Saint Vincent Monks, the magazine of Saint Vincent Archabbey, garnered four national awards from the Catholic Media Association, awarded during CMA’s annual convention in Atlanta. The summer 2023 issue’s feature on the bookbinding work of Father Thomas More Sikora helped the publication net three of the awards, while the story on the Benedictines’ work in Virginia Beach contributed to the fourth honor.
“Bookbinding Captivates Monk’s Creativity” netted editor and designer Kim Metzgar a first place in the category of “Best Feature Article, Religious Order Magazines,” the judges noting that it was an “incredibly interesting and unique story full of rich details about the tradition and painstaking process of bookbinding in monastic communities. Text combined with photos made for a wonderful, not-often told story.”
The same feature netted Metzgar an honorable mention in “Best Layout of an Article or Column—National General Interest Magazine.” The judges noted that “the page layout takes readers/viewers through the bookbinding process in a way that makes it feel as if we are in the workshop. The creativity was appreciated.”
The article, “Virginia Beach Parish Working Great Things in Community” took third in the feature article category, the judges remarking that it was “a detailed story on monks who are serving a parish in a Benedictine atmosphere in Virginia. A great rundown of all that the parish offers and how the community has embraced its assets and mission.”
Finally, the magazine received a second place honor in the category Magazine of the Year—Religious Order, the comments noting “engaging stories on interesting topics make this one a winner. The use of art to help illustrate pieces (particularly the story on bookbinding) is helpful for readers.”
This is the eleventh consecutive year in which the magazine has received national CMA honors and the sixteenth award for the magazine. The magazine, formerly known as Heart to Heart, also earned CMA awards for general excellence, religious order magazine, second place in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023; third place in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2021 and 2022; best cover in 2014, third place, for the Saint Vincent Fire cover designed by Jordan Hainsey; third place recognition for Best Feature Article, Religious Order Magazines in 2014; and a third place in 2006, for the best issue on the papal transition for the tribute to Pope John Paul II.
It is the twenty-first award for Metzgar and her staff for various projects from CMA, including for the book, Always Forward: A History of Saint Vincent Archabbey, 1949-2020, which received a third place award in 2021; and a 2006 CMA book award for design and production for Saint Vincent Basilica: 100 Years, in addition to awards for her editorial work on So We Do Not Lose Heart, a 2018 winner for “backlist beauty,” and on book award winners, Renewed Each Morning (2016), and The Sunday Homilies (2015).
Metzgar, of Derry, has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Seton Hill University, and has managed the Archabbey and Seminary Communications Office since 1997.
