Jesuit Author Fr. Hedwig Lewis Bags J. Maurus Award

NEW DELHI, August 3, 2026: Jesuit author Fr. Hedwig Lewis SJ, one of India's most prolific Catholic writers, has been selected for the prestigious J. Maurus Award for his latest book, Being Extraordinarily Ordinary: 30 Strategies for Wholesome Living.

The award, instituted by the Society of St Paul in collaboration with the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), recognises outstanding literary works that promote Christian values, human development, and the Church's mission of evangelisation through the printed word.

Published by Better Yourself Books, St. Paul Press, India, in September 2025, Being Extraordinarily Ordinary presents practical reflections on living a meaningful Christian life through simple, everyday choices. Across 30 concise chapters, Fr. Lewis encourages readers to cultivate gratitude, resilience, emotional balance, compassion, and hope, demonstrating that ordinary acts performed with faith can lead to extraordinary lives.

The award also acknowledges Fr. Lewis's distinguished contribution to Catholic literature spanning several decades. A Jesuit of the Gujarat Province, he has authored 46 books on spirituality, prayer, education, communication, personal growth, and human development. Several of his works have been translated into Indian and foreign languages. His best-known publication, Body Language, has sold more than 20,000 copies, while his monthly column Kaleidoscope continues to inspire readers with reflections on faith and everyday living.

Fr. Lewis's literary ministry has been marked by remarkable perseverance. In 1995, while serving as Principal of St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, he was diagnosed with Meige syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe involuntary muscle spasms. Despite living with the condition for more than three decades, he has continued writing and publishing, making his personal witness of courage and faith an inspiration to readers across generations.

Born in Bombay on October 10, 1945, Fr. Lewis joined the Society of Jesus in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1977. Besides his work as an educator and counsellor, he has become a respected voice in Catholic publishing in India.

The J. Maurus Award commemorates Fr. J. Maurus, the Italian missionary whose writings on spirituality, social concerns, and human values have inspired readers around the world. The award honours authors whose works make significant contributions to Christian literature and Catholic thought.

Fr. Hedwig Lewis SJ will receive the award during the 31st National Convention of Christian Journalists, organised by the Indian Catholic Press Association, in Bangalore on 19th Septemeber 2026.

By Catholic Connect Reporter