Youth Religious Emblems
National Youth Religious Emblems
There are five Youth Religious Emblems available through the NCCS. Two can be earned by Cub Scouts, one can be earned by Boy Scouts, and one can be earned by Boy Scouts and Venturing crew members.
Click on the emblem names to open a new window with NCCS requirements.
Cub Scout emblems are completed in a family setting with assistance of a trained Religious Emblems coordinator. These programs take approximately two months to complete. The Ad Altare Dei and Light is Life emblems are completed during scheduled meetings led by a trained Religious Emblems Counselor, with outside homework, and take approximately 5-7 months to complete. The Pope Pius XII emblem is completed at scheduled meetings led by the participants, and moderated by a trained Religious Emblems Moderator, with outside homework. It takes approximately 9-12 sessions (4-6 months) to complete.
Upon completion, each candidate will meet with their parish priest, or his designate, to review what the Scout/Venturing crew member has learned. After this review, the Scout/Venturing crew member will receive a BSA religious knot at an appropriate unit presentation (Pack Meeting, Court of Honor), and the religious emblem at a parish/diocese ceremony.
Diocesan Youth Religious Emblems
The Order of St. Dominic Savio is a diocesan vocation awareness program open to Catholic high school students (boys and girls) who are members of a troop or venturing crew and have earned the Ad Altare Dei or the Pope Pius XII. Additional requirements include attendance at a Vocations Awareness Day (held in January), writing an essay on Church vocations, meeting with the pastor or other designated religious to discuss vocations, plan and assist in a scout retreat. The successful candidate is awarded a sash of papal colors. For more information, click on the image of St. Dominic Savio, or contact the Vocations Chair - Jack Thompson at 812-853-3273 or jackt2@gmail.com.
Youth Recognition Ceremony
Each year at the Boy Scout Retreat, the Bishop holds a Youth Recognition ceremony to honor those Boy Scouts and Venturing Crew members who have received the emblems. In general each Parish also recognizes their scouts who have earned emblems often during Scout Sunday.
Emblem Counselor Training
Counselors (instructors) for the national emblems must be formally trained. Classes are offered periodically as needed. Counselors must meet requirements of the Diocesan Youth Protection Policy.
