--- title: Freedom of Spirit Award image: https://offers.litpress.org/hubfs/AbbotDoug-Therese-FreedomofSpirit.jpg --- [![](https://cdnlp.blob.core.windows.net/litpress/images/layout/logo100.jpg)](https://litpress.org/100) [My Account](https://litpress.org/MyAccount) Social Justice [Catholic Social Teaching](https://litpress.org/Category/CSTE/catholic-social-teaching) [Faith and Justice](https://litpress.org/Category/JUFA/faith-and-justice) [Ecology](https://litpress.org/Category/ECOL/ecology) [Ethics](https://litpress.org/Category/ETHI/ethics) Parish Life [Eucharistic Revival](https://litpress.org/Category/ER/eucharistic-revival) [Parish Ministries](https://litpress.org/Category/PMIN/parish-ministries) [Liturgical Ministries](https://litpress.org/Category/LMIN/liturgical-ministries) [Preaching and Presiding](https://litpress.org/Category/PANP/preaching-and-presiding) [Parish Leadership](https://litpress.org/Category/PARL/parish-leadership) [Seasonal Resources](https://litpress.org/Category/SEAR/seasonal-resources) [Worship Resources](https://litpress.org/Category/LRE/worship-resources) [Sacramental Preparation](https://litpress.org/Category/SACP/sacramental-preparation) [Ritual Books](https://litpress.org/Category/RITB/ritual-books) [Music](https://litpress.org/Music) Liturgical Studies [Liturgical Theology](https://litpress.org/Category/LITT/liturgical-theology) [The Liturgy of the Church](https://litpress.org/Category/LITC/liturgy-of-the-church) [Liturgy and Sacraments](https://litpress.org/Category/LISA/liturgy-and-sacraments) [Liturgy in History](https://litpress.org/Category/LITH/liturgy-in-history) Scripture [Biblical Spirituality](https://litpress.org/Category/BISP/biblical-spirituality) [Old Testament Scholarship](https://litpress.org/Category/OTS/old-testament-scholarship) [New Testament Scholarship](https://litpress.org/Category/NTS/new-testament-scholarship) [Wisdom Commentary](https://litpress.org/wisdom-commentary-series) [Catholic Bible Study](https://littlerockscripture.org) [The Saint John's Bible](https://litpress.org/SJB) Theology [Ecclesiology and Ecumenism](https://litpress.org/Category/ECC/ecclesiology-and-ecumenism) [Church and Culture](https://litpress.org/Category/CHCU/church-and-culture) [Sacramental Theology](https://litpress.org/Category/SACT/sacramental-theology) [Systematic Theology](https://litpress.org/Category/SYST/Systematic-Theology) [Theology in History](https://litpress.org/Category/HIST/Theology-in-History) [Aesthetics and the Arts](https://litpress.org/Category/ATA/Aesthetics-and-the-Arts) Prayer & Spirituality [Prayer](https://litpress.org/Category/P/prayer) [Liturgy of the Hours](https://litpress.org/Category/LOTH/Liturgy-of-the-Hours) [Spirituality](https://litpress.org/Category/SPI/Spirituality) [Biography/Hagiography](https://litpress.org/Category/BH/Biography-Hagiography) [Daily Reflections](https://litpress.org/Category/DR/daily-reflections) [Spiritual Direction/Counseling](https://litpress.org/Category/SDC/spiritual-direction-counseling) Monasticism [Benedictine Spirituality](https://litpress.org/Category/B/Benedictine-Spirituality) [Cistercian](https://litpress.org/CP) [Rule of Saint Benedict and Other Rules](https://litpress.org/Category/ROSB/rule-of-saint-benedict-and-other-rules) [Lectio Divina](https://litpress.org/Category/LEDI/lectio-divina) [Monastic Studies](https://litpress.org/Category/MOST/monastic-studies) [Oblates](https://litpress.org/Category/OBL/oblates) [Monasticism in History](https://litpress.org/Category/MOIH/monasticism-in-history) [Thomas Merton](https://litpress.org/Category/THME/thomas-merton) [Religious Life/Discipleship](https://litpress.org/Category/RLD/religious-life-discipleship) Periodicals [*Give Us This Day*](https://giveusthisday.org) [*Worship*](http://journalworship.org) [*The Bible Today*](https://thebibletoday.org) [*Cistercian Studies Quarterly*](https://cistercian-studies-quarterly.org/) [*Loose-Leaf Lectionary*](https://litpress.org/loose-leaf-lectionary/index) [Bulletins](https://litpress.org/Bulletins/Index) [PrayTell Blog](https://praytellblog.com) ☰ # Liturgical Press Honored with Freedom of Spirit Award from the Fetzer Global Trust FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COLLEGEVILLE, MINNESOTA (April 14, 2026)—Liturgical Press is honored to be the recipient of the 2025 [Freedom of Spirit Award](https://www.freedomofspiritfund.org/about) from the Fetzer Global Trust, signifying the extraordinary impact of the publishing house’s work to date, and the single largest contribution toward its Centennial Campaign. This award includes a beautiful, handcrafted glass sculpture created by [April Wagner](https://epiphanyglass.com/bio/)of Epiphany Studios along with a generous $100,000 donation toward Liturgical Press’s fundraising effort that was created to mark one-hundred years of publishing in service of the church. “The Freedom of Spirit Award is given to individuals and organizations that exemplify creativity, courage, and a devotion to ideas and values that lift up the human spirit for a more loving world,” said Jay Fishman and Rob Lehman, administrators of the Freedom of Spirit Fund. “Liturgical Press is a beacon of light to so many through their inspirational books and outreach. For one hundred years, they have helped the deep traditions meet the experience in everyday lives.”![AbbotDoug-Therese-FreedomofSpirit](https://offers.litpress.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AbbotDoug-Therese-FreedomofSpirit.jpg?width=503&height=578&name=AbbotDoug-Therese-FreedomofSpirit.jpg) In addition to this significant honor and gift from the Freedom of Spirit Fund, Rob and his spouse Molly Lehman personally matched the award with a major gift of $50,000 toward the Liturgical Press Centennial Campaign. “We are so honored to receive this recognition from the Freedom of Spirit Fund and the generous gift from Rob and Molly Lehman,” said, Therese Ratliff, PhD, director of Liturgical Press. “It is a tremendous blessing to discover that our mission resonates with others who desire to promote unity, dialogue, and peace in an uncertain world. When sharing abundance is a way of life, as it is for Molly and Rob, grace can touch others in unimaginable ways.” According to the [Fund website](https://www.freedomofspiritfund.org/about), Jay Fishman and Rob Lehman have been nurturing the growth of the Fetzer Global Trust for the past three and half decades including the creation of the Freedom of Spirit Fund which has provided grants to institutions and individuals that embody the Freedom of Spirit. Some of these include the Abraham Lincoln Institute, Zekelman Holocaust Center, Mayo Clinic, Bill Moyers, and more. *Figure 1: Douglas Mullin, OSB, Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville and Therese Ratliff, PhD, Director of Liturgical Press with the Freedom of Spirit Award* “This award and gift mean so much to us at Liturgical Press, especially given Rob and Molly’s years of dedication to ideas and actions that promote a more loving world. From their support of *CALL–A Symposium* (Contemplative Awareness in Love and Life), to this gift and art, they are propelling our first campaign forward and lifting our spirits with light and beauty,” said Margaret Nuzzolese Conway, development and fundraising manager for Liturgical Press. To learn more about Liturgical Press’s centennial celebration and ambitious fundraising campaign, visit [litpress.org/100](http://litpress.org/100). Add your support toward Liturgical Press’s Centennial Campaign, by visiting [litpress.org/donate](http://litpress.org/donate) or by calling 800-858-5450. *###* **About the Freedom of Spirit Fund:** The Freedom of Spirit Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States funded by the Fetzer Global Trust, a United Kingdom-based charitable trust, is rooted in John E. Fetzer's vision to explore and foster the "freedom of spirit." This vision, championed by the Freedom of Spirit Fund, emphasizes advancing a deeper understanding of human consciousness. **About Liturgical Press:** Located at Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, Liturgical Press began publishing for the Church in 1926. Our staff is committed to providing religious and spiritual resources of the highest relevance and quality to Catholic parishes and individuals and to the academic community. Our imprints and publications include Liturgical Press Books, Liturgical Press Academic, Cistercian Publications, *The Saint John’s Bible*, Little Rock Scripture Study, and *Give Us This Day*. Learn more about our publishing ministry at litpress.org. For more information, please contact:  | Margaret Nuzzolese Conway Development & Fundraising Manager [mnuzzolese@litpress.org](mailto:mnuzzolese@litpress.org) (320) 363-2262 | Michelle Verkuilen Marketing Coordinator [mverkuilen@litpress.org](mailto:mverkuilen@litpress.org) (320) 363-2227 | | --- | --- |   ## Orders [Account Login](https://litpress.org/MyAccount) [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://litpress.org/Customer-Service/faq) [Shipping Information](https://litpress.org/customer-service/order-information) [Return Policy](https://litpress.org/customer-service/return-policy) [Change of Address](https://litpress.org/customer-service/change-of-address) [Canadian Orders](https://litpress.org/customer-service/canadian-orders) [International Distribution](https://litpress.org/customer-service/international-orders) ## Publications [*Give Us This Day*](https://giveusthisday.org) [*Worship*](https://journalworship.org) [*The Bible Today*](https://thebibletoday.org) [Cistercian Publications](https://litpress.org/cistercian-publications) [Little Rock Scripture Study](https://litpress.org/little-rock-scripture-study) ## Quick Links [About Us](https://litpress.org/About/Index) [News and Events](https://litpress.org/About/news) [Search by Author](https://litpress.org/Authors) [Manuscript Submission](https://litpress.org/Authors/submit-manuscript) [Exam Copies](https://litpress.org/customer-service/exam-copy-policy) [Copyright and Fair Use](https://litpress.org/customer-service/copyright) [Download Covers](https://litpress.org/Covers) [Catalogs](https://litpress.org/Catalogs) [Media and Publicity](https://litpress.org/Authors/media-publicity) [Spanish/Español](https://litpress.org/Category/SP) [Careers](https://litpress.org/Careers/Index) Sign up for our email updates, save 20% off your next purchase and learn about new product and deals. 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