Youth Emblems and Awards in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
Catholic Religious Awards for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers
The Boy Scout emblems program is provided through the Archdiocese of Washington by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.
The Light of Christ Emblem:
The Light of Christ program is designed for Tiger and Wolf cubs and their parents and families (before beginning third grade). This program helps the Tiger or Wolf develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents’ active participation, the young Cub Scout will see Jesus as a real person and his friend. These emblems are presented in the Scout’s home parish during the Scout Sunday Celebration or another suitable time.
The Parvuli Dei Emblem:
The Parvuli Dei program is for Bears and Webelos and their parents and families (third through fifth grade). This program helps young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. It also develops a good self-image by enabling the Cub to make contributions to the group or community. These emblems are presented in the Scout’s home parish during the Scout Sunday Celebration or another suitable time.
The Ad Altare Dei Emblem:
The Ad Altare Dei program involves a series of steps through which the Scout grows spiritually as a young Catholic by reading Scripture and doing projects that are designed to help him understand the meaning of the Sacraments. Special emphasis is placed on the scout applying these teachings with his family, scoutmaster, and scout troop. A trained religious emblems counselor is required. This program is restricted to Boy Scouts who have been members of a unit for 6 months, completed the 6th grade and have not yet reached the age of 18 or earned the Pope Pius XII emblem.
The Pope Pius XII Emblem:
In the Pope Pius XII program, high school aged Boy Scouts and Venturers working in small groups study and discuss their role as young Catholics in today’s society. Guided by the Holy Spirit, this formation can make youth more aware of their potential of being future Christian leaders. A trained religious emblems counselor is required to assist in the program.
Pillars of Faith Award:
The Pillars of Faith Award recognizes those Boy Scouts who have earned all four of the Catholic Religious Emblems. For every 100 boys who join Scouting, only 4% reach the rank of Eagle. Even fewer Scouts earn a Religious Emblem, so to earn all four Catholic Religious Emblems is a monumental feat. The Pillars of Faith - Duty to God pin recognizes these Scouts.
For More Information: Chris Murray
Special Notes: The Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII Emblem program require the trained counselor notify Chris Murray they are working with Scouts and the projected date of completion of the Program. Counselors must also contact Chris no later than mid-February to schedule the Board of Review.
More information regarding these programs is available in the Catholic Committee on Boy Scouting Program Book or by contacting Chris Murray.
Catholic Religious Awards for Catholic Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Boys & Girls
Desciptions and programs offered through the Archdicoses of Washington from the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Campfire.
Family of God Emblem is a bilingual activity series developed to compliment the catechetical efforts of the parish and families with children in second and third grades. The program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives and members of their family and parish.
I Live My Faith Emblem is designed to help girls appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily life. The action oriented program is divided into three chapters, “Stretching,” “Seeking,” and “Finding,” each of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service and sacrament into a unified whole. I Live My Faith complements and supports the more formal religions education provided in Catholic Schools and parish programs.
Mary, the first Disciple Emblem enables young Catholics to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” This is accomplished by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality – a woman of the church. Through various projects, discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them.
The Spirit Alive Emblem is designed to assist Catholic Youth in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church’s ministry. The four chapters cover the Holy Spirit Alive in Scripture, in the Catholic Church, in Prayer and in Your Life. Because different people have different learning styles, there are four categories of activities to choose from in chapters 1-3: written, artistic, interactive and digital. The activity in chapter 4 is the service component of the process.
Pillars of Faith Award recognizes those Girl Scouts who have earned all four of the Catholic Religious Emblems. For every 100 girls who join Scouting very few earn their Gold award. Even fewer Scouts earn a Religious Emblem, so to earn all four Catholic Religious Emblems is a monumental feat. The Pillars of Faith - Duty to God pin recognizes these Scouts.
For More Information: Brenda Murtha (Girl Scouts) or Rosemary Pezzuto (Camp Fire USA)
The Cardinal's Honor Guard (for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire USA youth)
The Archdiocese of Washington Cardinal’s Honor Guard was established in 1993 for Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Boys and Girls in 7-12 grades. The purpose is to identify youth who exemplify the qualities of scouting in the Catholic Faith through Leadership, Social Activism, Service and Spiritual Enrichment.
To receive an application, please contact Brenda Murtha.
Cardinal’s Honor Troop Award for individual Boy Scouts
In 1984, at the request of the then-Archbishop, James Cardinal Hickey, the Honor Troop Award for Boy Scouts was re-instituted in the Archdiocese of Washington. Based on a strong conviction in the value of the Scouting program and in promoting the spiritual and physical growth of Catholic youth, the award is given annually to help stimulate more participation and excellence in Catholic Scouting in the Archdiocese.
In 2010, the troop award was changed to an individual recognition that emphasizes leadership, service, social action and spiritual enrichment. The application must be completed and submitted by April 15th. Awardees are recognized at the closing ceremony of the annual retreat and formally presented the award at the annual Emblems recognition ceremony in May.
For more information, please contact Patricia Walker
Annual Archdiocese of Washington Emblems Recognition/Presentation
This prayer service and presentation involves presentation of Religious Emblem Awards earned during the year by Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Camp Fire youth in the Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Camp Fire programs.
Youth awards include the Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII, I Live My Faith, the Mary, the first disciple and The Spirit Alive Emblems. The Cardinal’s Honor Troop Award is given to the outstanding individual Boy Scout and Venture Crew youth; Girl Scouts and Camp Fire youth who have earned the Cardinal’s Honor Guard Award are recognized. Recipients of the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei and Family of God receiving emblems in the previous year will be recognized.
All units are encouraged to attend the presentation ceremony. Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Camp Fire youth and leaders should be in full uniform. Each unit should designate one youth not receiving an emblem to carry their troop/unit/club flag. Members of the Cardinal’s Honor Troop will carry the Papal and American flags during the youth procession into the church. All youth receiving emblems, being recognized, or participating in the procession must arrive by 2:15 pm.
For more information regarding the ceremony, contact Brenda Murtha (Girl Scouts), Camp Fire Boys and Girls: Rosemary Pezzuto (Camp Fire USA) or Chris Murray (Boy Scouts)