Aleteia once again won the Catholic Media Association’s Best Website Award, it was announced June 21.
Some 300 Catholic media professionals, publishers, broadcasters, writers, and producers applauded when the prize was announced at the Catholic Media Conference awards dinner in Atlanta. [Boston Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Reed, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Communications, pictured above, was a keynote speaker at the conference.] A master of ceremonies read aloud what one of the judges involved in the awards program wrote of Aleteia:
“I loved everything about this site. It comes in six languages and the interactivity and international stories were engaging. They pay attention to small things, like providing a saint of the day and having a tab specifically for women. Bravo!”
Several Aleteia writers were specifically recognized for their work. Theresa Civantos Barber won first place in the Regular Column–Family Life category.
“Excellent set of columns built on a solid basis of reporting and fact gathering,” the judges wrote of Barber’s work. “Offers resources and advice in one package of a set of interesting topics. Well done.”
Three Aleteia journalists received honorable mention for work they completed last year. Dominican Fr. Peter John Cameron, who served as Aleteia’s editorial director from October 2022 until this past February, was cited for his columns on Scripture. And Rome-based writer Isabella H. De Carvalho and photographer Antoine Mekary were recognized in the Best Story and Photo Package category for their article “The nativity John Paul II visited every year, and its surprise creator.”
“Fascinating story told wonderfully with words and photos. Very interesting. Would love to see this in person! Sounds and looks so cool,” said a judge.
Aleteia book authors
Three Aleteia writers also took home prizes in the CMA’s Book Awards. Philip Kosloski’s Lily of the Mohawks: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha won first place in the Best Book by a Small Publisher.
Judges found the book, which was published by Voyage Comics & Publishing, to be in a form accessible to all ages, “brilliantly presented and carefully scripted.”
John Burger’s At the Foot of the Cross: Lessons from Ukraine was awarded third place in the category Religion in the Public Square.
“In this compelling interview, author John Burger discusses with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian [Greek] Catholic Church, shedding light on the Church’s plight amid the ongoing war in Ukraine,” judges wrote. “Shevchuk’s journey from the underground Church under Russian repression to his current leadership role, alongside insight into the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s dynamics and synodal structure, offers readers a timely and insightful glimpse into the Church’s inner workings.”
Aleteia contributor Annabelle Moseley's Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home received a first-place award in the category Lifestyle Books. In presenting the award, the CMA stated:
"Awake with Christ emphasizes the importance of the Catholic Holy Hour, contextualizing it within Christ's time in the Garden of Gethsemane, and provides practical guidance, including journal prompts and prayer examples, to make this practice accessible. Tailored for Catholics, the book enriches prayer lives year-round, with Chapter Three offering a Holy Hour outline specifically designed for children."
The book also won third place in the Prayer category. Additionally, Mosely received an honorable mention in the poetry category for her book Sacred Braille: The Rosary as Masterpiece.
Thanks to Aleteia's readers
The Catholic Media Association's awards program aims to highlight and honor the efforts of individuals and organizations that "excel in portraying Catholic teachings, values, and stories in a compelling and authentic manner,” according to the CMA.
It was the sixth time Aleteia took home first place in the Best Website-General Publisher category, the previous honors being received in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. In 2020 and 2023, Aleteia received second place in the category.
Said Kathleen N. Hattrup, Executive Editor of Aleteia's English edition, “It’s very gratifying to be recognized in this annual awards program, and it’s important that the hard work of all our journalists and support team be recognized. But it’s even more of a blessing to know what kind of impact Aleteia is making, and we are deeply grateful to our loyal readers whose support makes Aleteia possible.”
