Re: Ad Altere Dei ceremony

Dear John;

I'm sorry to hear that the ritual you have seen used was so poorly done.
Any Catholic ritual always and without exception, when done properly, has
room for explanation of the award given. I speak as a knowledgeable Roman
Catholic, an Ad Altare Dei counselor and Scouter. In the Catholic Mass,
there are two basic places wherein the medal could be awarded. The first is
after the homily. The priest should have talked about the AAD emblem in his
homily as he wove the meaning of the Scripture and the needs of the people
present together into an understanding of God's challenge. By the time we
get to the pinning, the congregation should know at least that this boy has
been involved in special education and service in the Christian tradition.

The second place is after communion. This is a sad placing because it's for
less important, tangential, minor things. I'd be offended if my pastor put
the ceremony there for the boys. Nonetheless, if he does that then he would
introduce, or have the Counselor introduce the meaning of the medal.

If you were to see how some awardings and Sacraments are properly done,
you'd see that it begins with some form, whether brief or long, of statement
of meaning.

YIS

George Hamilton
gham@telplus.net

A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk I have a work station...

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