ACP Announces Winners of the 2026 “Excellence in Publishing Awards”

 

WORCESTER, MA – On May 28, The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) announced the winners of the 2026 Excellence in Publishing Awards.

First, second, and third place honors were awarded to publishers and authors of the best Catholic content in the following categories—Biography, Children’s Books: Young Readers, Children’s Books: Picture Books, Children’s Books: Teens, General Interest, Inspirational, Music: Liturgical Music Resource, Music: Song of the Year, Music: Distinguished Catholic Composer of the Year, Prayer: General, Prayer: Seasonal Resource, Resources for Liturgy, Resources for Ministry, Scripture: Pastoral Resources, Spirituality, and Theology.

The Resource of the Year Award will be determined by a separate panel of judges from among the 14 first place winners and announced later this summer.

We are proud to announce that the following Bayard resources have received industry recognition:

FIRST PLACE – Children’s Books: Teens – Who Am I? What it Means To be Made in the Image of God (Christopher Klofft, S.T.D., Pflaum Publishing Group)

FIRST PLACE (tied) – Scripture: Pastoral Resources – Threshold Bible Study: Handel’s “Messiah” (Stephen J. Binz, Twenty-Third Publications)

THIRD PLACE – Resources for Liturgy – 2025-2026 Sunday Missal for Young Catholics Sunday Readings, Order of Mass, Prayers and Reflections (Various authors, Bayard)

THIRD PLACE – Spirituality – Dancing with Creation: Living Mindfully through the Hours of Each Day (Michael Mercer, Twenty-Third Publications)

FINALIST – Spirituality – Opening the Heart: Reflections, Practices and Prayers to Guide Us Toward Beauty and Gratitude (Kathy Hendricks, Twenty-Third Publications)

Congratulations to all involved!