By Lou Baldwin • Posted February 5, 2014

You just never know how kids will respond when you ask a question.

The annual Boy Scout Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Saturday, Feb. 1 included the first reading from the second book of Samuel — the admonition given to King David by the prophet, Nathan for stealing another man’s wife.

The question to the boys by Archbishop Charles Chaput was, “Can you tell me what a prophet is?”

One young Cub Scout raised his hand. “A prophet is making money off of something else,” he said.

“That is a very good American answer, but it isn’t it,” the archbishop said, explaining the difference between prophet and profit. “A prophet is someone who preaches the Word of God,” he said.

[hotblock]

In the same way that David repented after being rebuked by Nathan, “The sign of being a real man is to admit your faults and ask forgiveness of God and others,” the archbishop said.

Traditionally, the Scout Mass precedes an award ceremony, where the scouts at all levels and also leaders receive awards for combining their faith with scouting.

“Catholic scouting is continuing to change and grow,” said Tom Southard of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Horsham, who was the event chairman and a representative of Sea Scouts, one of the smaller groups allied with traditional Boy Scouts. “People are excited about their church as part of scouting. It brings such important programs to the youth. It is outdoor skills, it is leadership skills and it is life skills in a Catholic setting.”

In all, there were 231 awards granted in the fast-moving ceremony that followed the Mass. The largest group by far was Cub Scouts receiving the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem with 144 awardees.

“It was a pretty cool experience; I wasn’t really expecting the archbishop to be celebrating the Mass,” said Christopher Perri of Pack 11 at Sacred Heart Parish, Havertown. “Scouts helps me in general.”

“I’m excited and I’m proud,” said Tyler Carter, a shy Cub Scout from St. Francis de Sales Parish, Philadelphia, who struggles with autism but nevertheless has found a home in scouting.

On the older end of the scale was Eagle Scout Daniel Turner, of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bensalem, who received the Pius XII Award. For his Eagle project he raised $1,600 to obtain benches and along with his scouting friends beautify the exterior of his parish grounds.

“Scouting keeps you well-rounded and has a spiritual impact on your life,” he said.

Really exemplifying the spiritual side of scouting was Alex Pancoast, from St. Ephrem, Bensalem, who is now a college senior at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He received the Bronze Pelican Emblem for his continued service with the Bucks County Council.

“I’ve been in scouting since first grade when I was a Tiger Scout,” he said. “I received my Eagle Scout in 2010 and I’ve been helping ever since.”

He is not alone; vocations directors, take note. “We have four Eagle Scouts in my class at St. Charles,” he said.

“There are really a lot of opportunities for boys to do something in scouting with the church,” commented Father David Friel, who is Archdiocesan Chaplain for Scouting. “I’m glad they are taking advantage of those opportunities,” he said.