Enter the CMA awards
The Catholic Media Association is now accepting entries for the 2027 awards season. The annual awards programs celebrate outstanding work in Catholic media, publishing, broadcasting and collegiate journalism from across the past year.
The programs recognize professionals, authors and students striving for the highest standards of storytelling that serves the Church and society. Award winners gain career recognition, with honors published in the annual awards issue of The Catholic Journalist , featured online and presented in July 2027 at the Catholic Media Conference in Oklahoma City.
Catholic Media Awards and CMA Book Awards
The Catholic Media Awards accept work produced by members in 2026 across five divisions: All Member (individual excellence and digital); Newspapers; Magazines and Print Newsletters; Communications; and Spanish Language. CMA member publications, organizations and freelancers each receive one free entry submitted by Jan. 31, 2027.
The CMA Book Awards honor exceptional titles across categories such as theology, spirituality, history and children’s literature. Hard copy materials must arrive at the CMA Chicago office by Feb. 12, 2027.
61st Annual Gabriel Awards
Now in their 61st year, the Gabriel Awards celebrate values-centered storytelling across film, audio (radio or podcast) and television (streaming or digital media). First established in 1965 by the Catholic Academy of Communication Arts Professionals and now stewarded by the CMA, the competition honors media that faithfully portrays the human experience through dignity, compassion, justice, community and tolerance.
Entries must have been released during the 2026 calendar year. Finalists will be announced April 22, 2027, with winners receiving the silver Gabriel statuette July 16, 2027, during the conference at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City.
St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards
The St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards support and encourage the next generation of Catholic media professionals, welcoming submissions from Catholic college alumni magazines as well as students.
The alumni magazine division highlights university storytelling, while the student division gives enrolled undergraduates and graduate students constructive professional critiques from working editors and communications directors. To foster student participation, each eligible student may submit up to 10 entries at no cost.
Key deadlines and information
Submissions across all programs opened Nov. 2. The standard submission period closes Jan. 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central time. An extension period runs Feb. 1-7, 2027.
Entries across every division are evaluated by experienced media professionals, educators and authors committed to fairness, integrity and professional excellence.
Full entry rules, category packets and online submission forms are available at catholicmediaassociation.org/awards , or by contacting the awards staff at awards@catholicmediaassociation.org.