Nearly 140 Boy Scouts were recognized for devotion to faith recently when they were presented with their Religious Emblems during a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik, pastor, was assisted by Deacon Wayne Rescati, assistant chaplain for the Catholic Committee on Scouting, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. One hundred Boy Scouts were presented with the Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem and 36 youth received their Pope Pius XII Religious Emblem. Fifteen scouts received the newly created Chi Ro Award, a patch that honors them for having earned all four Religious Emblems available to Boy Scouts.

Committee officials pointed out that the Scout Law includes the phrase, "A Scout is Reverent," adding that every time a Boy Scout takes the Scout Oath, he promises to do his duty to God.

"The committee was impressed by not only the number of the youth, but the quality of their witness of our Sacred Faith," said Kurt Stenzel, religious activities chair for the Catholic Committee on Scouting. "Their faith witness confirms our work and spurs us on to further efforts."