The Catholic Extension Society named Msgr. Arturo J. Bañuelas the recipient of its 2026-2027 Lumen Christi Award on Sept. 28, recognizing five decades of ministry and lay leadership formation in Texas.

The Chicago-based organization announced that the retired priest of the Diocese of El Paso will receive $100,000 at a ceremony scheduled for Nov. 3. The funds are designated to support his ongoing work with the Tepeyac Institute and broader initiatives within the diocese.

Award Selection Process

The Lumen Christi Award, established in 1978, stands as the highest honor bestowed by Catholic Extension Society. Bishops nominate one individual, group, or institution annually from their respective dioceses. This year’s selection committee reviewed 46 nominees before narrowing the field to eight finalists in August.

All eight finalists will receive $15,000 each. Msgr. Bañuelas’ award amount is split between his personal ministry efforts and the Diocese of El Paso.

Five Decades of Ministry

Monsignor Bañuelas was ordained a priest for the Diocese of El Paso on June 11, 1976. He grew up in Pecos, Texas, near Santa Rosa de Lima Parish, and has seven siblings. Catholic Extension Society supported his education while he attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

His academic formation continued internationally. He earned a licentiate in sacred theology from Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1986, followed by a doctorate in fundamental theology from the same institution in 1988. That same year, he attended a discernment retreat at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

In 1989, he co-founded the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. His pastoral assignments included serving as pastor at St. Pius X Parish in El Paso from 1988 to 2014 and at St. Mark Parish from 2015 until his retirement in 2022.

Lay Formation Focus

Monsignor Bañuelas founded the Tepeyac Institute, an educational center for lay ministry within the El Paso Diocese. Through this institution, he helped form approximately 80,000 lay leaders over his career.

He also established the Hope Border Institute in 2015, serving as its founding chair. Although retired from active parish administration, he continues to assist with Mass at roughly 10 parishes in the Diocese of El Paso and remains active in teaching through the Tepeyac Institute.

Catholic Extension Society was founded in 1905 to support missionary work and clergy formation across the United States. The Lumen Christi Award highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the Church’s mission.