Footsteps of American Saints
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting Activities Committee for the Boys Scouts of America is proud to announce a patch activity called the "Footsteps of American Saints". The Footsteps of American Saints Activity program is a religious activity program that encourages youth to learn about several individuals that have shaped the landscape of Catholicism in America. The goal of this activity is to share the lives of several Saints so that the youth might relate to what these people have done and maybe look to these individuals as role models.
This religious activity honors those men and women who led heroic lives of faith. Their words, their deeds, and their devotion to prayer and to the sacraments, inspire all American Catholics. In the church calendar for the United States, some have the rank of "Saint" and are venerated by the universal church. Some have the rank of "Blessed" and are venerated by the local church. Some have the rank of "Venerable" and, while on the way to becoming a "Saint", may be venerated by Catholics. Most of these men and women lived and worked in North America in what is now the United States. Some others never set foot in America, however they had a huge impact on the Catholic American landscape. All of them sought to follow Jesus.
These patches are available from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Ordering information is on the brochure for each patch. Please order from NCCS directly.
Girl Scouts and Campfire USA participants can earn and wear these patches as well. These patches are considered "temporary" patches and could only be worn as such, usually on the back of a vest or sash.
- Damien of Molokai
- Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Frank Parater
- Fulton Sheen
- George of Lydda
- Isaac Jogues
- John Newman
- Juan Diego
- Junipero Serra
- Kateri Tekakwitha
- Katharine Drexel
- Michael McGivney
- Miguel Pro
- Oscar Romero
- Pierre Toussaint
- Solanus Casey
Follow this link to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website to download brochures with program requirements.
Rosary Patch Series
The Rosary Patch Series is a religious activity patch award program that focuses on the different Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and How to Pray the Rosary as a means for youth and adults alike to learn more about the Catholic faith. Youth and Adults can earn the patches. There are 5 patches in the series and these programs can be done individually or as a group. The 5 patches in the Rosary Patch Series are:
- Joyful Mysteries Patch
- Sorrowful Mysteries Patch
- Luminous Mysteries Patch
- Glorious Mysteries Patch
- Pray the Rosary Patch
Each Patch has unique requirements for different age groups and these requirements are printed on the links to the flyers for each patch in the list above. Adult leaders verify the correctness of answers and purchase the patches directly from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Ordering information is on the brochure for each patch.
Follow this link to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website to download brochures with program requirements.
Girl Scouts and Campfire USA participants can earn and wear these patches as well. These patches are considered "temporary" patches and could only be worn as such, usually on the back of a vest or sash.
International Series
The International Series is designed to help Cub, Scouts/Venturing, Scouters learn more about how the Catholic faith is a universal faith that is practiced around the world. To participate in this award program, please see the requirements on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting webpage.
- International Catholic Awareness
- Laudato Si
- Jacques Sevin
Details are posted on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website here.
Duty to God Patch
"Duty to God" is a phrase Scouting has strongly endorsed. These words reaffirm our commitment to the important precepts of Scouting - the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. The twelfth point of the Scout Law is, "A Scout is Reverent." As the Catholic Church continues to develop its apostolate to youth, it recognizes Scouting as an important part of Youth Ministry.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a unique patch to commemorate the "Duty of God" initiative. The patch is not only colorful, but also beautifully fully embroidered, showing symbols of our Catholic roots -crosier, cross, shield, youth ministry commitment intertwined with the Boy Scout logo and the "Duty to God" pledge. This patch is something every youth member and Scouter would be proud to wear as the patch proclaims their involvement with this program. There are countless ways to use this patch to promote "Scouting as Youth Ministry." Diocesan and Unit Committees are not restricted by any national rules and may present the patch for many reasons. The following are suggestions as to who might be ideal recipients and wearers of this patch:
- Each youth starting on, working on, or completing a religious emblem.
- Each youth and adult member of a Pope Paul VI unit.
- Each youth and adult member completing a service project or attending a retreat event.
- Each youth and adult member of a National Gold Medallion Winner or Regional Finalist.
- Each youth participant in the St. George Trek.
- Each person contacted to start a new unit such as clergy, laypeople, Knights of Columbus members, etc.
- Each adult member completing a new phase of training.
- Units present their own clergy, youth ministers, formation directors and others involved in youth ministry.
- All religious emblems counselors and members of the Diocesan Committee.
There are many other possibilities of recipients, and they are limited only by your imagination. For more information, go to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting webpage.
Marian Series
The Marian Series gives Scouts the opportunity to learn more about Mary, Our Mother. Each of the links below is a specific patch award program available to all.
- Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Our Lady of Good Help
- Our Lady of Gaudalupe
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
- Our Lady of Sorrows
Details are posted on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website here.
Modern Saint Series
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting is developing a new patch series on modern people who have had an impact on the Church in the United States.
- Carlos Acutis
- Chiara Luce Badano
- Faustina Kowalska
- John Paul II
- Maximilian Kolbe
- Pier Giorgio Frassati
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Details are posted on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website here.
Faith Series
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has religious awards on various aspects of the Catholic Faith. New patches are being developed so check back frequently!
- Bishop, Shepherd of the Flock
- Corporal Works of Mercy
- Divine Mercy
- Eastern Catholic Awareness (new)
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Human Dignity (new)
- Spiritual Works of Mercy
Details are posted on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website here.