Knights For A Night
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17
Knights For A Night (KFAN) is a unique community outreach ministry based in St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church and supported by Council #1313 in Longmont, CO. Men, young and old (16 years and up), are invited to come together in the spirit of the warrior saints to learn the Medieval and Renaissance martial arts of the longsword under the ideals of chivalric virtues and honorable behavior. We are called to ignite and preserve the flame of God's gift of masculinity that resides in all of us.
Discipline the Body
By engaging in physical activity, we foster the bonds of fellowship as well as develop discipline in the spiritual life. We are called to be stewards and protectors of God's gift of life.
Focus the Mind
As we learn and train together, focus on controlling intensity and precision is highly emphasized. Proper striking and strong guarding from different postures are central to this martial art.
Fortify the Spirit
We are also called to wage war against sin within the battleground of our hearts. Prayer focuses our attention towards our Heavenly Father and we reflect on the chapters of "Spiritual Combat" by Fr. Lorenzo Scupoli.
What We Learn and Practice
We approach this martial art using a "study group" model. As students of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and Martial Arts of the Renaissance Era (MARE), we learn foundational skills and techniques from European Fencing Masters from the 1500s, like Johannes Liechtenauer, Joachim Meyer, Fiori de Liberi, and many others. We also incorporate modern fencing principles to practice footwork and timing. Individuals can form meaningful relationships anchored in trust and humility to mentor and learn from each other.