Ad Altare Dei  Back to Top

About the Emblem The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Boy Scouts of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth. Program Objectives        The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church.

Eligibility

       Registered Boy Scout of Catholic Faith.

       Designed for youth 13-14 years old, older boys may use this program.

       Active member of the Troop for 6 months.

       Completed 6th grade before starting the program.

Requirements

       Each Scout must have his own Activity Book. The book is designed for the youth to work on with the guidance of a counselor.

       The program is designed to be completed in 6-8 months.

       The use of a Catholic Bible is required for this program. You will need to have one to use.

       Regular participation in Sunday worship.

       Diocesan and BSA Youth Protection policies must be followed.

       Complete the requirements in the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual.

       Successfully complete an Ad Altare Dei Board of Review.

       A trained religious emblems coordinator/counselor/moderator is required to work on religious emblems. Contact your Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to become trained and for ceremony schedules.

Getting Started        Identify a counselor. Ask your Scoutmaster, pastor, parish administrator, director if religious education, any member of the troop committee, or Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting if there is a emblem counselor in your parish or area.        After you have selected your counselor, you must complete the application to begin working on the Emblem program. The application is in the Ad Altare Dei Emblem book. The approval application must be signed by the applicant, parent, counselor, Troop leader, and pastor.        Emblem Books may be obtained most economically and quickly from your local BSA Council Service Center Scout Shops. Alternatively, they can be obtained directly from BSA Supply at "http://www.scoutstuff.org" or through most Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Scout's Role

       Attend weekly meetings. Actively work on the activities.

       All journal entries, reports, and written work should be legible and neat.

       Work through the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual with your counselor using a Bible where appropriate.

       There are three parts to each step. When all parts of a step are completed, review the Emblem book with the counselor.

       Be prepared to share experiences at the Board of Review.

       Attend a retreat or Day of Recollection while working on the AAD program.

       Keep the Religious Emblems Coordinator informed of his progress.

 Program Completion

       After all sections have been completed, the counselor will contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to find out the schedule for the AAD Board of Review.

       The Scout will sit before the Board of Review.

       After Board of Review has been successfully completed, the counselor should contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting for further direction concerning presentation instructions.

       Scouts who earn this Religious Emblem are also entitled to wear a BSA Religious Knot over their left pocket. Please consult with your local Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to determine how knots are presented in your area. If they are not presented with the Religious Emblems, then they can be purchased at your local BSA Council Service Center Scout Shop with proof that the scout received the emblem.

       Candidates and counselor are asked to complete the paper or on-line survey to give us feedback about the program.