With great joy, the Paulist Fathers announce that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will receive our inaugural Father Hecker Award for Excellence in Evangelization.

The award will be presented online during Hope Coast-to-Coast: A Virtual Groundbreaking with the Paulists on Saturday evening, October 17, 2020.

The Father Hecker Award for Excellence in Evangelization recognizes the achievements of an individual or organization in using the tools of the modern age in promoting the Good News of the Gospel, exemplifying the call of Pope Francis to root the church’s missionary outreach as one animated by the joy of encountering “the love of God in Jesus Christ” (EG, 120), which in turn empowers the faithful to go out and encounter others.

Throughout his ministry, Cardinal Tagle has exemplified reaching out to people to spread the joy of the Gospel in a creative way. He is a charismatic preacher who has effectively used the tools of modern media to reach out to the Filipino people, and to the wider world. His media program “The Word Exposed,” which unpacks the weekly Sunday scripture readings, has been viewed by millions of people, and has been especially crucial as a source of renewal for many during this present COVID-19 pandemic when access to liturgy has been restricted.

In his new role as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Tagle now shepherds the evangelization efforts of the Universal Church.

In addition, we recognize his close ties to the American Catholic community. He is an alumnus of the Catholic University of America, from which he received a doctorate in sacred theology in 1991.