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Pope Pius XII

 

About The Emblem:

Pope Pius XII is Catholic Scouting's church-related ministries and vocation program.

To have the candidate examine how being a Christian affects daily life in a real world.

To challenge the candidate to evaluate his or her own personal talents and abilities in light of a possible choice of lifestyle/vocation or ministry that relates in some way to belonging to and becoming increasingly more active in the Catholic Christian faith community.

To give the candidate an opportunity to share faith and practice his/her religion among peers, while receiving guidance and feedback attuned to the ideals of Scouting.

 

Eligibility:

Registered Venture Crew Members and Boy Scouts of the Catholic Faith.

Designed for age 15-16 year old, but all registered Venturers (male or female before their 21st birthday) and all registered Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18th birthday) are eligible.

Requirements:

  • Group size should be 6-12.

  • The program should be run by the candidates themselves.

  • Attend the annual Diocesan Religious Emblems retreat.

  • Optional Service Projects.

  • Interviews with religious leaders.

Participants Manual and Counselor’s Guide may be obtained most economically and quickly from your local BSA Council Service Center (Scout Shop.) Alternatively, books can be obtained directly from BSA Supply. The books cannot be copied.

 

Program Completion:

After all sections have been completed, the counselor will contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to schedule the Scout to attend the annual Diocesan Religious Emblems Retreat held in January. At the retreat, the scout will go through his Board of Review. Pope Pius XII Boards of Review are made up of former Pope Pius XII recipients with adult leaders acting in an advisory and supervisory role.

Award Ceremony:

The emblem will be presented once a year at the Scout Convocation which is held on Scout Sunday at St. Joseph’s in Columbia. Bishop Guglielmone will present each scout with his emblem.

 

Scout's Role:

As older Scouts, the candidates are expected to actively work as a group. The group elects a leader that not only leads group sessions, but also makes arrangements for interviews, tours, and schedules.

 

Parent's Role:

BSA and DOCCCS require two-deep leadership. As the Facilitator is used as a resource, instead of the primary group leader, parents should make themselves available to be the second adult.

 

Suggested Time Requirements:

It is suggested that the group meet for seven to twelve sessions. Although there is no suggested length, sessions should be planned for a 4-6 month period.

Facilitator's Role:

  • The Facilitator must have attended the Religious Emblems Counselor training class, have completed an application to be a religious emblems counselor, have completed all Diocesan requirements for volunteers with access to children (including VIRTUS) and hold current BSA Youth Protection Training certification.

  • Follow and use the Facilitator's Guide.

  • Act as facilitator, not group leaders.

  • Help the candidate focus on essential elements and important issues.

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