A new award has been created for clergy who have participated in Local Parish transformation, with special regard to young people.
The Jesuits in Britain and Million Minutes have created an award called 'The Jesuits in Britain Rutilio Grande & Companions Award' for communities and parishes that often go unrecognised.
The organisation Million Minutes works with parish priests, religious and clergy who do exceptional work in the service of social action and parish transformation which is inclusive of young people, but who sometimes receive little credit.
Some clergy they also work with remain undercelebrated and appreciated by their local community and the award will highlight the many important projects being undertaken across the country.
The winner of the award will be announced at an event in the Palace of Westminster in the summer, alongside the winners of the other awards created by Million Minutes, known collectively as ‘Celebrating Young People Awards.’
The award, which is being funded by the Jesuits in Britain, on the same night will celebrate the life and social action of Jesuit martyr Rutilio Grande and his companions, Nelson Lemus and Manuel Solorzano.
Blessed Rutilio Grande was a Jesuit priest who was killed for his work with the poor and oppressed in El Salvador, and who, along with his companions, was beatified in January.
The announcement of the award comes as Jesuits prepare to celebrate both the 400th anniversary of the canonisations of the founder of their order, St Ignatius, his companion St Francis Xavier, and the first feast day of Blessed Rutilio Grande which took place yesterday on March 12.