Pope Pius XII

Requirements

• • The Pope Pius XII emblem is for Catholic young people who are registered in Scouts BSA, Venturing, or Sea Scouts.

  • The program is designed especially for young people who are 15 or 16 years old. Registered Venturers and Sea Scouts may participate before their 21st birthday. Registered Scouts BSA members may participate while in high school and before their 18th birthday.

  • Each participant must have their own Pope Pius XII Participant Manual. 

  • A trained religious emblems facilitator is required for this program.

    • The program should be led by the participants themselves. An approved adult facilitator accompanies the group, helps keep discussions focused, and ensures that program requirements are completed.

  • All diocesan safe environment requirements and Scouting America Youth Protection policies must be followed.

The ideal group size is four to twelve participants, although the program may be completed with smaller groups when necessary.

The program includes:

• • Group discussions

  • Personal reflection

  • Interviews

  • An investigation of a current issue facing the Church or society

  • A ministry service project

  • A spiritual formation experience, such as a day of reflection, day of recollection, or other approved experience connected to the program

  • A final review conversation

The program is usually completed in nine to twelve sessions. Two-hour sessions often work well for this age group, but flexibility may be needed because of participants’ schedules, interviews, service work, and group discussion.

Roles

Participant’s Role

• Attend all scheduled sessions

• Actively take part in group discussions

• Complete all interviews, activities, reflections, and written work

• Help lead the program with the other participants

• Complete the ministry service project

• Take part in the required spiritual formation experience

• Keep the unit Religious Emblems Coordinator informed of their progress, if applicable

• Be prepared to share what they have learned during the final review conversation

• Written work should be legible, thoughtful, and completed with care.

Facilitator’s Role

The facilitator accompanies participants through the Pope Pius XII program. The facilitator is not the group leader in the ordinary sense. The program is meant to be youth-led. The facilitator helps form the group, keeps the process moving, supports discussion, and helps participants focus on the essential questions of vocation, ministry, service, and Catholic life.

Facilitators for the Pope Pius XII emblem should be approved in advance by their pastor and by the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

The Pope Pius XII Facilitator Manual is an essential resource for this program. Facilitator manuals are available only from the Catholic Scouting America/NCCS Online Store.

All facilitators must have current Scouting America Youth Protection Training and meet diocesan safe environment requirements.

Facilitators should:

• • Form the group

  • Help participants understand the purpose and structure of the program

  • Support youth-led discussion

  • Keep sessions focused and on track

  • Help each participant focus on essential elements and important issues

  • Ensure that interviews, activities, the issue investigation, and the ministry service project are completed 

  • Keep the unit Religious Emblems Coordinator informed of each participant’s progress, if applicable

  • Follow all Scouting America Youth Protection and diocesan or eparchial safe environment requirements for in-person and virtual meetings

Presentation

Pope Pius XII awards are presented at the Diocesan Awards mass, traditionally at the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.

Recognition ceremonies should be simple, meaningful, and focused on the young people who earned the emblem.

Please contact your Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to learn when and where the next award ceremony will be held.

Regional Classes and Contacts (updates coming soon)

PPXII class with Joe Walberg

PPXII class with _______________