Religious Awards
Religious Awards
Duty to God
All Scouts share "duty to God" in common as part of their Scouting experience. The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting serves to help connect Scouts with the spiritual programs that will help him or her grow in their faith. The religious emblems for members of Boy Scouts of America and the religious recognitions for Girl Scouts USA and other kindred organizations are some of the many options Scouts have for tending to their duty to God.
BSA Emblems
Religious Emblems
“No boy can grow into the best kind of citizenship without recognizing his obligation to God” (Lord Baden-Powell, quoted in the 2011 Handbook for Scouts). The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has developed over the years programs that help youth see their duties to God and community sharing many features with the obligations of their membership in Scouting. The first religious emblem recognized by the Boy Scouts of America was the Ad Altare Dei emblem developed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Originally a recognition earned by altar boys who were also Boy Scouts, it brought the idea of service at the altar to service in all areas of one’s life. There are now emblems developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting for all phases of a Scout’s career.
Religious emblems are awarded through the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and each emblem presents an opportunity for the parish clergy to support and confirm the growth in Catholic virtue and the importance of attending to both spiritual as well as material growth and knowledge in the Scout and with his or her family. Completion of each emblem and endorsement by the Scout’s parish is recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with the presentation of the youth religious emblem square knot. This knot is a silver square knot embroidered on a purple rectangle patch which is then worn on the uniform for the remainder of a scout’s tenure in Scouting – even into adulthood.
Scouts in the first and second grade may earn the Light of Christ emblem. The Light of Christ program is a workbook-based activity that is completed with the help of the family. Working over the course of 4-6 weeks a Tiger or Wolf Scout learns more about God in an age-appropriate way. Once completed, the workbook is reviewed by a member of the Scout’s parish clergy to reinforce the concepts of the Light of Christ in each member of the Church.
This program is for Tiger or Wolf Cub Scouts (first and second grades) who are of the Catholic faith. The Light of Christ Activity Book #33074 is available from any local Boy Scout shop or order online at ScoutShop.org
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting care of the Office for Catholic Education and will be sent after certification by the parish.
religious_awards_order_form.pdf
Scouts who complete the Light of Christ are also entitled to wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot (silver knot on purple, item #5007) over the left pocket of the BSA uniform.
The Light of Christ emblem is typically presented at a parish Eucharistic Celebration and all award recipients are honored at an annual diocesan celebration in the spring.
Parvuli Dei means “family of God” and is an emblem study program for Bear and Webelos Scouts. This family-centered study program for older children is meant to emphasize that the Scout is a member of God’s family and how that membership is mirrored in the Scout’s earthly family. The Parvuli Dei emblem workbook also provides opportunities for Scouts to present his or her work to the pastor or his representative who can reinforce and encourage the Scouts to continue growing spiritually.
This program is for Bear and Webelos Scouts (third, fourth, and fifth grades). The Parvuli Dei Activity Book #33085 is available from any local Boy Scout shop or order online at ScoutShop.org
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting care of the Office for Catholic Education and will be sent after certification by the parish.
religious_awards_order_form.pdf
Scouts who complete the Parvuli Dei are also entitled to wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot (silver knot on purple, item #5007) over the left pocket of the BSA uniform.
The Parvuli Dei emblem is typically presented at a parish Eucharistic Celebration and all award recipients are honored at an annual diocesan celebration in the spring.
The Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) emblem is a sacrament-based curriculum that is designed for Scouts who have completed the 6th grade and are prepared to make a serious commitment toward exploring how their faith and how their Scout membership mirror and support each other. This emblem is completed by a group of Scouts working together through small group discussions that are facilitated by a counselor who is approved by the pastor and trained for their role as counselor by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. It often takes 6-8 months to complete the material contained in the Ad Altare Dei manual. The final step for earning the emblem is for the Scout to demonstrate growth and maturation at a Board of Review that examines the workbook and accompanying materials to see if the Scout had an effective spiritual experience and to reinforce and support how the Scout has come to see the religious obligations and opportunities of both Catholicism and Scouting.
An adult counselor helps guide the students throughout the program. Training for adult moderators is held regularly by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
The Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual #33094 is used by each participant and the Ad Altare Dei Counselor's Guide #33072 by the adults working with the program. Both of these books are available from any local Boy Scout shop, or online at ScoutShop.org
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting care of the Office for Catholic Education and will be sent after successful examination by an Ad Altare Dei board of review.
religious_awards_order_form.pdf
Scouts who complete the Ad Altare Dei are also entitled to wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot (silver knot on purple, item #5007) over the left pocket of the BSA uniform.
The Ad Altare Dei emblem is traditionally presented at the Annual Scout Mass after successful completion of the program and certification by the parish.
The "Light is Life" is a program developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for BoyScouts of the Eastern Catholic churches. Light is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various Eastern Catholic Churches.
The overall goal of the Light is Life religious emblem program is to bring about in the Scout, through his Eastern Christian Scouting experience, a deeper awareness of his share in faith-life. Then going forth, he will witness this life through maturity in communal worship and in Christian formation of his world.
The method of presentation of each step is the learning concept basic to all Scouting learning experience. Each step has a 'guided discovery' through reading and questions; its 'teacher-learner' situation through discussion with the counselor; its 'application' through the projects; and its 'evaluation' by the Scout and his counselor and the Scout's discussion with his Scoutmaster of his progress.
The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church. All else is secondary.
Contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting for more information or to order the emblem.
The Pope Pius XII emblem is a study program that invites high school age Scouts and Venturers to focus on the future and the potential vocation that he or she feels God is calling them to live. The Pope Pius XII program is completed through small group discussion between Scouts and includes opportunities for input from panels of adults who have accepted various vocations for their lives. A trained adult approved by the pastor works with the group. This emblem also includes a Board of View coordinated through the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
An adult counselor helps guide the students throughout the program. Training for adult moderators is held twice a year by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
The Pope Pius XII Scout Manual #33076 is used by each participant and the Pope Pius XII Moderator's Guide #34733 by the adults working with the program. They are both available from any local Boy Scout shop or online at ScoutShop.org
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting care of the Office for Catholic Education and will be sent after successful completion of all requirements and passing a Pope Pius XII Board of Review.
religious_awards_order_form.pdf
Scouts who complete the Pope Pius XII are also entitled to wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot (silver knot on purple, item #5007) over the left pocket of the BSA uniform.
The Pope Pius XII emblem is traditionally presented at the Annual Scout Mass after successful completion of the program and certification by the parish.
GSUSA Recognitions
The God Is Love program is designed for use with students who are in kindergarten or first grade. The program helps students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all.
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting after certification by the parish. Download the order form: religious_awards_order_form.pdf
The purpose of the Family of God program is to invite children in second and third grade to explore a wide range of activities that help them discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of a family and a parish.
Parents work with their child on the activity choices described in the Family of God Children's Workbook. Workbooks are bilingual and each chapter has objectives that describe dimensions of children's lives within the family setting and within the Catholic community, or "God's family."
The workbook can be ordered directly from the publisher, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting after certification by the parish. Download the order form: religious_awards_order_form.pdf
The Family of God medal and patch are typically presented at a parish Eucharistic Celebration and all award recipients are honored at an annual diocesan celebration in the spring.
The purpose of the I Live My Faith program is to enable children in grades four to six to become more aware of the place that God and religion hold in daily life.
The program and its projects focus on developing self awareness and potential as an ever growing human person, as an involved member of the troop or group, as a responsible member of the family, as a searching and growing member of the community of faith, and as a participating citizen of a nation, neighborhood, city or town.
Parents or other adult advisors work with the children on the activity choices described in the I Live My Faith Project Book.
The workbook can be ordered directly from the publisher, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting after certification by the parish. Download the order form: religious_awards_order_form.pdf
The I Live My Faith medal and patch are typically presented at a parish Eucharistic Celebration and all award recipients are honored at an annual diocesan celebration in the spring.
The purpose of the Spirit Alive program is to help young Catholics in grades nine to twelve grow in awareness of the Holy Spirit in their lives by inviting participants to accept the Holy Spirit's call to transform our world with the life and truth of Jesus.
An adult mentor works with the students throughout the program. Training for adult mentors is held regularly by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
The Spirit Alive program book and Mentor Handbook can be ordered directly from the publisher, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.
The award package is ordered from the Catholic Committee on Scouting after certification by the parish. Download the order form: religious_awards_order_form.pdf
The Spirit Alive medal and patch are traditionally presented at the Annual Scout Mass after successful completion of the program and certification by the parish.
Missio is the newest Recognition program from the National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Campfire USA. Missio is designed for students in grades 11-12. The program invites young people to explore discipleship and their own religious identity. Missio was jointly created by the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States and National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.
Patches and Awards
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting Activities Committee for the Boys Scouts of America is proud to announce a patch activity called the "Footsteps of American Saints". The Footsteps of American Saints Activity program is a religious activity program that encourages youth to learn about several individuals that have shaped the landscape of Catholicism in America. The goal of this activity is to share the lives of several Saints so that the youth might relate to what these people have done and maybe look to these individuals as role models.
This religious activity honors those men and women who led heroic lives of faith. Their words, their deeds, and their devotion to prayer and to the sacraments, inspire all American Catholics. In the church calendar for the United States, some have the rank of "Saint" and are venerated by the universal church. Some have the rank of "Blessed" and are venerated by the local church. Some have the rank of "Venerable" and, while on the way to becoming a "Saint", may be venerated by Catholics. Most of these men and women lived and worked in North America in what is now the United States. Some others never set foot in America, however they had a huge impact on the Catholic American landscape. All of them sought to follow Jesus.
The list of Saints and Blesseds is currently available. Follow the link for each Saint/Blessed for a brochure that describes the requirements for earning the patch as well as order information. These patches are available from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Ordering information is on the brochure for each patch. Please order from NCCS directly.
Girl Scouts and Campfire USA participants can earn and wear these patches as well. These patches are considered "temporary" patches and could only be worn as such, usually on the back of a vest or sash.
NOTE: Some patches are being discontinued as of summer 2018
- Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Saint John Neumann
- Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
- Saint Peter Claver
- Saint Isaac Jogues
- Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
- Saint André Bessette
- Saint Marianne Cope
- Saint Katharine Drexel
- Saint Damien of Molokai
- Saint Isidore the Farmer
- Saint Junípero Serra
- Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
- Saint George
- Saint Juan Diego
- Saint Theodore Guerin
- Blessed Marie Rose Durocher
- Blessed Carlos Rodriguez
- Blessed Miguel Pro
- Venerable Michael McGivney
Follow this link to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website to download brochures with program requirements.
The Rosary Patch Series is a religious activity patch award program that focuses on the different Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and How to Pray the Rosary as a means for youth and adults alike to learn more about the Catholic faith. Youth and Adults can earn the patches. There are 5 patches in the series and these programs can be done individually or as a group. The 5 patches in the Rosary Patch Series are:
- Joyful Mysteries Patch
- Sorrowful Mysteries Patch
- Luminous Mysteries Patch
- Glorious Mysteries Patch
- Pray the Rosary Patch
Each Patch has unique requirements for different age groups and these requirements are printed on the links to the flyers for each patch in the list above. Adult leaders verify the correctness of answers and purchase the patches directly from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Ordering information is on the brochure for each patch.
Follow this link to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website to download brochures with program requirements.
Girl Scouts and Campfire USA participants can earn and wear these patches as well. These patches are considered "temporary" patches and could only be worn as such, usually on the back of a vest or sash.
The International Awareness Activity Recognition is designed to help Cub, Scouts/Venturing, Scouters learn more about how the Catholic faith is a universal faith that is practiced around the world. To participate in this award program, please see the requirements on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting webpage. Once you have completed all requirements, the Application can be printed from the same website and sent to the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, c/o Catholic Pastoral Center, 1615 W Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62702.
"Duty to God" is a phrase Scouting has strongly endorsed. These words reaffirm our commitment to the important precepts of Scouting - the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. The twelfth point of the Scout Law is, "A Scout is Reverent." As the Catholic Church continues to develop its apostolate to youth, it recognizes Scouting as an important part of Youth Ministry.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a unique patch to commemorate the "Duty of God" initiative. The patch is not only colorful, but also beautifully fully embroidered, showing symbols of our Catholic roots -crosier, cross, shield, youth ministry commitment intertwined with the Boy Scout logo and the "Duty to God" pledge. This patch is something every youth member and Scouter would be proud to wear as the patch proclaims their involvement with this program. There are countless ways to use this patch to promote "Scouting as Youth Ministry." Diocesan and Unit Committees are not restricted by any national rules and may present the patch for many reasons. The following are suggestions as to who might be ideal recipients and wearers of this patch:
- Each youth starting on, working on, or completing a religious emblem.
- Each youth and adult member of a Pope Paul VI unit.
- Each youth and adult member completing a service project or attending a retreat event.
- Each youth and adult member of a National Gold Medallion Winner or Regional Finalist.
- Each youth participant in the St. George Trek.
- Each person contacted to start a new unit such as clergy, laypeople, Knights of Columbus members, etc.
- Each adult member completing a new phase of training.
- Units present their own clergy, youth ministers, formation directors and others involved in youth ministry.
- All religious emblems counselors and members of the Diocesan Committee.
There are many other possibilities of recipients, and they are limited only by your imagination. For more information, go to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting webpage.
The Marian Series gives Scouts the opportunity to learn more about Mary, Our Mother. Each of the links below is a specific patch award program available to all.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting is developing a new patch series on modern people who have had an impact on the Church in the United States. Details are posted on the website here.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has religious awards on various aspects of the Catholic Faith. New patches are being developed so check back frequently!
BSA Unit Awards
About this Award
Cooperation, development, and program are the key words in the recognition of Catholic chartered units in earning the National Catholic Unit Excellence Award - Pope Paul VI. The adult leadership responds to training not only in Scouting lores, but training in Catholic National Catholic Leadership Development, and religious counseling. The Scouts in each Pack, Troop, Team, and Crew/Ship respond by participating in the religious emblems program respective of their status in Scouting.
Eligibility
- Unit must be chartered by a Catholic institution.
- The award criteria is for one calendar year.
After completing the application, the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting will review all the applications in their diocese to determine the if the unit meets the criteria for this award. The unit leader will order patches, banners and certificates online, look for the Online Patch Order Link.
The NCCS Good Turn Service Project was instituted by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® Religious Activities standing committee to recognize Catholic-chartered units for their service to the charter organization. The recognition includes a unit Certificate of Merit from the NCCS Religious Activities committee and a blank individual participant certificate that can reproduced locally. Outstanding projects may be summarized and listed in NCCS literature and/or posted on NCCS website. This national recognition is available to Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing Crews. There are seven (7) steps to complete the project, starting with planning the project with the charter organization and ending with submitting the project for review and celebrating completion. The Good Turn Service Project Manual documents each step and includes templates and examples that can assist the project leader.
For more information, go to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website.
Displaying Awards
Celebrations for Presenting Religious Awards
Below is a resource that can be adapted for local use in preparing a suitable award presentation ceremony for Scouts who have earned religious awards.
Parish_Recognition_of_Religious_Awards.pdf
Presenting the Award:
Religious awards should be presented in the same manner as other significant BSA awards for the unit. For Cub Scouts and Webelos, the presentation could be part of a Pack meeting or at the Blue and Gold Banquet. Scouts BSA typically host a Court of Honor to give out awards. Special recognition could also be part of the parish celebration of Scout Sunday, usually the first Sunday in February or at a time that works better for the pastor and parish.
Wearing the Award
The emblem is normally worn for only the most formal occasions in Scouting. Examples would be Courts of Honor, Blue and Gold Banquets and during your parish celebration of Scout Sunday. The medal is worn pinned immediately above the top seam of the left shirt pocket of the official uniform.
In lieu of the emblem, Scouts are authorized to wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot (silver on purple, item #5007) above the left breast pocket and below the World Crest on the official Scout uniform.
Once earned, the Scout may wear the Religious Emblem Square Knot all official Scout uniforms throughout his or her Scouting career. Religious awards are not BSA awards and, therefore, do not have to be removed when a Scout transitions from one Scouting program to another, or from transitioning from being a youth member to an adult member of Boy Scouts of America.
Girl Scout Insignia
For information about the placement of religious recognitions and other insignia for members of Girl Scout troops, please visit https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/uniforms.html,