Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas, past pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in El Paso, Texas, has been nominated for a second time for the prestigious Lumen Christi Award, presented annually by the Catholic Extension Society. As the organization’s highest honor since 1978, the award recognizes individuals and groups across the United States who radiate the light of Christ through compassionate service, pastoral care, and leadership in mission communities.
Throughout his 46 years of service, Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas has helped the Church in the Diocese of El Paso thrive by empowering Catholics to use their gifts to serve with great impact. Early in his priesthood, Msgr. Bañuelas recognized that many parishioners viewed the Church’s ministry as belonging primarily to the priest. This realization shaped his lifelong quest of helping them embrace their baptismal call as leaders in the life and mission of the Church. That vision was brought into focus in 1988 during a pivotal moment on a discernment retreat at the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City. On his last day, standing at the site of Our Lady’s apparition to St. Juan Diego, Msgr. Bañuelas believes he received inspiration from Our Blessed Lady herself. He returned to then-Bishop Raymundo J. Peña with a bold proposal to create a lay ministry formation program in the diocese to help build the Church. At that time there was little ministry education available to lay leaders, and opportunities for them to serve parishes were scarce.
Monsignor Bañuelas’s 2026–2027 nomination reflects these decades of transformative ministry and visionary leadership along the U.S.–Mexico border. Since establishing the Tepeyac Institute following that pivotal 1988 retreat, he has trained over 20,000 lay leaders to take an active role in parish ministry, liturgy, and community service. As a pioneer in Hispanic theology and lay formation, he has helped parishioners discover and live out their baptismal call. His impact also extends to co-founding the Hope Border Institute—a vital voice bringing together research, advocacy, and action to address justice, human dignity, and immigrant rights—and earning national recognition as a compassionate advocate for farmworkers and asylum seekers.
Monsignor Bañuelas is among 46 extraordinary nominees submitted by bishops across the nation for the 2026–2027 award cycle. Catholic Extension Society will select a group of national finalists later this summer, with each receiving $15,000 for their ministry. The national honoree will be named in the fall and awarded $100,000 to support their local community outreach and programs. To see all 46 nominees visit https://www.catholicextension.org/what-we-do/lumen-christi-award/2026-2027-lumen-christi-award-nominees/
In a region filled with unique opportunities and complex challenges, Monsignor Bañuelas continues to be a shining beacon of hope, justice, and Christ’s love for the entire diocese and beyond. Please join in congratulating Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas on this recognition and keeping him and all nominees in your prayers.