This year, 18 nominees — including two organizations and two married couples — have been put forward for consideration for the Pax Christi USA 2026 Teacher of Peace award, and six nominees — including a married couple — have been put forward for the second annual Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU Peacemaker award, which honors an exemplary peacemaker under 40.
Each year (with the exception of a four year hiatus between 2017-2020), Pax Christi USA honors an outstanding peacemaker in the tradition of Sr. Thea Bowman, Fr. Dan Berrigan, Dorothy Day, Fr. Ray East, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Fr. Bryan Massingale, and others, with the Teacher of Peace award. Last year’s recipient was Mobile (formerly Meta) Peace Team, a program that facilitates unarmed civilian protection and provides nonviolence training.
The Teacher of Peace award recognizes women and men whose lives and work exemplify the theme of Pope Paul VI’s World Day of Peace message, “To reach peace, teach peace.”
In 2025, the Pax Christi USA national council initiated the Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU Peacemaker award, given to a young adult whose life and work exemplifies the commitment to justice, contemplative presence, faith-based activism, compassion, and prophetic, nonviolent witness of Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU, who died in 2021 at age 62. (Sr. Dianna received the Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace award in 2000.) The first recipient was Joryán Hernández.
“What a blessing to see the breadth and depth of our movement, represented by these wonderful nominees for both awards!” said Charlene Howard, Pax Christi USA Executive Director. “Every one of these nominees is recognized for their witness in following the nonviolence of Jesus, their work for justice and peace in whatever way that manifests.”
The Pax Christi USA National Council, following consultation with the award ad hoc committees, will make the final decision regarding this year’s recipients in the next few weeks. An announcement will be made soon, with this year’s recipients receiving their awards on a date and at an event to be determined.
Following is a list of this year’s nominees for Teacher of Peace:
- Chef Jose Andres
- Michael Baxter
- Fr. Corey Brost, CSV
- Jan Cebula, OSF
- Tom Cordaro
- Robert Ellsberg
- Jack Gilroy
- Br. Michael Gosch, CSV
- Bruce Edward Guthrie
- Bob Keeler
- Patrick O’Neill and Mary Rider
- Terry Rynne
- Maria Stephan
- Jean Stokan and Scott Wright
- Archbishop John Wester
- Pope Leo XIV
- The Interfaith Peace Project
- Veterans for Peace
Following is a list of this year’s nominees for the Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU Peacemaker award:
- Lauren Agresti
- Karina Breceda
- Rosie Davila
- Connor Economou
- Martha Ligas
- Darlene Jasso Mendoza and Edwin Mendoza
Pax Christi USA congratulates each of the nominees and gives thanks for their work on behalf of peace with justice. We encourage our members and others to send notes of congratulations to those you know among the nominees and to thank them for their commitment!
An incredible list with so many deserving nominees but you have to go with Pope Leo XIV for taking on the American War Machine. I have had people of other faiths tell me that they wish the leaders of their churches would speak out like Pope Leo. Just contrast Pope Leo with Pius XII.
Not familiar with all listed candidates, but of those whose names I recognize, the only person who is working harder for the world’s poor and suffering is Chef Jose Andres!
Pope Leo XIV and Rosie Davila
Paz y bien