St. George

St. George Adult Religious Emblem


The National Catholic Committee on Scouting®, acting through the local diocese or eparchy, may award the St. George emblem to members of the laity and clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike, who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting. The recipients of the emblem are to be sought after and selected by an active committee of the (arch)diocese/eparchy. This committee is to be newly-appointed each year by the diocesan Scout chaplain or chairperson.

Nomination forms should give a detailed description of how the nominee provides outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting in the Catholic Church. It is improper to nominate oneself or one’s spouse.

General Scouting achievements do not qualify a person to receive the St. George emblem. The Boy Scouts of America has district, council, regional and national awards for such recognition.

Eligibility:

  • Any adult who is working in the Scouting Program.
  • May be given to clergy, religious, laity, or Scouters of other faiths.
  • A Scouter does not earn the St. George emblem but is recommended by application to a board of review by another person.

Purpose:

  • The St. George Emblem is the National Catholic Committee on Scouting emblem awarded by a(n) (arch)diocese/eparchy.
  • The purpose of the St. George Emblem is to recognize the recipient’s outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Guidelines for Nomination and Selection:

  • Promoting the religious emblems programs for Catholic youths or serving as a counselor, moderator or coordinator. Encouraging non-Catholic youths to participate in the religious emblems programs of their own faiths.
  • Giving notable service in promoting Catholic activities and service projects for the church and being willing to serve on committees for those purposes.
  • Actively participating in and promoting Scout retreats and days of recollection.
  • Giving notable service in organizing and maintaining Catholic-chartered Scouting units including multiple units where needed.
  • Giving notable service in bringing the Catholic program to those youths not in Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
  • Using fully one’s general Scouter training as well as “Scouter Development” to provide an outstanding Catholic Scouting program for youths.
  • Arranging opportunities for Mass and other Catholic worship services at camporees and summer camps. These must be consistent with the documents of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  • Providing also for the spiritual needs of non-Catholic Scouts.
  • Encouraging appropriate ecumenism and Catholic leadership within the various Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
  • Using the Catholic press and other communications media to create a better understanding of the aims and ideals of Scouting as an apostolate to youths.
  • Educating clergy and laity about Scouting as a youth apostolate in the Catholic Church.
  • Giving leadership in promoting Scouting for all youths regardless of race or creed. Helping organize Scouting units for minority and disadvantaged youths.

Requirements:

  • Completed nomination form returned to the nomination committee.
  • A new nomination form must be submitted each year.
  • A limited number of emblems can be issued each year.

Number of Awards Available:

  • Each (arch)diocese/eparchy can award one emblem annually plus one additional emblem for every 20 Catholic-chartered units or fractions thereof within the diocese.
  • The total number of units is based on the records at the national office on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the nomination.
  • An (arch)diocese/eparchy is not required to present the full quota of emblems each year, but cannot carry over to a following year. Selectivity is important.
  • No posthumous or honorary recognitions are to be made.

Presentation:

  • The emblem is presented at the annual Cathedral Awards Ceremony in the spring.

The purpose of the adult recognition programs is to recognize the recipient’s outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of the Catholic Youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

If you have someone you would like to nominate complete the application for the award and return it to the Catholic Committee by January 10th.