Pope Pius XII

Pope Pius XII Youth Religious Emblem for Boy Scouts & Venturers


What: A Catholic Scouting church-related ministry and vocation program. This program involves discussion and sharing from the youth in a group atmosphere. You will examine how being a Christian affects daily life in the real world; and challenge your own personal talents and abilities in light of a possible choice of lifestyle, vocation, or ministry. And lastly, to give the candidate an opportunity to share faith and practice his/her religion among peers, while receiving guidance and feedback. This program was initiated in 1960.

When: This program could take between 6 and 8 months to complete. Emblems are presented every year at the Cathedral Ceremony.

Who: Before beginning this program the youth must have started the ninth grade and be registered in a Troop or Crew. The work is done with a trained Religious Emblem Counselor. Contact your leader or Bro. Andrew Kosmowski, SM, for a list of counselors.

Requirements: It is recommended that youth earn the Ad Altare Dei emblem before beginning to work on the Pope Pius XII program. However this is not required. It is required that the youth work in a group atmosphere, but we can also make an exception if that is impossible. All steps in this program must be completed before presenting yourself to the Catholic Committee on Scouting Board of Review.

Some of the chapters include:

  1. In the Beginning: The goal of this chapter is to examine the individuals you have chosen to associate with, and explain the implications of these choices.
  2. God and You: The goal of this chapter is to explore what it means to be called by God through the Sacraments of Initiation, and how these calls continue in and affect your life.
  3. Life Choices: The goal of this chapter is to examine and discover various “life states” to which God may be calling you.
  4. 9 to 5: The goal of this chapter is to examine various professions of occupations, and seek to discover the ones to which God may be calling you.
  5. Here I Am: The goal of this chapter is to examine various ministries, and seek to discover the ones to which God may be calling me.
  6. A Melting Pot: The goal of this chapter is to examine the Church’s definition of vocation and how it and God’s calls link in an individual’s daily life through life state, occupation and ministry.
  7. Putting It All Together: The goal of this chapter is to aid the participants in a realization that our faith and call from God affect our daily life and how our daily life affects our faith and call from God.

When all chapters are completed, please contact the Catholic Committee on Scouting for a calendar of important dates, including Board of Review dates, the Cathedral Ceremony, retreats, etc.

Please complete the application “To Begin Working On” in the very front of your Pope Pius XII participant manual. Once you are finished with the program, you must attend the diocesan Pope Pius XII Board of Review and then submit your application “For Review and Presentation” before you are allowed to purchase the award. Except for special circumstances, all Pope Pius XII awards are presented at the annual Cathedral Awards Ceremony in the spring.