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The Lumen Gentium Awards were inaugurated in 2004 by Bishop Gregory M. Aymond as a way to recognize Catholics who exemplified the spirit of the Vatican II docoument Lumen Gentium. Initially bestowed each year, in 2013 Bishop Joe S. Vásquez decreed that the awards be given every other year.
Criteria
Lay individuals, paid or volunteer, who exemplify the spirit of Christ as explained by the documents of the Second Vatican Council. (“You are the light of the world… your light must shine in the sight of all, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.” Mt. 5:14, 16) The lay person should be someone who lives his or her baptismal call in an extraordinary way through stewardship and leadership. This may include service in direct parish ministry, but can also include Christian service to the greater community. To quote from “The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium):” “The laity, however, are given this special vocation: to make the Church present and fruitful in those places and circumstances where it is only through them that she can become the salt of the earth.”
Only one individual should be nominated per parish, and he or she must be a lay person (not a priest or deacon). The only exception to this is a married couple may be nominated. If married, the nominee/s, whether nominated individually or as a couple, must be in a valid Catholic marriage; and live a life of active faith in the Catholic Church.
Nominations Process
Each pastor will have the opportunity to select one individual each year. It is left to the discretion of the pastor to determine the process within his parish: i.e., he could make the selection, ask the pastoral council for suggestions, etc. Nominations are submitted through an online form.
Awards Ceremony
Honorees will be recognized by the bishop. Honorees will receive a memento and a photo with the bishop and be recognized in the Catholic Spirit. Parishes are encouraged to provide additional recognition at a parish liturgy or event.