News - Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George

St. George Trek 2009

Cimarron, NM – On the morning of August 2, 2009 five Constantinian Knights and two Squires arrived in Albuquerque, NM to depart on their journey to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. Since 1994 the National Catholic Committee on Scouting has sponsored a biennial Vocational Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. The Order has, throughout the years, supported this endeavor. This past year we enjoyed the company of priests and seminarians who had previously made the trek as Scouts. At Philmont, the Knights and Squires warmly welcomed the trekkers off the mounted and later had Mass together at St. George Chapel (rededicated to St. George in 2008). We broke bread together on the August 4 back in Albuquerque, where the Trekkers related their stories of awe and wonder at the introspective and physical journey on the mountains. The following day with pride in a great trip we left back to our individual homes.

This year the St. George Trek has created 65 Trekkers committed to bring home what they have taken down from the mountain and spread the word to their respective diocese and become peer leaders and role models. They have learned a great deal of what vocation means and more importantly, they have determined to have a fruitful study of what their vocation is in life. The Constantinian Order’s support of the St. George Trek is truly a demonstration to the Defense of the Faith in the 21st Century.

Included below is a Testimony from one of our squires, Dominic Bonaduce.

I have seen many amazing things, but none of which had moved me as much as the dedication, spirituality, and all around quality character of the participants of the 2009 St. George Trek. Beginning in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 65 scouts from across the nation embarked on a two-week hike through the Rocky Mountains beginning on the Philmont scout ranch in Cimmaron New Mexico. That was impressive enough. The mission of this trip was not only to test their skills as scouts, but also to examine their vocation in life. The Trek had its purposes for everyone on it. Accompanied by 14 Priests and Seminarians, the Trek also served as a time of reflection for those who were considering religious vocation. After the two week hike, the scouts, bishops, priests, and seminarians descended from the mountain where they started. The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George was there to meet them, and only being able to imagine what it was like to be surrounded by 65 of your peers that you did not know, I was extremely awe-struck by the sense of community and camaraderie that I saw. Our plans were to go to dinner with the leaders and advisors of the Trek, followed by Mass with all the Trekers at Philmont, concluding with a Barbeque and Mass at the Madonna center retreat house in Albuquerque the next day.
I was very fortunate to be able to meet some of these brave souls that faced the mountain for two weeks and hear some of their stories. To my surprise, I met two scouts from my home state of California, as well as one from my Archdiocese, Santiago Perez from Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Los Angeles and Marijan Rudela from St. Louise de Marrilac parish in Covina. What delighted me at first about these two scouts is that I was not the one to initiate conversation with them. They had found out that I too was from California and without skipping a beat, came to find and speak to me. They were very interested in the Order and the squire program and I was happy to explain, however, I was even happier to hear their stories, none of which ceased to amaze me. We had heard about generally what happened on the Trek from the Leaders and Priests but I was not prepared for the story Marijan was about to tell me.
Driving through New Mexico when we left the airport on August 3rd we hit rain multiple times. You could see these small storms on the move with their dark ominous clouds and their lightning, but it never occurred to me that the scouts on the Trek were experiencing the same thing I was and probably worse. Marijan told me that at one point on the Trek they had been hiking all day and were exhausted. They had just settled for the evening when out of nowhere it started pouring rain, soaking everything. At this point the leaders shouted, “everyone up” and all the scouts jumped to their feet without hesitating and kept on marching. Marijan explained to me that this was so to avoid hypothermia, which was dangerously likely in conditions like that. Sure enough, they kept marching. Everyone, through the collaboration and the help provided by their newly formed sense of community and friendship made it through the rain without getting sick.
This is just one of many amazing stories I heard throughout my trip. My only regret is not being able to go on the Trek with them. These scouts were as much an inspiration to me as the Order was to them. At the final mass we presented them with their St. George medals and explained to them what we do for The Boy Scouts of America. They were all impressed and very thankful, just as much as I was to them for being such inspirations to my mission and me.
I am on my own daily Trek through life. Knowing that these scouts, all who were younger than me, were able to hike up and down the Rocky Mountains in two weeks, standing on top of mountains and formations that I was only able to look at in awe from way down below, was a lesson in itself for me.

Chicago Membership Receptions

The Order of St. George will sponsor a cocktail party for members and (especially) potential new members, to be held Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at Trattoria Gianni, 1711 N. Halsted Street in Chicago. This event will last 1 1/2 hours, from 5:30--7:00 p.m. For those of you not familiar with the restaurant, it is approximately one block north of the North Avenue & Halsted Street intersection, and approximately two blocks northeast of the North & Clyburn subway stop. Valet parking is available for $10.00. Cost of the event will be $50.00/person. Checks should be made payable to the "S.M.C. Order of St. George."

The second cocktail party will be held in early January (tentatively January 9th or 10th--firm details to follow at a later date). Members are encouraged to attend at least one of these events, and strongly encouraged to ensure that any and all candidates being put forward for Investiture also attend at least one of the parties. The activities of the Order will be detailed for those candidates who participate; and they will certainly have a better understanding of our membership.

If you have any questions, please contact Frank Williams, Vice Chancellor for Postulants.

2008 Investiture – September 12 -14, 2008

Our next Investiture is scheduled for Saturday September 13, 2008 in Chicago. Keith and Mary Armato are the Chairs for this event. The Investiture Mass will be held at the beautiful Church of St. John Cantius. HE Francis Cardinal George is scheduled to preside and Delegate Sullivan reports that the investiture is on the schedule for HRH Prince Carlos. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Peninsula Chicago. Look for more information soon.

2008 St. George Trek Rescheduled

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has rescheduled the 2008 St. George Trek to 2009. Historically, the St. George Trek falls on even years. The committee felt that the World Youth Day in 2008 and the US Jamboree in 2010 would cause a conflict so they have adjusted the schedule. You can read more about the Trek at the web site: http://www.nccs-bsa.org/activities/trek.php

Candidates for 2008

To date we have approximately 20 candidates for the class of 2008. We will send a Postulant Petition electronically to any member who would like to nominate a candidate. We respectfully ask that each member consider nominating at least one knight or dame for this class. Please keep in mind candidates for the Royal Order Francis the First as you consider men and women of your community that are noble of heart and champions in their own right.

Special and Annual Appeals

You may have noticed that we have not asked for any donations so far this year. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten, we simply made a decision to conduct our appeals on a different schedule. The Special Appeal is sent in the fall and the Annual Appeal is sent after the first of the year. As a reminder, the Special Appeal is where we raise money for our Charitable Good Works, 100% of the monies raised from this appeal go to charity. We send a portion of the Annual Appeal to the Grand Chancellery in Rome to further the good works of the order in Italy, the balance is used to cover the operating expense of the order. Most years we are also able to donate a significant portion of the Annual Appeal to Charity.

Heraldry

Knights and dames of both Orders are entitled to have a Grant of Arms. We are hoping to work with several members who are active in the American College of Heraldry. www.americancollegeofheraldry.org As a knight or dame, you are entitled to have your own arms prepared and recorded.

Uniforms

Our Confrere Comm. Tim Pickles has taken the extraordinary step to contract with tailors to make uniforms of the Order available. We will be sending out brochures along with our next mailing. In addition to the uniform, Tim has also arranged to have swords made for both orders. If you have an interest in either the uniform or sword, please contact Tim directly at britcomhmp@aol.com.