St. george's Dragon Slayers

This is a transition year. The Junior Cadet prepares himself to be a Senior Cadet. Targeting April 23rd of that year as possible, the boy should have completed the following to fully exemplify the rank of the “Saint George Dragon Slayer” – the highest rank for Junior Cadets. 

*Complete all mandatory requirements for Saint Matthew’s Angels, Saint Mark’s Lions, and Saint Luke’s Oxen, and Saint John’s Eagles along with the following when joining as a Saint George’s Dragon Slayer: 

Spiritual: 

1. Recite the Mysteries of the Rosary. 

2. Serve Holy Mass as an altar boy 3 times. 

3. Research the lives of various saints. Choose a saint for your Confirmation name. 

4. Learn the legend of Saint George by heart and tell the story to your family or patrol. Know the details of the dragon, the princess, Saint George’s chastity, and his martyrdom. 

5. What does the dragon represent? 

6. Explain in your words to your troop Captain or Patrol Lieutenant the difference between angels and demons. Why did Satan tempt Adam and Eve? Why does Satan still tempt us? CCC 329- 331, 675 and 677; Genesis Chapters 2 and 3 

7. Formally consecrate yourself to Mary. To symbolize our dedication to Our Blessed Mother, begin wearing the Miraculous Medal and / or Scapular if you do not already. CCC 460, 722 and 726; Luke 1: 26-31 

8. Build or improve upon your family’s altar inside your home. Make sure that it is beautiful and acquire flowers and candles for it. 

9. If you don’t have one already, ask your family for a holy water font in your home. Use the holy water to make the sign of the cross daily. You are becoming a soldier of Christ. 

Physical: 

1. Sign up for an organized sport – baseball, soccer, track, etc. 

2. Explain to your troop Captain or Patrol Lieutenant what is meant by “good sportsmanship”. 

3. Attend a live college-level or professional sports game with your father/male guardian, grandfather, uncle, or family friend. 

Patriotic: 

1. Learn the story of Saint Thomas More. How did his martyrdom mirror the martyrdom of Saint George? What does the Catholic man/young man do when his nation asks him to act contrary to his faith and conscience? Would you, by the grace of God, lay down your life for your faith in Christ? 

2. How can we be patriotic, even if our nation and politicians promote evil laws contrary to the will of God? 

3. Explain in your own words to a parent/guardian what is meant by “natural law”. 

Manly Skills: 

1. With help of an adult, make a wooden shrine to Christ our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or one of the saints for your home or yard. 

2. Using your hands and tools, make one thing that could help the Catholic liturgical life on your campouts. Build a confessional screen, build candlestick holder for Mass, etc. 

3. What is your favorite sport? Learn the rules of the game, its history, and its greatest heroes. 

4. Learn how to play darts, billiards, and poker. 

Final Requirement for Saint George Dragon Slayers: April 23rd Saint George Pilgrimage The 5th grade “Saint George” Cadets, with the help of parents/guardians and the troop’s adult leadership, should organize a pilgrimage or day trip together during which they visit a shrine, pilgrimage site, cathedral, or historic church of significance. As possible, it should be in the spring and preferably on April 23rd – the feast day of Saint George. The day should end with a fun organized dinner or activity that cadets can help plan. We foresee a big grill-out in the backyard or a picnic with sports at a park to end this special day. 

The pilgrimage marks the end of the cadet’s life as a “Junior Cadet” and from now on they are known as “Senior Cadets”. Note that prior to this transition, the cadet must have completed all prior mandatory Junior Cadet Requirements. 

* Parents/Guardians are encouraged to use approved Catholic catechisms for youth to help with the spiritual questions in the Junior Requirements, such as the Baltimore Catechism or Catechism of the Catholic Church.