What is Duty to God?

The Cub Scout program at the Basilica of Saint Mary is part of the Parish’s Youth Apostolate. As a Catholic Scouting program, we use the programs of the Boy Scouts of America in conjunction with the Parish’s ministry to youth. The program functions the same as any other BSA program with added emphasis on developing a youth’s character around Gospel values. Den Leaders are encouraged to incorporate religious activities (see the link to NCCS Religious Activities below) and prayer into each meeting. Pack meetings set a faith-centered tone by starting each meeting in prayer. Religious Emblem programs are offered yearly for our Catholic Scouts and are open to Scouts of other faiths. In addition to our Cub Scout Program, we encourage active participation by our Scouts in the full life of our Parish.

Pack 301 Prayer

​Loving Father, I stand before you in the midst of life.
My future sometimes seems distant and unknown.
Give me, O Lord, the vision to see the path you set before me.
Grant me the courage to follow Your way, that through the gifts and talents
You have given me, I may bring Your life and Your love to others.
 ask this through the intercession of St. George,
the patron of Scouting and through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Scout Law

The Scout Law is a guiding light to millions of boys and young adults throughout the world today, but the principles of the law have been brought to us from ancient days.
  • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
A Scout is trustworthy. 
  • He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. (Luke 16:10)
A Scout is loyal. 
  • You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. … (Leviticus 19:18)
  • For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to thy needy and to the poor, in the land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)
A Scout is helpful. 
  • Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10)
  • Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133)
A Scout is friendly. 
  • Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
A Scout is courteous. 
  • A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)
A Scout is kind. 
  • Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3)
A Scout is obedient. 
  • A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:13-15)
A Scout is cheerful. 
  • Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer or ruler, she prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
A Scout is thrifty. 
  • Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
 A Scout is brave. 
  • Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5)
 A Scout is clean.
  • And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
A Scout is reverent, he is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.

The Scout Oath

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalm 25:10) 
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country. 
  • Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord the people whom he has chosen as his heritance. (Psalm 33:12)
  • My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. (Proverbs 3:1-2)
On my honor I will do my best to obey the Scout Law—and the Law is this: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. 
  • And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
  • Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
On my honor I will do my best to help other people at other times. 
  • Remember also the Golden Text: And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. (Luke 6:31)
  • Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are. (I Corinthians 3:16-17)
On my honor, I will do my best to keep myself mentally awake. 
  • Wisdom is the principal thing: Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom; get insight. (Proverbs 4:5)
  • How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
On my honor, I will do my best to keep myself morally straight. 
  • Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)