CHICAGO (OSV News) — Eight finalists have been chosen from 46 nominees for the Catholic Extension Society’s 2026-2027 Lumen Christi Award, the Chicago-based organization’s highest honor.
Since 1978, the award has been presented annually to people “who radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve.”
The finalists include the leader of a Montana summer camp that helps teens find their place in the Catholic Church; a Texas business man and deacon who has a radio ministry to long-haul truck drivers; a registered nurse, wife and mother in Louisiana who works additional hours at her day job to fund Black Catholic youth ministry; and an Oregon parishioner who “is always the first to step forward to support her friends and neighbors.”
Each year, bishops are asked to nominate one individual, group or institution from their diocese for the award. Collectively, their stories of spiritual care, compassionate service, and compelling self-sacrifice for others showcase the mission of the U.S. Church, Catholic Extension said.
Honoring the light of Christ in ‘outstanding missionaries’
“One of the beautiful experiences of Catholic Extension Society is honoring the Lumen Christi — the light of Christ — seen in some of the most outstanding missionaries that we have throughout our country,” Father Jack Wall, Extension’s president, said in an Aug. 25 statement announcing the finalists.
“We are so very proud of all of them, offer them congratulations, and a great, big hearted thank you for all they are doing to bring the light of Christ to America,” he added.
The finalists, with a description of their ministry from their nomination, are:
— Barbara Comer, Diocese of Baker, Oregon: A parishioner at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in John Day, Comer is known for selfless service, leading the rosary, helping at the senior center and Meals on Wheels, and supporting friends and neighbors in need even beyond the parish. A fellow parishioner called her an “angel in disguise,” recalling how, “without hesitation,” she took a friend to the emergency room at 4 a.m. and remained at her side.
— Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas, Diocese of El Paso, Texas: Inspired by a 1988 retreat at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, the priest founded the Tepeyac Institute to form lay leaders in the Diocese of El Paso. Over 83,000 Catholics have since been trained to “to?help build the Church.” Two parishes where the now-retired priest served as pastor have themselves seen dozens of distinct take root through the training.
— Lori Purpura, Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Montana: Purpura leads St. Thomas Camp, offering youth across the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings a faith-filled Catholic experience. She ensures accessibility, providing $12,000-$15,000 annually in scholarships so no child is excluded, especially those from rural and underserved areas.
— Bridgette Mouton, Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana: A nurse and mother, Mouton sacrifices personally to fund Black youth ministry and retreats, helping young people embrace the Catholic faith, serve others, strengthen their community, and sustain the Church.
— Deacon Enrique Peñúñuri, Diocese of Laredo, Texas: For more than 25 years, Deacon Peñúñuri has brought Christ’s compassion to prisoners, detainees and truck drivers, serving thousands through prison and radio ministries while remaining faithfully “on call” to God’s people.
— Mother Marla Marie Lucas, Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, New York: In 2008, Mother Marla Marie founded the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, forming, serving and strengthening Lebanese American Catholics across 16 states. Previously to founding the order, the former journalist at The Washington Post was a religious sister with Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, a community she entered in December 1983, making her first vows in 1986 and final vows in 1993.
— Martin Noriega, Diocese of Savannah, Georgia: A former DJ, Noriega has led the John XXIII Movement in Savannah for 18 years, reaching 5,000 people, hosting 100-plus retreats, forming lay ministers, and expanding evangelization beyond the diocese.
— Cristina Hernandez, Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio: Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call to care for displaced children, Hernandez supports immigrant families in Ohio, bringing therapists to aid traumatized children and mothers while providing steadfast accompaniment during hardship.
Each finalist will receive $15,000 to support their ministry. The Lumen Christi Award recipient will ultimately be selected from among the finalists and be given a $100,000 award, split between the honoree and their nominating diocese. The recipient will be announced this fall.
The mission of Catholic Extension Society, founded in 1905, is to build up the Catholic faith communities in underserved regions of the U.S., including offshore U.S. territories.
