There are four Religious Emblem programs available for Scouts to earn, each emblem requires a Scout to obtain a manual for earning that emblem with the goal of completing requirements over the course of several weeks or months. Religious Emblems are not merely awards for completing a set of requirements but recognize a young person’s growth in faith and how they live out their Catholic faith. When a Scout completes the requirements for an emblem, the Scout is entitled to wear the BSA
Religious Knot in addition to the earned Emblem. The goal of each Religious Emblem program is to provide an age-appropriate structure where Scouts can grow in faith and apply what they learn to their everyday life. Details on each emblem are below and additional information is available on the registration link below. Cub Scouts who earn Light of Christ or Parvuli Dei will typically receive their emblem at Scout Sunday in February. All Scouts who earn Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII will receive their award at the Catholic Annual Awards Ceremony at St. Joseph Cathedral at 10:00a.m. on April 12th, 2025. Scouts that complete four Catholic Religious Emblem Programs will receive The Bishop’s Scouting Award.
Registration is open to individual Scouts, Packs, & Troops.
Light of Christ Designed for 6 or 7-year-old Cub Scouts
The purpose of the Light of Christ emblem program is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents’ active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and friend.
Link to Additional Information on Emblem:
https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/light-of-christ/
Parvuli Dei Designed for 8 to10-year-old Cub Scouts
The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem program is to help Cub Scouts explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to their family, pack and community.
Link to Additional Information on Emblem:
https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/parvuli-dei/
Ad Altare Dei Designed for a 13 to 14-year-old Scout who is Roman Catholic, registered in a BSA Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship
The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) emblem program is to help Scouts of the Roman Catholic Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.
Link to Additional Information on Emblem:
https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/ad-altare-dei/
Pope Pius XII Designed for any young person 15 years of age or older who is registered in a BSA Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship
The purpose of the Pope Pius XII emblem program is to help Scouts explore vocations (single, married, religious, ordained) and ministries in the Church as calls from God. It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the Church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pope Pius XII retreat or day of recollection.
Link to Additional Information on Emblem:
https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/pope-pius-xii/
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