In 1983, Pope John Paul II brought forth the idea of a new evangelization. He stated in Redemptoris Missio “I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new evangelization and to the mission ad gentes. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” He further stated in Ecclesia in America, “it is more necessary than ever for all the faithful to move from a faith of habit, sustained perhaps by social context alone, to a faith which is conscious and personally lived. The renewal of faith will always be the best way to lead others to the Truth that is Christ."

Mother Angelica began EWTN and built the Network to directly address the need and the call of the Holy Father to bring the faith to those in most need of evangelization. Her goal was to bring the faith right into people’s homes and to promote all who were during similar work in line with the true teachings of the Church.

Mother Angelica was a pioneer in the New Evangelization and this award seeks to honor those who worked with that same vigor and spirit to glorify God and to make his son, The Eternal Word, known to all the world.