The Catholic Society of Pope Leo XIII (USA)​​

Welcome to the home page of one of the most elite Catholic Sea Cadet and Chaplain youth groups in California known as the Catholic Sea Cadets of America and Chapel.

We are part of a Sea Cadet Battalion and ROTC program that was extended by the establishment from our Catholic Sea Cadets of America family around 1943 in New Your by a Catholic Monsignor and there Archdiocese in St Francis de Chantal Church.

This home page is dedicated to our members; past, present and future, and to everyone who has an active interest in cadetting.

In this page, we will take you on a step-by-step tour of info into the world of cadetting.

We will show you who we are and what we do.

We will explain to you the various programs that make up our Corps, it's activities, and it's history. From start to finish, we believe you will enjoy what you see and read, and won't be disappointed.

The Catholic Sea Cadets of America (CSCA) is a private not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization open to all boys and girls ten (10) years of age and older and is associated with and within the Society of Pope Leo XIII for the United States.

Our youth program was established in 2005 in the Holy Cross Academy & Chapel ( K-12) located on the South Bay section of California.

Extended from the established of the Catholic Sea Cadets of America in 1943, our Corps was strictly a youth Sea Cadet Corps program.

In 2010, our Corps expanded the scope of the programs to include Chaplaincy training and Religious Program Specialists training.

The Corps is patterned after the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps & Army ROTC and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).

The main program of our Corps is comprised of leadership, education, training, chaplaincy, and the basic concepts of military bearing and discipline.

We try to instill in our members love of God, home and country; pride in themselves and the organization, spirit, cooperation and teamwork.

The CSCA has been in existence since 1943, and since 2005 with us and throughout the years it has helped thousands of young people to grow and mature into responsible adults.

Boys and girls are accepted into the Corps at ten (10) years of age and older, and advance in rate according to their skills and achievements.

As a member successfully passes his or her assigned course, they will advance in rank and experience.

As our members gain experience in military procedures and drill proficiency, and chaplaincy training, various opportunities will open up to them.

Eventually, one day they will be in a command position, passing on the knowledge that they gained as a cadet with us to the cadets in their charge.

We also offer 2 excellent programs for young adults ages 15 and above.

They are the Excelled Enlisted Training Program and a Midshipman Program through our Holy Cross Academy ROTC.

Steps to Become a Military Chaplain;

Serving as a military chaplain is a little bit different than working as a chaplain in other areas. Generally, chaplain is the term used for those who provide religious services and counsel in areas such as hospitals, prisons, police stations, and universities. However, while that is what a military chaplain does on a regular basis, they also have a few extra duties. These chaplains are more than just ordained ministers, too—they’re formal commissioned military staff officers in the United States Chaplain Corps.

To become a military chaplain, you must meet all of the requirements to be ordained and be recognized as a chaplain. This includes earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree, completing all certification requirements, and meeting all the requirements of the U.S. military.

Listed below is a summary of the steps required to become a military chaplain:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a closely related field such as religion, divinity, counseling, psychology or theology./li>
• Complete a master’s degree in religion or theological studies.
• Must be a U.S. citizen if applying for active duty or the National Guard.
• Become ordained- You must have ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group.
• Become certified- Certification entails that you are qualified intellectually, morally, emotionally and spiritually to complete your duties.
• Apply and be accepted to the U.S. Chaplain Corps.
• Meet all requirements necessary to join the corps, including specific fitness, health, age, and fitness requirements.
• Must have two years of full-time professional experience, which has been verified by your endorsing agency.

Religious Requirements;

To become a chaplain in the military, you must first become an ordained minister within your faith group. Ordination requirements vary from church to church, but the basic tenents involve demonstrating that you have the intellectual, moral, spiritual and emotional qualifications to serve. A formal training program is almost always part of the ordination process- for some, this is a bachelor’s degree; other churches do not require a degree but have their own educational courses. After meeting the education and training requirements of your faith group, most candidates will enter into a review process, sometimes called an "endorsement" or "certification" process, whereby members of the clergy validate that you meet all minimum requirements.

Education Requirements for Military Chaplains;

Becoming a military chaplain involves meeting strict educational requirements. All candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree in religion or a closely related field, and a graduate degree in religion or theology. Religious studies involve an examination of the scripture, learning about other religions and belief systems, and examining the history of the church. You may also take courses in communication, counseling, and leadership, especially if your program offers a focus on Ministry.

Important:

As a military chaplain, you will encounter military personnel, families and civilians who are members of other denominations or faith groups, so you must be sensitive to religious pluralism and be able to provide for the free exercise of religion. 

If you plan on becoming a military chaplain, you may want to augment your undergraduate degree with us while offering courses in pastoral psychology, and especially grief counseling and traumatic therapy.

You may also want to take history courses or a course that examines the military.

These courses aren’t required, of course, but they can be helpful.

Because the military does require chaplains to meet certain physical and health conditions, you may want to take more than the required physical education courses, or sign up for one of the university’s sports teams in order to begin conditioning your body to meet these requirements.

Earning a Degree;

Popular Programs:

Associates Degree Programs

• AA - Religion

Bachelor's Degree Programs

• BS - Religion Evangelism
• BS - Religion: Biblical & Theological Studies
• BS - Religion: Christian Ministries

Saint Leo

• BA - Religion

Master's Degree Programs

• MA - Religion
• MA - Religion: Biblical Studies
• MA - Religion: Chaplaincy
• MA - Religion: Christian Apologetics
• MA - Religion: Church History
• MA - Ministry

To become a certified chaplain, and in some cases, to become an ordained minister, you will need to hold a master’s degree.

Generally, this is a Master’s of Divinity or Theology, but some universities offer other graduate degrees in Religion. These programs offer more advanced studies in religion, including in-depth studies of the Bible and church history. Again, some of these programs, especially those that are aimed at preparing students for church leadership, will go into psychology, communication and counseling.

Officer Corps Membership;

In order to join the Cadet and ROTC Officer Corps applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Be at least 21 years old (or become an Holy Cross Midshipman if you are the ages of 18)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Be free of felony convictions
• Ready to become an ordained minister

Adult applicants must be in good health commensurate with their age group and be free from any ailment or condition that would prevent them from satisfactorily performing their primary duty of supervising youth. Adults not physically qualified to perform all duties may still participate with a waiver from NHQ considering the parameters of their expected contribution to the ROTC program.

Officers may either be civilians or military (active, reserve or retired) who enjoy working with youth and are interested in ensuring that their training experience is of the highest caliber. Instructors are also recruited from reserve military commands and leaders within the community.

We do not require a specific level of education or professional qualification, but applicants with nautical/military experience are highly desired. Parents also make outstanding volunteers and we invite them to explore the opportunity.

Officers are authorized to wear Navy officer uniforms (modified with the ROTC insignia, patch, and Cross or RS logo).

All officers are appointed by ROTC National Headquarters.

• Ongoing formation training will include pastoral care, peer coaching and continuing education through small groups and individual coaching.
  
  
• All Chaplains undergoing formation within our Programs will additionally undergo professional training in the Emergency Care Training Academy (ECTA).

The United States Department of Education does NOT accredit any College, University, Seminary or any Education Program. Here is a quote from the U.S. Department of Education's Web Page: http://www.ed.gov/about

Under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

Nothing specific is said about education in the Constitution; therefore it falls outside federal authority.

In creating the Department of Education, Congress made clear its intention that the secretary of education and other Department officials be prohibited from exercising "any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system."

The establishment of schools and colleges, the development of curricula, the setting of requirements for enrollment and graduation -- these are responsibilities handled by the various states and communities, as well as by public and private organizations of all kinds, not by the U.S. Department of Education."

Universal Life Church, Inc. - Plaintiff

-vs-

United States of America - Defendant

Civil No. S-1964

MAR 1, 1974 

" The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment.  Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical revival or religious crusade.

Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem.

Were the Court to do so, it would impinge upon the guarantees of the First Amendment..."  

In 2010, our Cadets sent a letter to the Commander and Chief, President Barack Obama, about petitioning, starting, and establishing the FIRST Chaplaincy and RP Cadet Program within the United States in 2010.

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, responded to the Cadets letter and story and congratulated them on there achievement and success. 

Command Chaplain and Director to the

Holy Cross Academy & CSCA 

Catholic Sea Corps Commander

Star Of The Sea - Sea Cadet Corps Inc.

Catholic Sea Cadets of America, New York

CMDR Alfonso was born in Long Beach, Ca. to Ysauro and Elisa Rodriguez on January 02, 1931.

CMDR Alfonso entered into the Military at the age of 18.

He proudly served approximately 20 plus years in the U.S. Navy and was a proud Veteran.

He received the following Awards :

• National Defense Service Medal and 1 Bronze Star,
• Vietnam Service Medal and 2Bronze Stars,
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device,
• Navy Unit Commendation and 1 Bronze Star,
• Naval Achievement and 1 Star,
• Good Conduct and 2 Stars.

CMDR Alfonso retired at approximately the age of 40 as a Lt. Commander in the Navy after suffering a stroke.

CMDR Alfonso was not to be kept down though and he taught himself to walk and talk again.

He even went back to school to further his education and even got his driver's license again LCDR Alfonso was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fleet Reserve Association in Chula Vista, California.

CMDR Alfonso was also a devote board member and church member to the Roman Catholic Church at Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

In 2010, CMDR Alfonso agreed to assist his son Msgr. Ricardo Rodriguez after long conversations and become the Brigade Commander to the Holy Cross Academy & CSCA to help youths train and become Chaplains and RP Cadets for the US Military , and to assist those in JROTC / ROTC programs including his grandson Joey Wall and his cadet friends from North High School in Torrance California after becoming victims of a Hazing.

EIN: 84-3431066