community for further faith, culture, and commentary content.

00:00:00 Martial arts as a reflection of faith and personal growth.
00:05:00 The value of early martial arts training and its life lessons.
00:10:00 How martial arts can aid spiritual development

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[ronaldtrunk]

i enrolled my son into martial arts. it has taught him discipline and self control and respect for others. he even won a gold medal in sparring and forms. it literally has changed his life to learn hard work and effort has rewards

[Caedmon]

Thank you Father! FMA and Kajukenbo practitioner here! I find that martial arts teaches humility and patience (you don't last very long if you don't)!

[BigStack-vgku]

Playing D1 college football taught me to persevere through way more than I believed possible. It was a great help for my faith. Gray topic and truth!

[raphy]

Thank you Fr. Leo. I practiced martial arts all my years. I was a 1st deg black belt in WTSD Assoc and now I'm a current of West Coast Wing Chun practitioner in SD, Ca and a Babao Arnis. I also did Pekiti Tirsia. I practice these arts as a suppkement to prayer and sacrifice offered to God and respect for the temple of the Holy Spirit.

[marybailey]

Thank you Fr Leo for all you do to provide insight our Faith development 🙏🏻🌹🙏🏻

[claudialeyva]

Thank you so much father Leo I had questions about this. I learned martial arts when I was of the age of seven years old had questions about this and you answered them right away. Thank you so much for your knowledge.

[rikimaru]

There are many saints that know a lot about warfare/martial arts. One of my favorites is Blessed Dom Justo Takayama.

[ROGUE.JOURNALIST]

Hi Fr. Leo.
Yes, I took many years of martial arts in many styles and disciplines. My first martial art was TKD my real introduction into the martial arts and still my favorite style. Just found your channel and I was actually looking for an answer to this question because I'm Catholic first and I don't like straying from the faith. I quit doing yoga many years ago when I learned that yoga is basically Hinduism prayers.
What made me skeptical recently about martial arts is 2 things 1: martial arts are basically violent.
2: Martial arts like Kung fu can be traced back to shaolin monks that trained at a shaolin temple. So if I'm not mistaken, shaolin temple monks are basically Buddhist monks and Kung fu is connected then to Buddhism. Thailand, the country of Thai boxing and Muy Thaiy is also basically a Buddhist country. Bruce Lee would teach philosophy, but he would very often be quoting Buddhist teachings as well as quoting from Confucius. As I got older I kept training, but I would avoid all the pagan and non-Christian aspects of all the martial arts. Since I was a kid I always dreamed of being a martial arts instructor, but that never really happened as I found a decent paying blue collar job and left very little time for dreams. I might retire from my job soon and I would love to finally live my dream. Now that I know how martial arts can be made compatible with our catholic faith. I live in the Los Angeles area if any one is interested in kicking off my Catholic dojo!
Thank you Fr. Leo for this video!
I'm a cradle Catholic and always put God first.
I trained in all the following martial arts including Army combatives; TKD, Bushido Kai KARATE, Kick Boxing, BJJ, Kung Fu, Aikido, wrestling, boxing, MMA and I have no proof of black belts or any trophies to any tournaments. I do have some certificates of other belts. Mostly at age 53 I just have many scars from the many years of training and many years of being in actual street fights where martial arts knowledge was very helpful.

[jungleking]

Father Leo seems to be an all rounder. He's a Priest, Chef, and also a martial arts instructor.

[marycarrietorres]

When I did Aikido in my youth (1974), our teacher's first lesson was THE PROPER WAY TO FALL. AND get up techniques

[cesarjkd]

Yes of course it does! The arduous training is akin to carrying the cross. God bless you Fr Leo!

[Jean_sans_peur]

Wing Chun 🙇🏻‍♂️ traditional Catholic here.

[scipioafricanus]

Thanks father Leo great topic for discussion 😅

[shibatsdmom]

I trained martial arts for several years and became a second degree black belt. I would just say be careful. It became an addiction that ultimately lead me away from my faith and taught me to look inward to myself for solutions instead of relying on God. I view it much like yoga and glad I found my way out! I know this isn’t everyone’s experience but it was my temptation, obviously.

[Brandonmagine]

Martial arts really help me to understand the fight in spiritual warfare. You can only win this if you completely trust in God and you can discipline yourself.

Be conscious in all your aspects of life and be careful on what you are doing because the enemy is always ready to strike anytime.

[TheStupidityOfGodIsMansWisdom]

It reminds me, when I was in the seminary, we had a session and not a pot session, but Karate (Arnis), and came-out from seminary they called me ex-con.Joking😀

[brewcity]

Yes, father, that is something one hears in the Marine Corps, that pains is just weakness leaving the body.

You, Jesse Romero, Dr. Dan Schneider I think his name is, all of you have more extensive backgrounds in martial arts 🥋 and boxing 🥊 and therefore are more qualified to speak on this topic than I am. My experience in both is very novice. Nonetheless, along the way you learn lessons or concepts.

I've only sparred in the boxing ring. But that can go light or more aggressive. Aside from being forced to manage anxiety once you feel like oxygen is no longer going into youe body, humility I think was the biggest psychological lesson I learned in the ring. Most men vastly overestimate their capabilities. In a way that can be good because it makes you less cautious but on the other hand can lead to awe shocking defeat of yours, so, it can be a bad thing too.

I think boxing and martial arts can be used for different purposes maybe not so unlike a horse 🐎. The Medieval Knight might have used a horse for a different purpose than a Texas rancher and the rancher for a different purpose than the milkman who once delivered milk to homes in Milwaukee by horse drawn cart. Similarly, martial arts or boxing, with a much less aggressive touch, can be useful for that child in the video you showed, or an adult woman who has no desire to compete nor to become Bruce Lee. The police 🚓 🚨 officer on patrol alone might need martial arts or boxing to function for a different purpose. A platoon of Marines or Army Rangers for yet a different purpose.

I recently learned from former US Marine Major Scott Ritter that the US Marine Corps and French Foreign Legion take a similar approach to development of their new people. They focus on developing a certain attitude among its new members, rather than skill set heavy. Whereas some other militaries focus on developing skill sets right away and are slower to indoctrinate into attitude. I say this for a reason.

The late Donn Draeger a veteran of 2 wars took an approach to martial arts that is appealing to me and coherent with the Marine Corps mentality.

I contrast that with say... incarcerated New York City mafia man "Tommy Karate" or say the recent online controversy over MMA star Sean Strickland bullying Navy SEALs over social media and in the ring. This kind of "bad attitude" of "trash talking" I find is far more common place in boxing and MMA than in say Traditional Martial Arts. Actually, it seems to me, the cocky arrogance, is even more frequently found in MMA than in boxing. Oh! by the way, I did a little short term training in Doce Pare Filipino escrima at a JKD school here in Milwaukee. From reading online years ago, I think Doce Pare has dual meaning. One meaning represents the 12 Retainers (Knights) of the Catholic King Charlemagne.

(1) *Hoplology: Donn Draeger & the Koryu connection to modern hoplology by Hunter 'Chip' Armstrong *

(2) *Navy Seal vs Sean Strickland | This Seal Earned my Respect!*

[legssuccess]

Hi Fr. Leo. We don't share the same political belief. But I appreciate your perspective on life. Hopefully, you can also share insights on SSPX and Latin masses

[Raccoon_MN_USA]

I myself try to reach the most highest level. That’s i am going to use my skill of speech and skill of persuasion people. I can’t do martial arts. But like Jesus He just preach and telling parables. Yet people amazed and follow. Not to mention the Pharisee and Teachers of Law. Also got owned by Jesus. I want that kind of martial art.

[GluteusMaximus]

The DEI movement failed to see how sane people would not take it 😂.