About the Emblem
The purpose of the Light of Christ emblem program is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents’ active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and friend.
Program Objectives
- To support the role of the parents as the primary catechists of their children
- To have the Scout identify Jesus as a real person and as a friend
- To foster early family religious involvement
- To be a stepping stone toward Parvuli Dei and the other Religious Emblems, when the parents are involved
- To serve as a catalyst to draw the parents into a deeper involvement with the Church, through the child
Eligibility
Registered 6 or 7-year-old (Tiger or Wolf) Cub Scout who is Catholic
Requirements
- Each Cub should have his/her own Light of Christ Activity Book (Publication Date 2003)
- The book is designed for the Cub and his/her parent or guardian to work on together
- Diocesan/eparchial safe environment and BSA Youth Protection policies must be followed
Getting Started
- The Light of Christ Activity Book, which contains activities in both English and Spanish, may be obtained from the BSA Scout Shop or from the NCCS Online Store.
- Although the book could be completed in four to six hours, the goal of earning the Light of Christ Religious Emblem is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus, so it is suggested that steps be spread over several weeks. This will help the Cub understand that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-time project.
Scout’s Role
- Actively work on the activities in the Light of Christ Activity Book with his/her parents or guardians
Parent’s Role
- Actively work on the activities in the Light of Christ Activity Book with their Cub
- Help their Cub with Bible readings and researching information
- Keep the Religious Emblems Coordinator informed of the Cub’s progress
- Utilize the Parent Guide
Program Completion
- When the Cub completes all steps, he/she is to present the Light of Christ Activity Book to his/her pastor or the pastor’s representative and the book is reviewed with the Cub.
- After the pastor or his representative signs the Light of Christ Activity Book and the application form included in the Light of Christ Activity Book, the application form only is sent to your Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting Chaplain for final approval.
- Contact your Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting Chaplain for further instructions on how to obtain the Religious Emblem. The Chaplain will order the Religious Emblem and let you know the details about its presentation.
- Scouts who earn this Religious Emblem are also entitled to wear a BSA Religious Knot over their left pocket. Please consult with your Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting to determine how knots are presented in your area. If the BSA Religious Knot is 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.
Ordering of Emblems
Each diocese/eparchy has one or two individuals who are designated to purchase Religious Emblems. Only these NCCS authorized submitters are allowed to order Religious Emblems for their diocese/eparchy.
Presentation
- The first rule in preparing recognition ceremonies is to keep them simple but impressive. The second is to remember that the ceremony is for the young people who earned the Religious Emblem. Many dioceses present their Religious Emblems in their cathedral, either in the context of a liturgy or a prayer service. The key is to make it special and memorable. View the Religious Emblems Reference Manual for presentation information to share with your Diocese.
- Please consult with your Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting to determine when and where the next award ceremony will be held.
- The Religious Knot should be presented at a Pack Meeting. However, it can be presented along with the Religious Emblem.