ACP Announces Finalists for 2026 “Excellence in Publishing Awards”

BALTIMORE, MD — The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) is pleased to announce the finalists for the Excellence in Publishing Awards. The goal of these awards is to recognize the best in Catholic publishing.

Awards will be given for books falling into 18 categories: Biography, Children’s Books: Young Readers, Children’s Books: Picture Books, Children’s Books: Teens, Fiction, General Interest, Inspirational, Music: Distinguished Catholic Composer of the Year, Music: Liturgical Music Resource, Music: Song of the Year, Prayer: General, Prayer: Seasonal Resources, Resources for Liturgy, Resources for Ministry, Scripture: General Audience, Spanish, Spirituality, and Theology. A “Resource of the Year” will be named from among the first-place finishers of the 18 categories.

“There are three interesting trends among this year’s finalists,” noted Therese Brown, ACP’s executive director. “First, the focus on accessibility and practical, lived faith.  Second, among the growing number of family resources, there is an emphasis on early and ongoing formation. Third, current ecclesial and modern concerns are well-represented in this group of finalists.”

Here are the ACP finalists “by the numbers.”

• 18 publishers submitted approximately 120 finalists across 18 categories
• 2 publishers—Ascension Press and Word on Fire Ministries—account for slight more than 30% of all finalists, leading the field
• The top 4 publishers (Ascension Press, Word on Fire Ministries, Ave Maria Press, Pauline Books & Media) account for a little more than 55% of all finalists
• 6 publishers (adding OSV and GIA Publications to the above) represent more than 70% of all finalists
• 6 categories focused on ministry, liturgy, scripture, and theology account for about 35% of all finalists
• 3 titles focus on Pope Leo XIV, the most represented contemporary figure
• 5+ titles focus on saints or holy figures, including Mary
• 2 titles are finalists in multiple categories (The Story of All Stories and Through Living Waters)
• 1 papal document (Dilexit Nos) and 1 classic work appears among the finalists (The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky)

Each category was judged by a three-person panel, which reviewed and evaluated the entries, reducing the number of finalists to 6-9 titles, all of which will move on to the final round of judging. First, second, and third place winners will be announced in June.

The finalists by category are:

Biography

Love Made Me An Inventor: The Story of Maggy Barankitse - Humanitarian, Genocide Survivor, Citizen without Borders (David Toole, Orbis Books); Pope Leo XIV (Christopher White, Loyola Press); Pope Leo XIV (Jesús Colina, OSV); Real Moms of Real Saints (Colleen Pressprich, Pauline Books & Media); The Most Dangerous Man in England (Paul Shrimpton, Word on Fire Ministries); Think Hope: Maria Middleton's Life of Unyielding Trust in God (Brian Middleton, Susan Middleton, and Ron Watson, Ascension Press); When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to Pope Leo XIV's Early Days (Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Fr. Josh Johnson, and Katie Prejean McGrady, Ascension Press).

Children's Books: Picture Books

God Made Me Good (Hannah Saeger; illustrated by Tammie Lyon, Pauline Books & Media); My First Interactive Christmas Story (Written by Suzy Senior, Illustrated by Jayne Schofield, Ascension Press); My First Interactive Rosary Book (Written and Illustrated by Candace Camling, Ascension Press); Saints Come in All Shapes and Sizes (Written by Patrick O'Hearn, Illustrated by Elizabeth Blair, Ascension Press); Song of Zechariah (Bible, Word on Fire Ministries); There Is No Saint Named Kelly (Kelly Luong, Pauline Books & Media).

Children's Books: Teens

A Heart Like Hers: Walking with Mary (Caroline Pignat, Novalis); A Summer to Treasure (Leslea Wahl, Perpetual Light Publishing); Friendship Reset: Ditch the Drama and Find Your Crew (Maggie Craig, Ave Maria Press); The Curse He Chose, In Aeternum, Book One (Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, Pauline Books & Media); The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics (Emily Stimpson Chapman, Word on Fire Ministries); When Will There Finally Be Peace? Answers to Questions about War, Violence, Refugees, and Reconciliation (Written by Elisabeth Raffauf, illustrated by Günther Jakobs, Paulist Press); Who Am I? What it Means To be Made in the Image of God (Christopher Klofft, S.T.D., Pflaum Publishing Group).

Children's Books: Young Readers

A Dark and Desperate Race (Stephanie Weller Hanson, Pauline Books & Media); God Made That! Catholic Nature Field Guide (Written by Kathleen M. Hoenke and William A. Jacobs, illustrated by Fiona Osbaldstone, Pauline Books & Media); OSV Kids Discover: The Pope (Colleen Pressprich, OSV); Past Watchful Dragons: Biblical Stories Made New (R.J. Sheffler, Word on Fire Ministries); Saintly Bites for Children: Mixing Faith, Fun, and Family Time in the Kitchen (Shelby Siegfried, Liguori Publications); The Riddle of the Tongue-stones: How Blessed Nicholas Steno Uncovered the Hidden History of the Earth (Thomas Salerno, Word on Fire Ministries); The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics (Emily Stimpson Chapman, Word on Fire Ministries); Through Living Waters: An Origin Story About Baptism (Written by Claudia Cangilla McAdam, Illustrated by Gina Capaldi, Ascension Press).

Fiction

Incarnate (Antony Barone Kolenc, Chrism Press); The Bicycle Messenger (Joan Elizabeth Bauer, Chrism Press); The Black Knight (Michael P. Halloran, King of Blendon); The Brothers Karamazov (Fyodor Dostoevsky, Word on Fire Ministries); The Curse He Chose, In Aeternum, Book One (Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, Pauline Books & Media); The End of the Affair (Graham Greene, Word on Fire Ministries); The Wagers of Sin (Emily Hanlon, Chrism Press); The Year of My Humiliation (C.J. Sursum, Lilyfield Press).

General Interest

An Ignatian Spirituality Reader, Volume II (Eileen C. Burke-Sullivan, Julia A. Dowd, Mark Mossa, SJ, Stephanie Russell, and Lori Stanley, Loyola Press); Dilexit Nos ("He Loved Us") (Pope Francis, Ascension Press); Enchanted by Eternity: Recapturing the Wonder of the Catholic Worldview (William J. Slattery, OSV); Living and Dying Well: A Catholic Plan for Resisting Physician-Assisted Killing (Charles Camosy, OSV); Lovemaking How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse (Renzo and Monica Ortega, Ave Maria Press); What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed (Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire Ministries).

Inspirational

Journeys Home 3: Pentecostals and Charismatics (Edited by JonMarc Grodi, Foreword by Kenny Burchard, CHResources); My First Examen (Raquel Rose, The Little Rose Shop); Pocket Guide to the Works of Mercy (Claire Couche, Neena Gaynor, Elizabeth Santorum Marcolini, Ascension Press); She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood (Suzanne Bilodeau, Ascension Press); The Spiritual Path (Lisa Kelly, Loyola Press); The Way of the Rosary: A Journey with Mary Through Scripture, Liturgy, and Life (Shannon Wendt, Ascension Press).

Music: Distinguished Catholic Composer of the Year

Bex Gaunt (Bex Gaunt, GIA Publications, Inc.); Chaz Bowers (Chaz Bowers, GIA Publications, Inc.); God Makes a Way (Tom Booth, OCP); Katie Wills (Katie Wills, OCP); Lourdes Montgomery (Lourdes Montgomery, GIA Publications, Inc.).

Music: Liturgical Music Resource

Blessed Be God: Acclamations, Hymns and Chants for the OCIA (Tony Alonso, GIA Publications, Inc.); Catholic Community Hymnal - Second Edition (Various authors, GIA Publications, Inc.); Stanley Rother Mass (Stanley Rother, OCP); The Abbey Psalms and Canticles (Monks of Conception Abbey, Ascension Press); We Sing with Holy Mary: Songs and Hymns Devoted to the Mother of the Lord (Edited by Alan J. Hommerding, GIA Publications, Inc.).

Music: Song of the Year

Be Still: Psalm 46 (Eddie Cavazos, Text by Eddie Cavazos and Laura Cavazos, GIA Publications, Inc.); God Makes a Way (Tom Booth, Israel Houghton, Echo Harbor Worship, OCP); Hope Will Not Fail (Mark A. Miller, Text Author David Bjorlin, GIA Publications, Inc.); I Am the Good Shepherd (Luke Mayernik, OCP); Those Who Eat My Flesh / Los Que Comen Mi Carne (Bob Hurd and Jaime Cortez, OCP).

Prayer: General

Cultivating a Contemplative Heart and Becoming a Person of Prayer (Mary Beth Kremski, OSV); Gate of Heaven: Reflections on the Mother of God (Matthew Becklo, Word on Fire Ministries); Let Us Pray: Catholic Prayers for All Abilities (Mark Bradford, Word on Fire Ministries); Pocket Guide to Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins (Fr. Josh Johnson, Ascension Press); The Homefront Devotional: Navigate Military Life with Courage, Hope, and Faith (Tara McMullen, Ave Maria Press).

Prayer: Seasonal Resources

Ashes to Flames: A Lenten Pilgrimage (Ronald D. Witherup, Paulist Press); Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Through Mary's Eyes (Written by Catherine Cavadini, Artwork by Anastassia Cassady, Ave Maria Press); Given for You: Eucharistic Stations of the Cross (Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, OSV); Illuminate: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation (Fr. John Nepil, Ave Maria Press); Laudemus Te: A Service of Lessons and Carols (Jacob Dishman, GIA Publications, Inc.); Stations of the Cross for Kids (Raquel Rose, The Little Rose Shop); Waiting Well: Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz, Journal (Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension Press); Witness: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation (Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, Ave Maria Press).

Resources for Liturgy

2025-2026 Sunday Missal for Young Catholics Sunday Readings, Order of Mass, Prayers and Reflections (Various authors, Bayard, Inc.); First Reconciliation and Beyond: A Family's Guide for Learning and Living Forgiveness (Katie Prejean McGrady, Tommy McGrady, Ave Maria Press); Full Communion with Us: The Reception of Candidates in the OCIA (Paul Turner, Liturgical Press); Heritage Missal (Various authors, OCP); Pocket Guide to Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins (Fr. Josh Johnson, Ascension Press); Preparing Music for Catholic Liturgy (Jaime Cortez, Christopher J. Ferraro, Valerie Lee-Jeter, Liturgy Training Publications); The Art of Liturgical Ministry (Corinna Laughlin, Liturgy Training Publications); Through Living Waters: An Origin Story About Baptism (Written by Claudia Cangilla McAdam, Illustrated by Gina Capaldi, Ascension Press).

Resources for Ministry

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Second Edition (Premium) (Jeff Cavins, Mary Healy, Andrew Swafford, Peter Williamson, Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, Patricia Isaacs, Ascension Press); Indispensable: A Catholic Guide to Welcoming Persons with Disabilities (Mark Bradford, Word on Fire Ministries); The Bible in a Year Study Guide (Fr. Mike Schmitz, Claire Couche, Ascension Press); The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation, Starter Pack (2025) (Jeff Cavins, Ascension Press); The Catholic School Playbook (Michael Ortner and Kimberly Begg, Word on Fire Ministries); The Transformative Power of Small Groups: A 7-Step Guide for Building Vibrant Catholic Communities (Michael White, Tom Corcoran, Ave Maria Press).

Scripture: Pastoral Resources

An Inspired Word in Season: Reading the Bible Responsibly in a Polarized World (Thomas M. Bolin, Liturgical Press); Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Through Mary's Eyes (Written by Catherine Cavadini, Artwork by Anastassia Cassady, Ave Maria Press); Eyes Fixed on Jesus, Vol. 1: A Journey into the Gospels (Meg Hunter-Kilmer, OSV); In Her Voice: Stories of Women in the Bible (Vivia Lawton Fowler, Paulist Press); Stretch Out Your Hand: Reflections on the Healing Ministry of Jesus (Amy Ekeh, Liturgical Press); Threshold Bible Study: Handel's "Messiah" (Stephen J. Binz, Twenty-Third Publications).

Spanish

Bendito Sea Dios Aclamaciones, Himnos y Tropos para el RICA (Tony Alonso, GIA Publications, Inc.); Manual para padrinos y madrinas de catecúmenos: Edición revisada (Ronald J. Lewinski, Rita Burns Senseman, Liturgy Training Publications); Papa León XIV: Corazón inquieto, pastor fiel (Sor. Gemma Morató Sendra, OP, Liguori Publications); Regreso: Cómo Atraer A Su Hijo De Vuelta A La Iglesia (Brandon Vogt, Word on Fire Ministries).

Spirituality

Dancing with Creation: Living Mindfully through the Hours of Each Day (Michael Mercer, Twenty-Third Publications); Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World (Isaac Slater, OCSO, Liturgical Press); Epiphanies of Nature and Grace: Twelve Meditations from a Life in Dialogue (Cyprian Consiglio, Orbis Books); Opening the Heart: Reflections, Practices and Prayers to Guide Us toward Beauty and Gratitude (Kathy Hendricks, Twenty-Third Publications); The Years of Ripening: Reflections on Aging in the Later Years (Joyce Rupp, Orbis Books).

Theology

A Theology of Flourishing: The Fullness of Life for all Creation (Paul J. Schutz, Orbis Books); Blessing of a New Dawn: Reorienting Christianity's Relation to Judaism (Mary C. Boys, Orbis Books); Engaging the Doctrine of the Church (Matthew Levering, Word on Fire Ministries); Real Presence: The Work of Eucharist, Third Edition (Nathan D. Mitchell, Liturgy Training Publications); The Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward from Here (Kristin M. Colberg and Jos Moons, SJ, Liturgical Press); What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed (Most Rev. Robert Barron, Word on Fire Ministries).

A brief explanation of each category follows: Books in the “Biography” category must be about Catholics whose work has made a valuable contribution to the Church and the world on a local level or a universal level. “Children’s Books” are divided into three categories focusing on picture books for young children who are learning to read, young readers up to age 11, and teens.

Fiction books nominated in this category are novels or a collection of short stories that include characters and action that reflect the Catholic faith, tradition, or practice. Books in the “General Interest” category include Church history, collections of essays by theologians or important Catholic thinkers. The “Inspirational” book category focuses on devotional, spiritual, and meditation books and books on saints, holy people, and stories related to people living their faith.

Submissions in the music categories highlight specifically Catholic aspects of music in faith. The “Song of the Year” honors liturgical compositions that address a specified theme; this year it is the Eucharist. “Liturgical Music Resource” recognizes the best Catholic liturgical music resources for the Liturgies of the Church. “Distinguished Catholic Music Composer of the Year” honors outstanding artistic achievement in composition for liturgy, worship, or personal prayer.

“Prayer: General” is books centered on formal or informal prayer. “Prayer: Seasonal Resources” specifically focus on reflections for the major liturgical seasons. “Resources for Liturgy” covers any book that serves as a formation and preparation tools in parish or school ministry for sacrament preparation, liturgy, and worship. Examples include liturgical ministry guidebooks, lector training resources, and sacramental preparation. “Resources for Ministry” includes any book that is not part of a ministry program that serves as a faith formation tool in parish ministry for sacrament preparation, catechesis (other than basal programs), adult faith formation, and for use in enrichment programs.

The category of “Scripture: General Audience” includes non-scholarly, non-academic books intended for pastoral situations. “Spanish” includes books from any awards category (inspiration, biography, prayer, and spirituality, etc.) originally published in Spanish for the U.S. market.

“Spirituality” books are largely narrative in form and structured along a specific theme. “Theology” includes books on the topic of Catholic theology, whether scholarly monographs or more popular treatments of theological aspects of Catholic teaching on, for example, the sacraments, the nature of the Church.

The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) is a membership organization of Catholic publishers, those who provide services to Catholic publishers, and individuals who work with Catholic publishers. The ACP provides opportunities for members to further the Catholic publishing industry, promote Catholic publishing and reading, and engage those they interact with, including retailers, pastoral leaders, individual customers, and staff.