About The Emblem:

Eligibility:

To be eligible to receive the Ad Altare Dei, the Boy Scout must be of the Catholic faith, must attend Mass regularly, must have received some form of formal Catholic religious education, must have completed the sixth grade and been an active member of a Boy Scout Troop for at least six months.

The applicant, his parents or guardian, his Scout Master or other Troop adult leader, his pastor and his Ad Altare Dei Counselor must sign the application found in the Ad Altare Dei workbook indicating the Scout meets these requirements before any work on

the Award begins.

The Program:

The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth. The program is designed to be completed in 6-8 months when conducted in weekly sessions of about one hour each.

Only counselors trained by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouts may present the program. You must have a counselor trained by the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting lead this training.  If you are a trained counselor, you MUST fill out this form and receive permission to offer sessions from the Catholic Committee Chairperson BEFORE your first session. 

During the program the Scout will be asked to refer to a Catholic Bible, participate in group discussions and undertake various activities designed to put the lessons of the Sacraments into action.  Upon completion of the program the candidate for the Ad Altare Dei must complete a Board of Review.  The Program can be completed in two weekend retreats conducted by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouts. 

Annual  Ad Altare Dei Program

The Ad Altare Dei Program will be conducted on two weekends (with a break between):

Participants must attend BOTH weekends.

1)      September 24 & 25 :  Location: St. Augustine of Canterbury (1910 W. Belle St, Belleville, IL, 62226)  8am through Mass on Saturday, 8am to 3:30pm on Sunday.

2)      November 5 & 6:  Location:  Our Lady Queen of Peace (corner of Frank Scott Parkway and North Belt West;   5923 N. Belt West, Belleville, IL 62223)  8am through 3:30 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Cost:    $25 – Includes book, materials, snacks, lunch (all days)

Dress for the weather, Class A (and B under).

RSVP  BY    SEP 17^th (Ad Altare Dei Program) or OCT 22 (Cub Scout Programs) to:

                618-541-8030    OR            greenshirtim@yahoo.com  (preferred)

PARTICIPATION IN A SERVICE PROJECT IS ALSO REQUIRED

SCOUTS MUST ATTEND ALL SESSIONS TO EARN THE AD ALTARE DEI AWARD

Requirements:

You must have a counselor trained by the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting lead this training.  If you are a trained counselor, you MUST fill out this form and receive permission to offer sessions from the Catholic Committee Chairperson BEFORE your first session. 

Ad Altare Dei Workbooks:

Each Boy Scout must use an official Ad Altare Dei workbook.  These are available from the local Boy Scout Shop.  You may check the Suggested Links tab for shops in our local area.  Scouts attending the Ad Altare Dei retreats offered by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting will receive a workbook as part of the program materials.

Cost:

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouts does not charge for the Ad Altare Dei medal or the BSA religious knot patch the

Scout will receive. The Committee is able to provide these free to the Scouts through donations it receives. 

Presentation of Award:

The BSA religious knot patch will be mailed to the pastor of the Scout’s local parish in late January.  The pastor will be asked to

present the knot to the Scout on Scout Sunday or some other Mass so that the Scout will be recognized by his parish for his work

on this religious award.  Actual practices may vary depending upon the pastor. 

Counselor Attributes:

1. INTERESTED in youth and ready to be generous with time in helping others.

Able to UNDERSTAND the Scout's development process and therefore able to ACCEPT them at their level
2. OPEN enough to listen to youth to permit them to initiate, decide, try, and even fail, of their own accord.

One who is not judgmental, but respectful of their feelings and views.
3. FLEXIBLE AND CREATIVE enough to be open to changes, who can adapt and understand rapid

and continuous modification of youth ideas, modes, and cultures.
4. LIKABLE and acceptable by the youth. Not a stick in the mud!
5. Has a sensor of HUMOR, enjoys life, and can laugh at themselves and with others, especially youth.
6. KNOWLEDGEABLE, understands, and agrees with all of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
7. COMMUNICATE by relating the teachings of the Catholic Church to youth. Should be able to both

speak and listen. Should also have the ability to get others to talk.
8. SPIRITUALLY firm in their faith life and had the ability to share their faith openly and easily with youth.

Also be able to demonstrate, through their actions, the importance of their faith life to youth.
9. SENSITIVE to the youth's family situation and his personal life, particularly in regards to the teachings of

the Church.
10. OBSERVANT to interpret the signals youth project about their feelings on their faith and other issues.

Counselor's Role:

- Use the AAD Counselor Guide.
- Counsel the participants when required, and in general facilitate (keep moving and on track) the general discussion.
- Hold weekly meetings lasting 60-90 minutes.
- Guide the Scout through the religious emblems program by:

Scout's Role:

- Attend weekly meetings. If a Scout misses more than 2 meetings, it should be determined if the Scout should continue with the program.
- Work through the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual with your counselor using a Bible where appropriate.
- Be prepared to share experiences at the Board of Review.
- Attend a retreat or Day of Recollection while working on the AAD program.

Parent's Role:

- Support the Religious Emblems Counselor in his/her role.

- Support your son as he shares lessons with the family.