| Eligibility |
- Before work on the
workbook begins, the approval form must
be signed by the applicant, parent,
counselor, Unit leader, and pastor.
- A Boy Scout of
Catholic faith.
- The content is
designed for 13 and 14 year olds.
- Older Scouts may also
work on the program.
- Active member of the
Troop for six months.
- Completed sixth grade
before starting the program.
|
| Purpose |
- The purpose of the Ad
Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program
is to help Catholic Scouts of the Roman
Rite develop a fully Christian way of
life in the faith community. The program
is organized in chapters based on the
seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments
are a primary means toward spiritual
growth.
|
| Requirements |
- The use of a Catholic
Bible is required.
- The Scout should be
advancing in Scouting (not mandatory).
- Regular participation
in Sunday worship.
- Involved in formal
religious education program.
- Involved in formal
religious education program.
- Complete the
requirements in the Ad Altare Dei Scout
Manual.
- Successfully complete
an Ad Altare Dei Board of Review.
|
| Program Completion |
- After all sections
have been completed, the counselor will
contact the (arch)Diocesan Chaplain or
the (arch)Diocesan Catholic Committee on
Scouting to find out the schedule for
the AAD Board of Review.
- The Scout will sit
before the Board of Review to determine:
- Does he have a
better understanding of his
Christian commitment?
- Has he learned to
understand, support, and apply
Christian principles to the problems
of our day?
- Has he thought
about his vocation in life: a
vocation to the priesthood,
religious life, marriage, or single
life?
- How has his
relationship with his Church grown?
- What is his
attitude toward Scouting and the
ideals of the program?
- How does his
relationship between Scouting and
the Church compare?
- As a result of
the program, has the Scout grown in
his understanding and living out of
his faith? (faith growth)
|
| Presentation
|
- The religious emblem
will be presented to the Scout at the
annual Youth Recognition Ceremony.
- The religious knot
should be presented at a Troop Court of
Honor.
|
| Counselor's Attributes |
- INTERESTED in youth
and ready to be generous with time in
helping others.
- Able to UNDERSTAND
the Scout's development process and
therefore able to ACCEPT them at their
level
- OPEN enough to listen
to youth to permit them to initiate,
decide, try, and even fail, of their own
accord. One who is not judgmental, but
respectful of their feelings and views.
- FLEXIBLE AND CREATIVE
enough to be open to changes, who can
adapt and understand rapid and
continuous modification of youth ideas,
modes, and cultures.
- LIKABLE and
acceptable by the youth. Not a stick in
the mud!
- Has a sense of HUMOR,
enjoys life, and can laugh at themselves
and with others, especially youth.
- KNOWLEDGEABLE,
understands, and agrees with all of the
teachings of the Catholic Church.
- COMMUNICATE by
relating the teachings of the Catholic
Church to youth. Should be able to both
speak and listen. Should also have the
ability to get others to talk.
- SPIRITUALLY firm in
their faith life and had the ability to
share their faith openly and easily with
youth. Also be able to demonstrate,
through their actions, the importance of
their faith life to youth.
- SENSITIVE to the
youth's family situation and his
personal life, particularly in regards
to the teachings of the Church.
- OBSERVANT to
interpret the signals youth project
about their feelings on their faith and
other issues.
|
| Counselor's Role |
- The Counselor needs
to be approved in accord with local (Arch)diocesan
guidelines and follow all Church and/or
BSA youth protection guidelines.
- All religious Emblem
Counselors and Facilitators must have
current BSA Youth Protection Training,
unless the local diocese (Eparchy)
requires other specific youth protection
training or certification.
- Use the AAD Counselor
Guide.
- Counsel the
participants when required, and in
general facilitate (keep moving and on
track) the general discussion.
- Hold weekly meetings
lasting 60-90 minutes.
- Guide the Scout
through the religious emblems program
by:
- Helping the
Scouts experience Christ's deep love
for them as individuals.
- Helping the Scout
go beyond the surface answers of
childhood.
- Showing them that
your caring for them is not
dependent on their behavior, but
rather because you accept them as
Christ accepts each of us.
- Encourage greater
participation of Catholic Scouts in
the religious programs of the
Church.
- Promote the
Spiritual component of Scouting
within the parish and unit. (A Scout
is Reverent).
- Help create an
atmosphere with the unit conductive
to the development of religious
vocations.
- Provide guidance
and assistance to non-Catholic boys
in the unit and in the neighboring
units, urging them to participate in
the religious emblem program of
their own church or synagogue.
|
| Scout's Roles and Responsibilities |
- Attend weekly
meetings. If a Scout misses more than 2
meetings, it should be determined if the
Scout should continue with the program.
- Work through the Ad
Altare Dei Scout Manual with your
counselor using a Bible where
appropriate.
- Be prepared to share
experiences at the Board of Review.
- Attend a retreat or
Day of Recollection while working on the
AAD program.
|
| Parent's Role |
- Support the Religious
Emblems Counselor in his/her role.
- Support your son as
he shares lessons with the family.
|
| Suggested Time Requirements |
- The program is
designed to be completed in 6-8 months.
|
| Steps |
- Section 1:
Introduction
- Chapter 1:
Sacraments and Sacramental in Our
Daily Life
- Section 2: The
Sacraments of Initiation
- Chapter 2:
Baptism
- Chapter 3:
Confirmation
- Chapter 4:
Eucharist
- Section 3: Sacraments
of Healing
- Chapter 5:
Reconciliation
- Chapter 6:
Anointing of the Sick
- Section 4: Sacraments
of Service (Commitment)
- Chapter 7: Holy
Orders
- Chapter 8:
Marriage
|
