Ad Altare Dei
Ad Altare Dei
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General
General
The Ad Altare Dei (To the Altar of God) emblem helps Catholic Scouts develop a fully Christian way of life within the faith community. The program is organized around the seven sacraments, which are central to Catholic life and a primary means of spiritual growth.
In 2026, Catholic Scouting America celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem. The emblem was first awarded to Scouts on February 7, 1926, by the Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego. The program was created to support the spiritual development of Scouts and quickly became an important part of Catholic Scouting. On December 14, 1939, the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America approved the wearing of the Ad Altare Dei emblem on the Scout uniform, making it the first award of its kind in Scouting.
Requirements for Youth
Requirements for Youth
The eligibility requirements for the Ad Altare Dei emblem are:
Baptized into the Catholic faith
Registered member of the Boy Scouts of America — in a Boy Scout troop, Venturing crew, Sea Scout ship, or Varsity team
Registered in their unit for at least 6 months
Completed the sixth grade
A few additional notes:
The program content is designed for 13 to 14 year olds, and typically takes about 6–8 months to complete.
Youth over 14 may still complete AAD, but the Pope Pius XII emblem is recommended instead (designed for ages 15+).
Adults (18+ in a troop/team, or 21+ in a crew/ship) are not eligible to work on or receive this emblem.
Scouts of the Eastern Catholic Churches are encouraged to pursue the Light is Life emblem instead, which serves a similar purpose within their own ritual traditions.
To begin, the Scout also needs:
A Religious Emblems Counselor
A completed Application to Begin Working on the Ad Altare Dei Emblem, with signatures from the applicant, parent/guardian, counselor, unit leader, and pastor — all obtained before starting work on the emblem.
An Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual
A Catholic Bible (New American version recommended).
The program itself is completed with an "AAD Group" (the Scout, parents, and counselor) working through 8 chapters covering the seven sacraments, plus attendance at a retreat or day of recollection, culminating in a Board of Review before the emblem is presented.
Requirements for Instructors
Requirements for Instructors
Approval & Registration
Approval & Registration
Approved in advance by your pastor and the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting
Registered member of Scouting America with current registration
Current Scouting America Safeguarding Youth Training certificate
Certificate of Virtus training and background check, per the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (2002)
Scouter Development and Counselor Training — recommended, and may be required depending on your diocese
Practical/Administrative Notes
Practical/Administrative Notes
Must complete the Arch/Diocesan Notification of Intent to Begin an Ad Altare Dei Program form (the pink form at the front of the Counselors Guide), which requires your pastor's signature certifying parish membership and no objection to you functioning as a youth minister.
Must follow all Diocesan and BSA Youth Protection policies without exception.
Cannot review your own Scout at the Board of Review — an outside adult and youth panel handles that.
Required Materials
Required Materials
Course Materials can be obtained from the National Catholic committee on Scouting Online Store.
Getting Your Award
Getting Your Award
Complete the program requirements — working through all eight chapters of the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual with an approved Counselor and AAD Group.
Complete the Application for Review and Presentation, certifying that all requirements have been fulfilled. Inside cover of the Youth Manual.
Pass a Board of Review, where the Scout presents credentials and records and is reviewed on the program requirements. Board of review is arranged by the CCS
Submit the application to the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (CCS) for approval and recording.
Receive the emblem at the Catholic Awards Mass, typically held in April.
Wearing the Award
Wearing the Award
The medal/emblem itself:
A bronze cross suspended from a ribbon
The ribbon is in the papal colors of yellow and white, with a fine red, white, and blue stripe down the center
A bronze bar pin surmounts the top of the ribbon, inscribed "Ad Altare Dei"
It may be worn on the left breast pocket of the Scout uniform shirt
Earned as a youth, embroidered square knot — a cloth, silver knot on a purple background may be worn over the left shirt pocket.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources
This site contains resources for the program split into 12 sessions.
Regional Classes and Contacts (updates coming soon)
Regional Classes and Contacts (updates coming soon)
Religious Emblem Scout Interest
Religious Emblems Adult Interest in Forming a Class
Classes Forming:
Classes Forming:
AAD class with _______________
AAD class with _______________
AAD class with _______________
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