Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing
There are five Youth Religious Emblems available through the NCCS. Two that can be earned by Cub Scouts, one of two that can be earned by Scouts in Scouting America units, and one that can be earned by Scouts in Scouting America units and Venturing crew members. There is also one NFCYM Emblem that can be earned by Life Scouts.
The God is Love emblem can be earned by Lion Scouts. The Light of Christ emblem can be earned by Tiger and Wolf Cub Scouts. The Parvuli Dei emblem can be earned by Bear and Webelos Cub Scouts. The Ad Altare Dei emblem can be earned by Roman Catholic Scouts in Scouting America units. The Light is Life emblem can be earned by Eastern Catholic Scouts in Scouting America units. The Pope Pius XII emblem can be earned by older Scouts in Scouting America units and Venturing crew members. Click on the links to the right 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 Scouting America religious knot at an appropriate unit presentation (Pack Meeting, Court of Honor), and the religious emblem at a parish/archdiocese ceremony.
Youth Recognition Ceremony
Each year, our archdiocese holds a Religious Emblems Conferral Mass to honor those Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouts, and Venturing Crew members who have earned an emblem. The Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 2621 Vermont St NE, Albuquerque, at 8:30 AM.
Obtaining Workbooks
Workbooks for these awards may be purchased at the High Desert Council Scout Shop or the Scouting America Supply Division’s “Scout Stuff” online store.