The 2025 National Conference of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) took place at its National Headquarters in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, on October 27-28.
As is the tradition at the end of these gatherings, Prince Bertrand of Orleans-Braganza delivered the closing remarks. Prince Bertrand is a distinguished member of the Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira Institute, a TFP sister organization in São Paulo, Brazil. The outspoken Catholic is also the present heir to the imperial throne of Brazil.
His message of confidence and devotion to Our Lady stirred the conference’s nearly 200 participants. We are pleased to present the full text of this inspiring meeting below.
Reverend Fathers, TFP directors and members, TFP friends and supporters, ladies and gentlemen:
This grace-filled TFP Supporter Conference has come to a close as we gather around a common cause: to fight the Revolution that is destroying what remains of Christian civilization.
To accomplish this vital task, we need to make sure we are all on the same page. And this conference helps us do exactly that.
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The talks and conversations at the American TFP’s National Conference helped us discern what the Revolution was trying to do and discover how the Counter-revolution can best respond. All of this is done according to the book, Revolution and Counter-Revolution by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.
However, this task is becoming more and more difficult. Confusion grows in the conservative and traditional ranks. Everyone seems to have a different solution to the Revolutionary crisis. Thus, it becomes difficult to discern where to focus. Some ask why we can’t all unite under a common banner to fight the Revolution?
For this, there is a simple answer. From the very beginning, the devil has employed his tools to corrupt souls. In the Garden of Eden, what did the serpent do?
He deceived and misled mankind. We suffer the consequences to this day.
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The devil has not abandoned his deceptive ways after the Fall of Adam. He is called the Father of Lies for a reason.
One specific tactic the devil likes to use, especially within Catholic circles, is to lead faithful souls astray, to get them off the straight and narrow path.
He proposes distractions, which can be very dangerous.
The devil cannot compete with the Church, which fills us with admiration and love with her saints, miracles, and Blessed Sacrament. Thus, he resorts to false solutions and alternatives that distract our attention.
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On the surface, these alternatives may not appear evil, and may even seem to be good! But these distractions tear countless souls away from Our Lady’s cause.
One example is the so-called Benedict Option. This idea claims that today’s crisis is so severe that the only way out is for Catholics to retreat to small enclaves, abandon the culture war, and wait out the crisis in isolation.
This may sound innocent, but upon further reflection, we must ask ourselves: “What could be worse for God’s cause than a plan that encourages those in the ranks of the Church Militant to retreat and go into hiding?”
This supposed solution only succeeds in placing society into the devil’s hands!
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As members of the Church Militant, we have a duty to oppose the world, the flesh, and the devil. But the Benedict Option tells us it is better to retreat from the fight.
Another false alternative is the rise of those conservatives who promote strong measures against liberalism yet do not seek moral solutions. They might oppose specific parts of the woke agenda, but not oppose abortion, same-sex “marriage” and other moral aberrations. It is what some authors call a godless crusade. It is an effort that uses a lot of Christian rhetoric and imagery but does not profess belief in God and the practice of virtue.
Other alternatives follow libertarian and nationalistic models that do not consider God or His Church. Others want to imitate authoritarian regimes like that of Putin and others. Some might even suggest we leave the Catholic Church because of the crisis.
The devil’s list of distractions could go on and on. All of these are dangerous errors that distract us from the real problem, and for that matter, the real solution. They are all false alternatives.
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All of them are trying to distract us from something. What is this something that so threatens the Revolution? What must we do to destroy the Revolution and bring about the Reign of Mary?
The answer is found in the theme of this year’s conference—our focus is on the triumph of Our Lady.
The devil does not want our eyes to be fixed upon Our Lady. Satan has always hated the Blessed Mother.
Some Church scholars believe that Satan decided to revolt when it was revealed to him that Our Lady, a mere human, would become the Mother of God and Queen of all Creation, and therefore be superior to the angels.
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His pride was hurt to such a degree that he revolted against this divine plan and became God’s eternal enemy.
Thus, Our Lady is She, who will crush the serpent’s head, and will guide us amidst all this confusion and help us go where we need to go.
One of history’s greatest Marian devotees was Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. This great saint is believed to have written one of the most widely recited prayers in the Church: the Memorare.
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Bearing in mind the theme of this year’s conference, I believe it is appropriate to read some words of Saint Bernard, which reinforce the need to keep our eyes on Our Lady.
He says, “Turn not away thine eyes from the splendor of this guiding star, unless thou wish to be submerged by the storm!”
“If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call on Mary.”
“When battered by pride, or ambition, or hatred, or jealousy, look at the star, call upon Mary.”
With this in mind, I ask you:
Please, never, never take your eyes off Our Lady. We cannot afford to distract ourselves with the devil’s false alternatives.
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This was especially the teaching of Dr. Plinio. He constantly called upon us to have more devotion to Our Lady. He made Our Lady’s cause, his cause. He called upon us to remain focused and unite together under the banner of Our Lady.
Through her, not through some Benedict Option, her reign on Earth will come.
In fact, we should be like Saint Benedict. If there is anyone who did not follow the Benedict Option, it was Saint Benedict.
He was not afraid to engage the culture and understood well the struggle between good and evil.
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He could be seen overthrowing the idols, burning the pagans’ sacred forests, and preaching to those near his monastery.
Because of his activism, he was hated in his days, something very familiar to Dr. Plinio and us! He faced immense persecution, like that of an envious priest who tried to poison his bread and wine.
However, after blessing his food, a raven came and took away the bread, and his cup shattered instantly. From this, we can see that Our Lady will watch over us if we take up her cause.
Saint Benedict’s example shows us that the devil hates those who oppose him in the public square, not those who hide away and let him seduce the world.
To help us remember the true spirit of Saint Benedict, this year’s conference memento is a beautiful Saint Benedict’s medal—which represents a Counter-Revolutionary option, not a Benedict Option.
This sacramental is known as a most effective means to fight the devil since it has exorcist qualities.
We are taking part in a battle between angels and demons. Therefore, this medal will help us persevere in the fight against Satan, his pomps, and his works.
When the devil tries to distract us with his false alternatives, let us recall the initials inscribed on the back of Saint Benedict’s medal, which stand for the following words:
“Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!”
I ask you to please continue fighting against the Revolution as Dr. Plinio taught us, and keep your eyes focused on Our Lady. If we do this, then the devil has no chance.
First published on TFP.org.