Lumen Christi Award Winner
El Paso Priest Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas Wins Prestigious Lumen Christi Award
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Key Points
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The Lumen Christi Award, established in 1978, is Catholic Extension Society’s highest honor and recognizes people who “radiate and reveal the light of Christ in the communities they serve.”
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Bañuelas was selected from eight finalists, who were chosen from 46 nominees; bishops nominate one person, group or institution from their diocese each year.
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At a ceremony planned for Nov. 3, Bañuelas will receive $100,000 to be divided between his ongoing ministry and the Diocese of El Paso; the other finalists will receive $15,000 apiece.
Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas, an El Paso priest who has spent five decades forming lay leaders in the Catholic church, won the Catholic Extension Society's 2026–27 Lumen Christi Award. The honor recognizes people who "radiate and reveal the light of Christ in the communities they serve." Bañuelas will receive $100,000 to split between his ministry and the Diocese of El Paso at a ceremony on November 3.
Over his 50 years of work, Bañuelas has trained roughly 80,000 lay leaders through programs like the Tepeyac Institute. He was chosen from eight finalists selected from 46 nominees across the country. Bishops nominate one person, group, or institution from their diocese each year for the award, which has been given since 1978.
A Half-Century of Church Leadership Training
Msgr. Bañuelas has shaped the El Paso Catholic community for 50 years by developing lay leaders—ordinary Catholics who take on ministry roles. The Florida Catholic reports that his work through the Tepeyac Institute and other programs trained about 80,000 people to lead in their parishes and neighborhoods. This kind of grassroots leadership strengthens churches when priests are stretched thin across large areas.
The Lumen Christi Award's Selective Process
Only eight finalists compete for the Lumen Christi Award each year. Catholic Extension Society selects these eight from 46 nominees submitted by bishops nationwide. The winner receives $100,000, while the seven runners-up each get $15,000. The award, created in 1978, is the organization's highest honor and focuses on leaders who serve poor and underserved Catholic communities.
What Happens at the Award Ceremony
Msgr. Bañuelas will be recognized at an awards ceremony on November 3. He can use his $100,000 prize to support his ongoing pastoral work or fund new projects in the Diocese of El Paso. The award reflects his decades of commitment to building a stronger Catholic presence in Texas through trained, engaged parish members who live out their faith daily.
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