About the Emblem
The Ad Altare Dei (To the Altar of God) emblem helps Catholic Scouts develop a fully Christian way of life within the faith community. The program is organized around the seven sacraments, which are central to Catholic life and a primary means of spiritual growth.
In 2026, Catholic Scouting America celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem. The emblem was first awarded to Scouts on February 7, 1926, by the Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego. The program was created to support the spiritual development of Scouts and quickly became an important part of Catholic Scouting. On December 14, 1939, the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America approved the wearing of the Ad Altare Dei emblem on the Scout uniform, making it the first award of its kind in Scouting.
Program Objectives
The most important goal of the Ad Altare Dei program is the Scout’s spiritual growth. Through the program, Scouts are invited to deepen their relationship with God, grow in their understanding of the sacraments, and participate more fully in the life of the Church.
Eligibility
The Ad Altare Dei emblem is for Catholic young people who are registered in a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew, or Sea Scout ship.
To begin the program, the Scout must:
- Be Catholic
- Be registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts
- Be an active member of their unit for at least six months
- Have completed the sixth grade before starting the program
- Registered Venturers and Sea Scouts may participate before their 21st birthday. Registered Scouts BSA members may participate before their 18th birthday.
Requirements
Each Scout must have their own Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual, either the printed edition or the electronic version, depending on the structure chosen by the facilitator.
A Catholic Bible is required for this program. The New Living Translation Catholic Edition is recommended for this age group, although any approved Catholic translation may be used.
Regular participation in Sunday Mass is also required.
All diocesan or eparchial safe environment requirements and Scouting America Youth Protection policies must be followed.
Each Scout must complete the requirements in the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual and participate in the final review process to be eligible to receive the emblem.
Program Design
Ad Altare Dei is designed especially for Scouts who are about 13 or 14 years old, although older youth may also complete the program.
The program is typically completed over six to eight months. This allows Scouts time to reflect, participate in discussion, complete the activities, and grow in their understanding of the sacraments and Catholic life.
Getting Started
The Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual may be obtained from a local Scouting America Council Service Center Scout Shop, the Scouting America Scout Shop, or the Catholic Scouting America/NCCS Online Store. The electronic version of the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual is available through the Catholic Scouting America/NCCS Online Store.
The Scout should identify an approved facilitator before beginning the program. A trained facilitator is required for Ad Altare Dei. Families may ask their unit leader, religious emblems coordinator, parish, or Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting whether there is a trained facilitator in their area.
Adults interested in becoming facilitators should contact their Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting for training and approval. If no Catholic Committee on Scouting exists in the diocese or eparchy, contact the Catholic Scouting America/NCCS Religious Emblems Committee Chair for guidance.
Before beginning the program, the Scout must complete the application included in the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual. The application must be signed by the applicant, parent or guardian, facilitator, unit leader, and pastor.
Scout’s Role
The Scout should:
- Attend all scheduled sessions
- Actively participate in discussions and activities
- Complete the activities in the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual
- Use a Catholic Bible when appropriate
- Make journal entries and written responses legible and thoughtful
- Review each completed step with the facilitator
- Be prepared to share what they have learned during the final review
- Participate in a day of reflection, day of recollection, or other approved spiritual formation experience while working on the program
Facilitator’s Role
The facilitator (formerly referred to as a counselor) accompanies Scouts as they work through the Ad Altare Dei program. The facilitator helps keep the group focused, encourages discussion, reviews completed work, and supports each Scout’s spiritual growth.
Facilitators should be approved in advance by their pastor and by the diocesan or eparchial Scout chaplain or Catholic Committee on Scouting.
All facilitators must have current Scouting America Youth Protection Training and meet diocesan or eparchial safe environment requirements.
The Ad Altare Dei Facilitator Guide is an important resource for this program. Facilitators may also supplement the guide with appropriate Catholic resources, including FORMED materials where available.
Facilitators should:
- Use either the printed youth manual or the electronic version, depending on the program structure
- Share the Ad Altare Dei Youth Guide with Scouts preparing to begin the program
- Hold all scheduled sessions
- Facilitate discussion and help participants stay on track
- Review the Youth Manual as each Scout progresses through the program
- Sign and date the certification of completion for each step
- Keep the unit Religious Emblems Coordinator informed of the Scout’s progress, if applicable
- Follow all Scouting America Youth Protection and diocesan or eparchial safe environment requirements for in-person and virtual meetings
In-person and virtual sessions must follow Scouting America’s two-deep leadership requirements and all applicable diocesan or eparchial safe environment policies.
Program Completion
After all sections of the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual have been completed, the facilitator should contact the Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting for information about the final review process. If no committee exists in the diocese or eparchy, contact the Catholic Scouting America/NCCS Religious Emblems Committee Chair.
The final review gives the Scout an opportunity to reflect on their experience, share what they have learned, and discuss how the program has helped them grow in faith. After the review has been completed successfully, the facilitator should contact the Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting for instructions about approval, ordering, and presentation of the emblem.
Scouts who earn this emblem are also eligible to wear the Scouting America religious emblem square knot on their uniform. Families should check with their Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting to learn how knots are presented locally. If the square knot is not presented with the emblem, it may be purchased at a local Scouting America Council Service Center Scout Shop with proof that the Scout received the emblem.
Earning the Ad Altare Dei emblem also fulfills one of the requirements needed to apply for the annual Catholic Scouting America/NCCS College Scholarship program.
Ordering of Emblems
Each diocese or eparchy has one or more authorized individuals who may order Catholic religious emblems. Only authorized diocesan or eparchial submitters may order emblems.
Families, units, and parishes should not order emblems directly unless instructed to do so by their Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting.
Presentation
Recognition ceremonies should be simple, meaningful, and focused on the young people who earned the emblem.
Many dioceses and eparchies present religious emblems at a cathedral, parish church, Scout Award Mass, prayer service, or other Catholic Scouting celebration. The important thing is to make the presentation special and memorable for the Scout and family.
Please contact your Diocesan or Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting to learn when and where the next award ceremony will be held.
The religious emblem square knot may be presented at a court of honor or together with the emblem, according to local practice.
