THE EAGLE OF THE CROSS AWARD
The Eagle of the Cross award is given annually to outstanding juniors and seniors in high school within the Diocese of Youngstown who show particular zeal in the improvement of their own parish ministry programs, high school ministry teams, or youth work in general within the Diocese.
Nominees must be practicing Catholics, and must exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayer, good works, and Catholic-Christian leadership. This award was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, and is the highest honor presented to the youth by the Diocese of Youngstown. Up to 3 awards per county for parish involvement, and up to 2 awards per diocesan Catholic high school are awarded each year. “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:3-4).Â
Be on the lookout for nomination forms each December/January for that year’s deadline (usually mid-February). The forms are emailed to all parish ministers and can also be found here on the diocesan website.
DID YOU KNOW?
With 22 annual celebrations of the Eagle of the Cross Awards, 583 teens have received the award (See breakdown by year below), and well over 1,243 additional teens nominated.
​That means that adults have paused to appreciate many teens each spring ​through this program,
and I am sure hundreds or thousands more have been honored at their
​local parish and/or Catholic High School.
​Remember to thank a teen for being a Christian Witness to God’s love, Christ’s compassion,
​and the Holy Spirit’s work whenever you have a chance! We are truly blessed in the Diocese of Youngstown!
Eagle of the Cross – Number of Recipients:
 (Note: Every few years, the program was evaluated and changes made to reflect shifts in the diocesan population, and there are also years that nomination and selection rates vary, so the same number has not always been given each year.)Â
1999Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 27
2000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28
2001Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 27
2002Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 27
2003Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 27
2004Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28
2005Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23
2006Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23
2007Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23
2008Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 24
2009Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23
2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 23
2011Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 22
2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 30
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 30
2015Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 29
2016Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 29
2017Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 26
2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28
2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 29
​2020           29
2021Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 21
(Total 23 years: 604)
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment is currently working on updating this webpage to list the breakdown of Award Recipients and Nominations since 1999. Please visit this link in the meantime to read about all the awesome teens who have received this award throughout the years!Â
FAQs
If you ever have questions throughout the year and would like to discuss with someone further, you can email Maddie, the Director of the Office, at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org, or call her at 330.744.8451 ext. 310.
