Archbishop Pierre celebrates National Boy Scout Jamboree Mass

What is Mass like with 3000 teenagers? Awesome! What happens when the homily connects with them? Electricity!

On July 23, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States served as principal celebrant at the National Boy Scout Jamboree Mass at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Beckley West Virginia.

Archbishop Pierre, just recently named by Pope Francis to be elevated to cardinal at the September Consistory, charmed the scout audience with reminiscences of his French scouting experiences intertwined in his homily. A French scout for five years before entering seminary, Archbishop Pierre’s primary message to the young people was to focus on developing the virtues of kindness and patience.

“As the Pope’s representative to the United States I am happy to express his spiritual closeness to you and his prayers,” said Archbishop Pierre. “Scouting is an endeavor that always fits well into our life as Christians. To be sure, Christianity is about much more than following a moral code. And yet, when we truly want to follow Jesus as his disciples that desire leads us to practice a good moral life. Jesus inspires us to grow in the virtues, and living a life of virtue is the heart of scouting.”

Among the 15,000 Jamboree attendees were Diocese of Metuchen scouts and leaders from Monmouth Council, Patriots Path Council and Washington Crossing Council. Said Boy Scout of America Life Scout Michael Giannouris from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, “I thought the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre was very cool and that he really enjoyed attending the National Jamboree to support Scouting. He was really in touch with the youth and had a great sense of humor which came through during Mass.”

Giannouris, from Washington Crossing’s Council Troop 65, volunteered to serve as one of 24 ushers for the crowd of thousands. His duties included manning a station with a highly visible khaki and olive scout umbrella shading the clergy and Eucharistic Ministers distributing the Eucharist to attendees. “I felt proud that I was able to serve as an usher at Mass and serve my church. It was ‘crazy’ to see how many scouts and scouters were gathered there together to celebrate Mass It was a very cool experience to be able to worship with so many of my fellow Catholic youth and friends of other denominations who attended Mass with me.”

Cardinal Designee Pierre also made reference to the scout penchant for collecting patches for achievements which was later echoed by National Chaplain Father Gerard Gentleman in his closing remarks. Father Gentleman urged scouts to learn more about the Eucharist thru working on the newly announced nine patch Eucharistic Revival set. This scout religious activity program is open to all scouts and non-scouts, male or female, youth or adult. Further information is available at: https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-activities/eucharistic-revival-special-program/.

Nora Burke Klippstein is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton, and serves with the diocesan Catholic Scouting Apostolate.