To be honest, when my parents recently and strongly “suggested”/insisted that I take some concentrated private lessons with Mr. Curl before moving to New York City, I was apprehensive. Besides being very short of time, I thought I would likely humiliate myself with ineptitude. Furthermore I wasn’t eager to think about, must less discuss the issues surrounding safety (particularly, female safety) with a family friend. I need not have worried. Mr. Curl, a father of four, two of whom are, like myself, young adult women, is passionate about the protection of his family, and teaching as many as possible how to have the best chance of protection of self and others.

Be who you are called to be, and you will set the world on fire” 

This is, of course, the famous quote of St. Catherine of Sienna. These are words that every Christian parent longs for their children to wholeheartedly implement in their lives. But sometimes, in our desire for the safety of those we love, we “hamstring” them, by curtailing the opportunities to effect change, because we see the all-to-real dangers. 

Changing the world isn’t supposed to be safe - this is a battleground after all. However, after working with Lorne Curl, I know it doesn’t have to be (and shouldn’t be) unnecessarily dangerous either. 

Approaching instruction in personal security and self-defense within the perfect framework of the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding the dignity of every human being and our call to be soldiers for Christ, Mr. Curl gives practical, effective and yes, fun instruction. (I’m not kidding, it is seriously fun to work on personal safety with Mr. Curl).

To be honest, when my parents recently and strongly “suggested”/insisted that I take some concentrated private lessons with Mr. Curl before moving to New York City, I was apprehensive. Besides being very short of time, I thought I would likely humiliate myself with ineptitude. Furthermore I wasn’t eager to think about, must less discuss the issues surrounding safety (particularly, female safety) with a family friend. I need not have worried. Mr. Curl, a father of four, two of whom are, like myself, young adult women, is passionate about the protection of his family, and teaching as many as possible how to have the best chance of protection of self and others. 

Not only did I feel entirely comfortable learning with Mr. Curl and discussing those issues but I really did have fun. If you have the opportunity to train with Mr. Curl, jump at it. I hope that someday Mr. Curl will be able to teach his courses throughout the country so many more men and women will have the practical tools to promote the safety and dignity of themselves and those around them, and thus not have to succumb to fear, which frees us to better be able to “set the world on fire”.

--Melissa Maricich