THE KAIROS STAR IN A GLOBAL FIRMAMENT | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2026

Author: Tania Rose Josun

Intro: Tania Rose Josun writes about Kairos Global winning the Catholic Media Awards three years consecutively.

Stewarding a Catholic magazine is best done when guided by the promptings of the Holy Spirit and surrendered to providence. This is how a small organisation like Kairos Media largely works. When examined through the lens of the world, or reasoned by the ‘practical’ scales of profit and loss, the realities of Kairos Global would undoubtedly send alarm bells ringing. But with the Good Shepherd in the pilot’s seat, the flock only has to listen and follow. 

In 2022, Kairos Media became a member of the Catholic Media Association, an organisation of Catholic media and professionals united in the service of the Church. Every year, they honour outstanding Catholic media and journalism through the Catholic Media Awards. ‘This annual competition encourages media professionals to continually strive for the highest standards of faith-centred storytelling and communications, promoting a culture of excellence in media that serves the Church in its mission to spread truth and hope.’

The highly competitive CMA awards draw thousands of entries from Catholic newspapers, diocesan and spiritual magazines every year. To win consistently at these reflects a relentless commitment to visual design and soul-stirring content.

CMA 2023 marked Kairos Global’s foray into international recognition. The three categories the magazine won that year were: Best Essay (Mission Magazine) – second place, Best Explanation of Marriage – second place, and Best Review – honourable mention. Winning articles were: Mission Talk, a regular section that features mission experiences. ‘Safeguarding Priceless’ from the August 2022 issue was a discussion young Catholic families had with JY elder, Prof. George VM on the various challenges faced by young families in present times. And Joseph Anthraper’s movie reviews in the column, Sound Reply. 

The following year, for CMA 2024, Kairos Global won five awards. ‘The Dominant Catholic Story’ by Rodney Pereira won First place: Best Feature Article - Prayer and Spirituality magazines. Our designers, Mustard Tree’s brilliant work won Third place: Best Layout of an Article. Nicholas Koeppel’s article on Theology of the Body won Third place: Best Explanation of Marriage. Two Honourable Mentions were for Magazine of the Year - Prayer and Spirituality Magazines and Best Essay - Mission Magazines.

Last year saw Kairos Global winning seven awards at CMA 2025. The October 2024 issue of the magazine, whose theme was ‘Catholic Church and Art’ won First Place: Magazine of the Year - Prayer and Spiritual magazine. Mustard Tree once again brought us an award, Second Place: Best Cover (Large). Joseph Anthraper’s ‘Catholic Marriage 101: A Primer’ won us Third Place: Best Explanation of Marriage. Tania Rose Josun’s poem, ‘You waited for me’ won Third Place: Best Original Poetry. There were three Honourable Mentions: Br Gem Jacob George’s ‘Straightening out the Pride Rainbow’ won Best Essay; ‘Pro-life Answers’ – a Q&A styled article written by Kevin Jerome, Dino Raj Paul and Aleena Joy won Best Feature Article; and Joseph Anthraper’s movie review of the Mel Gibson directed movie, Hacksaw Ridge won Best Review.

While it is exhilarating to win these awards, it is equally humbling too – the conviction that grace, and only grace brought it about. 

After our 2025 win, several leaders within the Church and the movement conveyed their felicitations. ‘Winning seven awards is an occasion that increases responsibility, and with gratitude to God, may Kairos continue this journey of greatness on the mission path,’ said Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church

H.E. Alex Vadakumthala, Bishop of Kannur and the Ecclesiastical Advisor of Jesus Youth International shared, ‘I have been personally blessed to contribute reflections and interviews to Kairos over the years. Each time I have held a copy in my hands and seen my sharing featured in such a Spirit-filled and beautifully designed magazine, I have felt both humbled and proud. It is a publication that truly carries grace, with both form and content that speak to the heart.’

‘This recognition is a powerful testimony to your creativity, commitment, and deep-rooted passion for the mission of evangelisation through media. It is my prayer that Kairos, which stands steadfast to win many hearts for Christ, continues to move forward through diverse and creative publications,’ said Dr Midhun Paul, International Coordinator of Jesus Youth.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and support of so many wonderful people, many of whom work behind the scenes – the editorial team, Kairos Media executive and core team, the Kairos Media office, our designers, printer, our readers, subscribers, and last but not the least, our FOKs (Friends of Kairos) – whose support is constant. It is they who, through small acts and large, seen and unseen work, but always with hearts attuned to the Spirit, are the fuel that takes us onward and upward. 

Tania Rose Josun is the editor of Kairos Buds and Kairos Global. She lives in Kottayam, India, with her husband and daughter.