Of Knights and Damsels

Two must reads for both the guys and the ladies: 

Dignitas Magazine:

From their first issue: "The purpose of Dignitas Magazine is to seek the truth about womanhood as God intended it to be, to encourage Catholic women to authentically live this truth, and to promote it in the world. We look to Sacred Scriptures and the teachings of the Church for our instruction. We strive for authentic holiness by seeking concrete ways to practice virtue. We eagerly look for relevant, winsome ways to promote the goodness of God’s image of womanhood in a world so hungry for the truth. Nourished by prayer and the sacraments and inspired by the example of the saints we joyfully embrace this task – and invite you to join with us!"

I read through their first issue (btw, it is a free online magazine) available here and it's fabulous.  It's a great mix of inspiring articles about the faith, tips on fashionable and modest clothing and other fun stuff for spring, and, of course, relevant affirmation on the dignity of women.  Also, it is quite well done aesthetically - as good, if not better, frankly, than top dollar magazines.  It's really, really good - so why are you still reading this? Go check out Dignitas now!!!

Also another amazing find (courtesy of Dignitas, btw) is The Man Who Would Be Knight. 

Ryan Kraeger, you're my hero! This dude is awesome - first of all Ryan is valiantly protecting us as a soldier in the US Army - and on top of that he is protecting our dignity as women by writing things like this:

"My sisters, you are worth more....We men lose something of our own manhood when we do not sacrifcice for you, when we take for granted the greatness of such a gift.  Unless we strive to be worthy of it, we are  not true men.   You do us a favor by guarding your hearts so that they must be pursued and won....Remember that your heart is to be so wrapped up in God that a man must ask God's permission to court you...."  I wish I could share everything he wrote here but then I'd probably end up posting the whole book (and you can read a longer excerpt at Dignitas) - and yes, this is from a book Ryan wrote called "My Dearest Sisters: Thoughts About Modesty From Your Brother".  He wrote it for his sister and cousins, but obviously it is having a much farther reach.  He has also written a book for men called "What Every Man Needs: A Young Soldier's Thoughts on Christian Manhood".  Both of these can be purchased at his website.