Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday has historically fallen on the first Sunday before Scouting Anniversary day (February 8), but units and chartered organizations are free to schedule Scout Sunday on any Sunday in February.

The BSA says a local church may celebrate “on the Sunday most acceptable to the pastor and congregation.” So check with your chartered organization representative or faith leader before making your Scout Sunday plans.

Religious Awards

Light of Christ (1st – 2nd)
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.  Learn more

Parvuli Dei (3rd – 4th)
The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem program is to help Cub Scouts explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to their family, pack and community.  Learn more

Ad Altare Dei
The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) emblem program is to help Scouts of the Roman Catholic Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.  Learn more

Light is Life
The purpose of the Light is Life emblem program is to help Scouts of the Eastern Catholic Rites develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. Light is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various Eastern Rite Catholic Churches. The Light is Life program is to be used by Eastern-rite Catholic Scouts instead of the Ad Altare Dei program. It is not appropriate to work on both programs.  Learn more

Pope Pius XII
The purpose of the Pope Pius XII emblem program is to help Scouts explore vocations (single, married, religious, ordained) and ministries in the Church as calls from God. It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the Church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pope Pius XII retreat or day of recollection.  Learn more

Religious Activities

Scout Sunday

Scout Sunday has historically fallen on the first Sunday before Scouting Anniversary day (February 8), but units and chartered organizations are free to schedule Scout Sunday on any Sunday in February.

The BSA says a local church may celebrate “on the Sunday most acceptable to the pastor and congregation.” So check with your chartered organization representative or faith leader before making your Scout Sunday plans.

Religious Programs

The North American Hindu Association offers two sets of awards: the Dharma awards and the Karma awards. Both are non-sectarian, non-denominational Hindu religious awards. You do not have to belong to any group or a temple.

Each allows Hindu children to learn the fundamentals of Hinduism and gives parents an opportunity to participate.

Both sets of awards are approved for use by Scouting America. Hindu children and parents who are not involved with scouting programs are also welcome and encouraged to participate in these awards.

Dharma Series (Webelos and Arrows of Light)
An introduction to the basic tenants of Hinduism, this program is suitable for ages up to 13, though this is just a guideline and not a strict rule.  Dharma Series Overview

Scout Jumuah

Scout Jumuah offers a chance to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting within the Muslim community. A unit may conduct a Scout Jumuah progarm on any date in February to best meet their needs.

A Scout Jumuah program might include recognition by the chartered organization representative, a service project or a display (a model campsite, perhaps?) that explains the benefits of Scouting.

Religious Emblems

Bismillah Emblem for Cub Scouts: The National Islamic Committee on Scouting has developed the Bismillah emblem to encourage Muslim youths who are in Cub Scouts to advance in the knowledge and practice of Islamic religious living. Muslims start any saying with “In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful”. So, since Cub Scouting is the beginning program of the BSA, when a boy learns something in this field he should be awarded the “Bismillah Emblem” first. In earning this emblem, boys will learn all the basic things he should know (at the age) about the religion of Islam. The pendant is attached to a bronze bar pin that carries the Arabic lettering from the Holy Book of Qur’an. Any Cub Scout can earn the Bismillah emblem if he is registered with a Cub Scout pack and practicing Muslim faith. However, by the time he receives the emblem; he should have achieved the Bear rank or have earned at least five Webelos activity badges. He must be registered in Cub Scouting for at least six months. He must attend religious school and practice the Islamic Law and fulfill his obligation.  Click to download the pamphlet: Bismillah Emblem

In the Name of God Emblem: The National Islamic Committee on Scouting has developed the In the Name of God emblem to encourage Muslim youths who are in Boy Scouts to advance in the knowledge and practice of Islamic religious living. Any Boy Scout can earn the In the Name of God emblem if he is registered with a Boy Scout Troop and practicing Muslim faith. However, by the time he receives the emblem; he should have achieved the Second Class rank. He must be registered in Boy Scouting for at least six months. He must attend religious school and practice the Islamic Law and fulfill his obligation. Click to download the pamphlet: In the Name of God

Allahu Akber Emblem for Adult Leaders: The National Islamic Committee on Scouting established the “Allahu Akber” (God is Great) Award to recognize outstanding service by adults in the promotion of Scouting among Muslim youth. Recommendations for the award may be made by Imams of the Mosques, directors of Muslim centers, presidents of Muslim organizations, or Boy Scout councils to the national Islamic committee on Scouting. If approved, the name of the nominee should be submitted for ratification to the Islamic Council on Scouting of North America. In case there is no local Islamic Committee on scouting, an ad hoc committee consisting of the local scouting executive, local Imam or director of the Muslim center, will serve as the awards committee and would forward its approval to the Islamic council on Scouting of North America. Click to download the pamphlet: Allahu Akber

Francis Parater
Eagle Scout, Class of 1915, Richmond Council, Troop 40
Patron Saint of the Scouts of the Heart of Virginia Council

Francis Joseph Parater was born on October 10th, 1897 in Richmond, VA to Captain Francis Joseph Parater Sr. and Mary Raymond. He attended Xaverian Brother’s School and Benedictine High School. In 1913, Parater became one of the first Scouts in what was then known as the Greater Richmond Council and we know of now as the Heart of Virginia Council. He was a member of Troop 40 chartered by St. John’s Episcopal Church. Parater is described as a Scout of Scouts. He loved the outdoors and was a respected leader in his Troop. Parater was a young man with strong ideals and work ethic who lived his life by the Scout Law and Oath. He wrote many letters and articles about what it meant to be a Scout and the duty of a Scout. Parater even had his own Rule of Life that he lived by:

Be large minded. Don’t be a bluffer. Be frank, but be gentle. Love the poor. Make every minute count. Strive to be a man of your ideals. Let your charity be unbounded. Don’t be disheartened at failures.

Working his way through the ranks and requirements, he reached the goal of Eagle Scout in 1915. His commitment to Scouting did not end when he reached Eagle. He became an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 40 and was the Assistant Director at Richmond Scout Camp in 1915, Camp Director at Camp Ackerman, Newark, NJ in 1916 and 1917 at Camp Allamuchy, Stanhope, NJ and Secretary of Camp Lee, VA in 1918. Parater graduated from Benedictine in 1916 and was the class Valedictorian.

Frank Parater was also strong in faith and felt a strong call to religious life. In 1917, Parater attended Belmont Abbey Seminary in North Carolina. During his time at Belmont, he decided to become a diocesan priest and after finishing his studies hoped to come back to the Richmond diocese to serve and help those of the community he grew up in. Because he showed such promise and commitment, he was sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome to finish his religious studies in November 1919. Parater never got to fulfill his dream of becoming a priest as he passed away shortly after his arrival in Rome on February 7th, 1920 at just 22 years old from rheumatic fever.

Shortly after his death, his fellow seminarians found, in his belongings, an Act of Oblation to the Sacred Heart which he had written a year before his passing. In it, Parater wrote, “I shall be of more service to my diocese in Heaven than I can ever be on earth.” Pope Benedict XV and Pope Pius XI both had requested a copy of Parater’s Act of Oblation which was also published in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano and the Richmond Newspaper. In addition to his written commitment showing his devotion to God and the Catholic Church, Frank Parater also left behind a letter written, just before his death, to his fellow Scouts in Virginia. “….And now old scouts, I must say “so long for a time.” But occasionally think of your old friend and camp director and when the time comes for you to hit the trail for home, I’ll promise to welcome you to the camp-fire of eternal life. God’s blessing be with you all.”

In January of 2002, Bishop of Richmond, Walter Francis Sullivan issued a decree to establish a tribunal to examine the possibility of Sainthood for Francis Joseph Parater. Bishop of Sullivan wrote in his decree, “Frank Parater serves as a model for people of every age and walk of life. His example of service and total dedication to God, even at a young age, serves as an inspiration of wholehearted service for one’s neighbor.”

Frank Parater exemplifies all the best that Scouting has to offer. He was what they called back then a “four ply-scout”, one who excelled in the four pillars of Scouting: citizenship, character, personal fitness and leadership. Frank Parater’s path to Sainthood is still uncertain, but it is definitely certain that the Scouts of the Heart of Virginia Council have their own Patron Saint.