St. Francis de Sales Award
For Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Journalism
Recognizing those who raise the standard of Catholic journalism
The St. Francis de Sales Award is the highest honor the Catholic Media Association bestows on an individual. Chosen by a vote of CMA members, the recipient is presented with a bronze St. Francis de Sales statue at the Catholic Media Conference.
The nomination form opens January 6, 2027.
About the Award
The award is named for St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists and writers. It recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism through their professional work and dedication to the mission.
Nomination Criteria
Tied to a member publication
Nominees serve on the staff of, or contribute to, a publication that is a member of the Catholic Media Association.
Any area of the craft
The work may be general, such as managing or editing a periodical, or specific, such as reporting.
One year or a full career
A nomination may recognize work from the preceding year or across an entire journalism career.
An example for the field
Nominees show excellence, originality or initiative that raises the performance of Catholic journalists or develops new and more effective practices.
Official criteria
The St. Francis de Sales Award shall be given to the person who, in the preceding year or during the years of his/her journalism career, while on the staff of or as a contributor to a publication that is a member of the Catholic Media Association, has performed the work of Catholic journalism either in general (for example, managing or editing a periodical) or in particular (for example, reporting) with such overall excellence or such originality or initiative, judged by that work's proper technical, intellectual, and practical-moral standards, as by his/her example to have contributed to raising the measure of performance of Catholic journalists, or to the development of new and more effective practices.
How the Recipient Is Selected
Nominations, committee review and a membership vote lead to the presentation at the Catholic Media Conference.
- Step 1: NominationsJanuary 6 to March 6, 2027Any CMA member may nominate one person each year.
- Step 2: Committee reviewUp to three finalistsChosen by a committee of the five most recent recipients.
- Step 3: Membership voteFirst and second choiceCMA members vote for a first place and a second place candidate.
- Step 4: PresentationJuly 16, 2027Catholic Media Conference, The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Votes are unweighted. The candidate with the most first place votes wins. In the event of a tie, second place votes determine the winner.
Recent Recipients
The five most recent recipients serve on the St. Francis de Sales Committee and select each year's finalists.
- 2026Karen CallawayFor her lifelong dedication to Catholic visual storytelling.
- 2025Carol ZimmermannFor raising professional standards of Catholic journalism.
- 2024Ana Rodriguez-SotoFor her 40 years of exemplary service as a Catholic journalist and editor, bringing professionalism, dedication and creativity to the Catholic news of the Archdiocese of Miami.
- 2023Barb FrazeFor more than 25 years as a premier journalist and editor providing international news to U.S. and global Catholic media outlets.
- 2022Ann AughertonFor her unwavering commitment to professional journalism, especially in the Catholic press.
- 2021Cindy WoodenFor her career of service to Catholic journalism and by exemplifying the highest standards of our profession.
- 2020John FeisterFor his commitment to effectively reach and faith-fully impact Catholics throughout the world.
The St. Francis de Sales Award is one of four individual honors the Catholic Media Association presents each year, alongside its annual awards programs.
Explore all CMA awards and honors