Saint George Law
The Saint George Law was written by Saint Peter, our first Pope:
- “Honor all men.
- Love the brotherhood.
- Fear God.
- Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)
Saint George Motto: Parati Semper
The motto of the Troops of Saint George is “Parati Semper” which also comes from Saint Peter, our first Pope:
But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being prepared always (parati semper) to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. (1 Peter 3:15)
Dominum autem Christum sanctificate in cordibus vestris parati semper ad satisfactionem omni poscenti vos rationem de ea quae in vobis est spe (1 Peter 3:15, Latin Vulgate)
Saint George Oath
The Saint George Oath was written by the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:12), and defines the five traits of the man who seeks to be a disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ by patterning his life after Saint George of Lydda.
“Set an example:
- in speech (in verbo)
- and conduct (in conversatione)
- in love (in caritate)
- in faith (in fide)
- in purity (in castitate).”
(1 Timothy 4:12)
Saint George Trinitarian Salute
The Troops of Saint George salute their officers, the flag, banners of the saints and Our Lady, and crucifixes with the “Trinitarian Salute” – three fingers of the right hand (index, middle, ring) out, and with the pinky and thumb joined signifying that the divine nature of Christ is joined to His human nature: fully God and fully man as taught at the Catholic Council of Chalcedon in AD 431.
Prayer Customs: ad orientem
The cadets usually carry a compass with them. Even when they do not, they should be able to find East. Like the early Christians, the Troops of Saint George pray facing the East in response to Gospel according to Saint Matthew 24:27:
“For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appears even into the west: so shall the coming of the Son of man be.”
The Church believed that Christ’s Second Coming would be revealed “from the east to the west.” The rising sun was an image of the Resurrected Christ.
So at times of prayer (for example, at the Angelus at noon), the Captain or one of the boys should shout “ad orientem” and the men and boys should turn to face East, unless there is already a suitable image or crucifix erected nearby.
The Role of Proverbs for the Troops of Saint George
Each man or young man among the Troops of Saint George must study the biblical book of Proverbs, since it is the Book of the Bible that instructs men how to be come wise and virtuous. There the man will learn why he should resist sexual impurity, alcoholism, quarreling, and financial debt – the chief ways by which men lapse. He will also learn from the Proverbs the riches of knowing God and the blessing of a godly wife and family.
I envision one day a small “Saint George Bible” (like a Gideon’s pocket Bible) that contains the Psalms, Proverbs, and New Testament so that men and boys can have it with them during their outdoor adventures. I have often enjoyed reading the Psalms on top of a mountain or next the trickling of a stream. The Word of God comes alive in these moments.
Godspeed,
Dr. Taylor Marshall
