Religious Recognitions - BSA Only

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The religious recognition programs on this page are administered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting  and awarded by the Diocese of Joliet.

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These award programs may be utilized by all Catholic scouts in the diocese who are members of Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Varsity, Explorers, and Venturers (both male and female for all levels).

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR PROGRAM:

1. An original workbook is required for ALL medals. Medal books are available from your local nccs.org, scoutshop.org, or praypub.org.

2. The Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei medals can be completed with a parent.

3. The Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII emblems require the participation of a trained advisor who is compliant with all JDCCS youth protection requirements. To locate an advisor, please contact us for the most current list. If you cannot find an Adviser that is in your area, you, as a parent, may want to consider becoming an Adviser yourself. To become an advisor, see the advisor page.

4. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their Adviser/Counselor is trained. We cannot accept orders or completed application paperwork from untrained advisers/counselors. Please be sure and check the list first!

5. After completing all requirements in the program book, complete the medal application and collect all required signatures before sending in the order form. 

6.  Scouts completing all four medals in the series are eligible for the Pillars of Faith-Duty to God award.

7. PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION FOR THE RECOGNITION BEFORE YOU MAIL IT IN.  If you should need to order a replacement, if your original application is lost in the mail, or if you apply for the Pillars of Faith, you will have proof that you earned the medal. It is also a good idea to keep all completed workbooks, order forms and cards that come with the recognition, etc. in case it is requested from the diocese. We strive to keep accurate records but we are human volunteers so help us help you by keeping good records! 

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Light of Christ

Designed for grades 1 & 2, (grades 1 - 3 allowed) the purpose of the Light of Christ program is to have the Scout (male or female) develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as a real person and his friend. This type of relationship will allow him to better understand and appreciate Christ’s love and concern for him. NOTE: Parents MUST work with their child on this emblem. For more information go to: Light of Christ

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Parvuli Dei

Designed for grades 3 - 5, (grades 3 - 6 allowed) the purpose of the Parvuli Dei, (Children of God), program is to help young boys and girls explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives. They learn to be members of their families and parishes, and to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community. NOTE: Parents MUST work with their child on this emblem. For more information go to: Parvuli Dei

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Ad Altare Dei

Designed for 13 – 14 year old members of the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts BSA, (7th grade + allowed), and Venturers, (both male and female), through age 20 may use this program. The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei, (to the altar of God), program is to help Catholic Boy Scouts 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. The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church. For more information go to: Ad Altare Dei

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NOTE: Emblems can be earned in a small group or individually with the aid of a Counselor. The Ad Altare Dei program requires the participation of a trained advisor who is compliant with all JDCCS youth protection requirements, including Protecting God's Children and a VIRTUS account. To locate an advisor, please contact us for the most current list. If you cannot find an Adviser that is in your area, you, as a parent, may want to consider becoming an Adviser yourself. To become an advisor, see the advisor page.  As of the Summer of 2020 there is an electronic format for the Ad Altare Dei workbook is available for use by Counselors and Scouts who want to earn this emblem. For more information go to Ad Altare Dei.  

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Pope Pius XII

Designed for 15 – 16 year old members of the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts BSA, (9th grade + allowed), and Venturers, (both male and female), through age 20 may use this program. The Pope Pius XII program is Catholic Scouting’s church-related ministries and vocation program. The program deals with different life choices, (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations & 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 retreat or a day of recollection. For more information go to: Pope Pius XII

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NOTE:  Emblems can be earned in a small group, or individually with the aid of a Facilitator. The Pope Pius XII program requires the participation of a trained advisor who is compliant with all JDCCS youth protection requirements, including Protecting God's Children and a VIRTUS account. To locate an advisor, please contact us for the most current list. If you cannot find an Adviser that is in your area, you, as a parent, may want to consider becoming an Adviser yourself. To become an advisor, see the advisor page.   To order scout or facilitator manuals, visit Pope Pius XII   As of the Summer of 2020 there is NOT an electronic format for the Pope Pius XII workbook available to use BUT Counselors and Scouts who want to earn this emblem can use an online format (such as Zoom).  

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Pillars of Faith - Duty to God

 

This special award can be earned by those members of the Boy Scouts of America who have earned ALL four of the Catholic Religious emblems: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, and Pope Pius XII. The recognition consists of a golden pin which can be worn on the Scout uniform or as a lapel pin on non-Scout clothing. This is a SPECIAL recognition and as such it is ONLY awarded once a year, at the Annual Religious Recognitions Mass & Ceremony. Eligible youth should complete pages 2 & 3 of the application before their 21st birthday and forward it to the Joliet Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting at the address on the application.  Click Here for Application    

 

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Past Pillar of Faith Recipients

 

YEAR      RECIPIENT TYPE 

2024  Charles Cassin (Duty to God), Andrew Courtney (Duty to God), Nicholas Denault (Duty to                God), Emily Heinle (Service to God), Conor Kaefer (Duty to God), Nathan Lichucki (Duty to                God),  Julian Micetich (Duty to God) Noah Munson (Duty to God),  David & Isabelle Quigley              (Duty to God) 

2023  Isaiah Anderson (Duty to God),  Fionn Callahan (Duty to God), Owen Enos (Duty to God)

2022 Lorenzo Bonk (Duty to God), & Abigail White (Service to God) 

2021 Joel Dix (Duty to God), Derek & Tyler Hartke (Duty to God), Josh & Adam White (Duty to God),

2020 No Recipients Duty to God 

2019 Christian Micetich (Duty to God), Anthony Powers (Duty to God), Alicia Shanahan (Duty to               God), Jonathan Sulich (Duty to God), Rebekah Vire (Service to God),  Madelynn Zeller                       (Service to God) 

2018 No Recipient 

2017 Charles Rickerson (Duty to God)

2016 Brandon Hedges (Duty to God), Nathan Hu (Duty to God), Bill Laitar (Duty to God), Daniel                 Parker (Duty to God), Nicholas Sulich (Duty to God) 

2015 Tim Schramek (Duty to God) & Jacob Quigley (Duty to God) 

2014 Steven Widlowski (Duty to God) 

2013 Thomas & William Doody (Duty to God), Patrick Johnson (Duty to God), Shaun Kellier (Duty to         God), Sean Nadeau (Duty to God), Thomas Schramek (Duty to God)  

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