Join the Pope John Paul II Award annual national pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Tuesday, 22 March 2022. All young people in your diocese are invited to attend! All dioceses are encouraged to reach out to all young people between the age of 16-18 in their parishes and schools to invite them to ... read more
Join the Pope John Paul II Award Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine

Diocese of Meath, Award ceremony 2022
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Bishop Thomas Deenihan of Meath presented awards to students from the diocese who had completed the ... read more

Mary’s Meals – Social Awareness Activities
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Mary’s Meals provides life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every school ... read more

Examples of Parish and Social Awareness Activities
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Pope John Paul II Award participants earn their Award by taking an active role in their parish and ... read more
News, Events & Activities

Scamwise Project – Social Awareness Activity
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Project: Share scam awareness information Suitable for: Sharing in parish, school and local ... read more

Award Leaders – Introducing the Award for the first time?
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At the start of each academic year the Pope John Paul II Award will be introduced by Award Leaders ... read more

Aid to the Church in Need – Social Awareness Activities
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Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, which yearly ... read more
The Pope John Paul II Award
The Pope John Paul II Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary.
Young people achieve their Award by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14 or 20 weeks. There are 3 Award levels – Gold, Silver & Bronze. Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.
Over 20,000 young people, in 21 dioceses throughout Ireland and the UK have successfully completed the Pope John Paul II Award since it was created in 2006. Find out more...
Take an active part in the life of your Church
The Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church - in the life of their community and society. It enables young people become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world and to engage at a deep level with Christ. Find out more...Participate in school, parish and community activities
The Award is committed to helping young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development through participation in school, parish and community activities. Find out more...Award Levels
There are 4 Awards - Gold, Silver, Bronze & Papal Cross
Each Award is completed over a 16 month period beginning at the start of the academic year.
Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14, 20 or 26 weeks.
Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.
Parish and Social Awareness activities
Examples of Parish and Social Awareness activities
Pope John Paul II Award participants can earn their Award by taking an active role in their parish and in activities which build social awareness.
We have published a useful list of parish and social awareness activities for Award Leaders and JP2 Award participants seeking ideas on how to help their parish and earn Award hours.