Scouts can engage in the ever-popular Religious Activities in the Heritage Series, which includes some of our longest-standing activities as well as activities that honor holy men and women to which many American Catholics share a special devotion.
Eligibility
All young people and adults—Scouts or non-Scouts, Catholic or non-Catholic—can work on the activities in this series and earn a patch for each activity they complete. The activities in this series can be worked on individually or as a group.
Activity Requirements
Young people must fulfill the requirements for their grade level to complete this activity. Adults must fulfill the adult requirements to complete this activity.
Completion of the Activity
After a young person completes the requirements, a parent, guardian or Scout leader will review the Scout’s work to confirm accuracy and understanding. Then, the parent, guardian or Scout leader will order the patch from the NCCS Online Store. Detailed documentation of fulfillment of activity requirements does not need to be sent to NCCS.
Presentation of the Patch
Patches can be presented to those who earned them in a formal Awards Mass, Scout meeting, by family members, etc. The key is to make the presentation special, so young people understand why they have earned this patch. Also, the presentation should be done in a timely manner so young people are recognized shortly after completing the activity.
Choose an activity below to see more information about each activity.
Would you be happy being a door keeper? Saint Andre Bessette was and used his position to minister to God’s people. This simple religious brother had a special devotion to Saint Joseph and had a gift as a healer.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Did you know that Puerto Rico will have its first canonized Saint when another miracle is attributed to Carlos Rodriguez. He was a lay member of his church and served in many capacities to help further the liturgical movement in Puerto Rico. Learn more about his volunteer ministries and how you can emulate him.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Patron Saint of immigrants and orphans is how Frances Xavier Cabrini is known. Born in Italy, she was asked by Pope Leo XIII, to come to the United States to work among the Italian immigrants. She followed his request and opened schools, hospitals and orphanages in the US.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Why would a Spaniard who lived in the 1100’s be a Patron Saint for the United States? Isidore was a farmer who had deep religious instincts. He worked tirelessly as a laborer in the fields and spoke with God as he worked. So, since many of the United States original settlers were farmers, Saint Isidore the farmer is the patron saint of United States National Rural Life Conference.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
The goal of this activity is to learn about and share the lives the Martyrs of Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Youth and adults will learn how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit can help them to “take up the cross daily.”
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Saint Marianne Cope is the patron saint of lepers, outcasts, and those with HIV/AIDs. Mother Marianne Cope loved God and willingly followed His call to serve people who were outcasts because they had leprosy, an incurable disease at the time.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Many people don’t want to take that first step into the unknown. That was the case for Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. She was quite content to be a housekeeper for her brother who was a priest – but God wanted something different. She finally listened and started a community of Sisters to educate children.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Can you imagine leaving your home in France, sailing across the Atlantic, taking a small boat on rivers to the interior of the country; then take a horse and buggy for four days to find a cabin in the woods that would become your home? Mother Theodore and her five companions did just that in order to help bring God’s message of love to children of settlers.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Did you know that there used to be two feasts to honor the Sorrowful Mother. One was celebrated on the Friday before Palm Sunday and the other in September. Pope Pius X combined both feasts on September 15th. This feast remembers that Mary suffered seven sorrows as being the Mother of Jesus. The ultimate sorrow she suffered was the death of her Son on the cross.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
Saint Peter Claver was a Jesuit priest who ministered to enslaved people arriving in what is now Colombia on ships from Africa. He showed the enslaved people love and mercy, providing them food and medicine.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch
A pioneer, an educator and a vowed religious, is how Rose Philippine Duchesne is remembered. She traveled from France, to New Orleans and finally to the St. Louis area where she opened schools and boarding houses for local children. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is still alive in those whose lives she touched.
Download a PDF with information about how to earn this Religious Activity patch