2024-2025 Lumen Christi Award finalists

The Lumen Christi Award is Catholic Extension Society’s highest honor given to people who radiate and reveal the light of Christ present in the communities where they serve.

This year, 37 dioceses submitted nominations for the award. These nominees have dedicated themselves to making positive change in an amazing variety of ways all across our country. Seven of the 37 nominees were chosen as award finalists and received $10,000 to support and enhance their ministry.

We are pleased to announce that Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, from the Diocese of Knoxville, has been named the recipient of this years award. Read her story here!

This year’s finalists represent the good work of the Catholic Church in action. They confront the challenging realities faced by the people they serve—youth searching for the right path in life, prisoners seeking a ray of hope and families struggling simply to eat and live in safety. These finalists bring about confidence, joy and faith within the communities they encounter, recognizing the face of Christ within each soul they touch.

Below are the inspiring stories of the 2024-2025 finalists for the Lumen Christi Award: