Ascension Newsroom

[Exton, PA, April 8, 2025—]

Ascension has twice earned “Resource of the Year” from this esteemed awards program for Catholic Publishers.

Ascension has earned 13 finalist nominations from the Excellence in Publishing Awards hosted annually by the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP). The ACP is a membership organization of Catholic publishers and individuals which exists to “support a viable, vibrant, and diverse Catholic publishing environment throughout North America and beyond.”

In the ACP press release announcing 125 finalists submitted by 24 different publishers, ACP executive director Therese Brown comments on trends among this year’s nominated titles:

“There are three interesting trends among this year’s finalists,” notes Brown. “First, the overall implicit focus on discipleship—through the large number of books on women, saints, and Mary.  Second, the number and depth of books on difficult pastoral situations at the beginning and end of life from miscarriage to ministering to the dying. Third, the number of authors who have written more than one book among the finalists, including one with five books.”

Said author of 5 finalist-recognized books is Fr. Mark Toups, a beloved Ascension author who has penned annual journals and reflections for Lent and Advent. His 5 recognized titles this year include his reflections on Advent, Christmas, and Lent, the first 2 of which were also honored in their Spanish translations.

Ascension also earned a remarkable 4 finalist designations in the Children’s Books: Teens category, and 4 in the various categories for Prayer. Encounter: The Bible Timeline for Middle School was recognized in both the Children’s Books: Teens and also Scripture categories.

Winners will be announced in June.

2025 Ascension Finalists

• Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (St. Thérèse of Lisieux, O.C.D., translated by John Clarke O.C.D.)
  • Finalist: Biography
    
    
• The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You Into the Heart of God (Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR)
  • Finalist: Prayer (General)
    
    
• Growing Through the Motions: Living Your Faith with Intention (The Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz Collection) (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
  • Finalist: Resources for Liturgy
    
    
• Biblical Heroes: Stories of Faith and Courage (Author: Mark Hart, Illustrator: Baritus Catholic)
  • Finalist: Children’s Books (Teens)
    
    
• Encounter: The Bible Timeline for Middle School (Mark Hart, Colin & Aimee MacIver)
  • Finalist: Children’s Books (Teens)
  • Finalist: Scripture (General Audience)
    
    

• Envision: Theology of the Body for Middle School (Brian Butler, Jason Evert, and Colin & Aimee MacIver)
  • Finalist: Children’s Books (Teens)
    
    
• Theology of His Body / Theology of Her Body, Revised Edition (Jason Evert)
  • Finalist: Children’s Books (Teens)
    
    

• Rejoice and Be Glad, A Journey Through Christmas with the Holy Family (Fr. Mark Toups)
  • Finalist: Prayer (Seasonal Resources)
    
    
• Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture: Year C (Fr. Mark Toups)
  • Finalist: Prayer (Seasonal Resources)
    
    
• The Ascension Lenten Companion: A Personal Encounter with the Power of the Gospel, Year B (Fr. Mark Toups)
  • Finalist: Prayer (Seasonal Resources)
    
    
• ¡Alégrate! Una peregrinación de Adviento al corazón de la Escritura, Año C (P. Mark Toups)
  • Finalist: Spanish
    
    
• ¡Alégrate, llena de gracia! Un viaje por la Navidad con la Sagrada Familia (P. Mark Toups)
  • Finalist: Spanish
    

Previous Wins for Ascension in the ACP “Excellence in Publishing Awards”

Over the years, Ascension has earned 27 awards and dozens of finalist designations from the Association of Catholic Publishers. In 2023, Ascension’s edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was named the ACP’s Resource of the Year, a feat the company had previously achieved in 2015 for Chosen: Your Journey to Confirmation. In 2022, Ascension books and programs won more awards from the EPA than any other publisher.

About Ascension

Ascension is a multimedia network and the leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. Over the past 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of over 20 million Catholics through award-winning books, the chart-topping Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)® podcast, more than 50 unique faith formation programs, and the Ascension Presents media and YouTube platforms.

Media Contact

For author interviews or other media inquiries, please contact Lauren Joyce at (484) 876-1400 or Newsroom@AscensionPress.com.