About the Lumen Christi Award
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.
Each year, Extension dioceses across the country submit nominations for the award. From these amazing nominees, several finalists are selected, followed by the recipient.
They remind us that faith is still a relevant force in our society and culture. They remind us that there is so much energy and generosity in our Church. They remind us that there are people willing to sacrifice for the good of others.
“These humble heroes of our Church are sources of hope for us and our country,” said Catholic Extension Society’s president, Father Jack Wall.
Award finalists receive $10,000 to support and enhance their ministry. From among these finalists the Lumen Christi Award recipient will ultimately be selected and given a $25,000 grant, along with an additional $25,000 grant for the nominating diocese.
Meet the 2023-2024 award recipient:
The Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great | Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The majority of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great are Ukrainian-born. They remain a presence of hope in their home country that has been ravaged by war since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The sisters’ monastery in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, is less than 40 miles from the frontlines. Despite the danger, the sisters felt called by God to minister near the warfront, helping with evacuation efforts and regularly housing women and children, whose husbands and fathers are at war and whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. They continue to provide comfort, food and clothing to residents, particularly the elderly who remain in Ukraine, as well as provide pastoral care to battle-weary soldiers.
In addition to the sisters providing aid in Ukraine, the Basilian Sisters in Philadelphia––their U.S. motherhouse––are helping Ukrainian refugee families as they get settled in the United States by providing food, clothing, and furniture, among other essential goods. Since the war started, they have served approximately 800 families through the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Philadelphia and hundreds more through the St. Basil Support Ministry.