Delaney Johnson Receives 2026 Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award

Delaney Johnson has been named the 2026 recipient of the Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award, presented by Pax Christi Illinois and the Diocese of Joliet Peace and Justice Ministry.

The award honors graduating seniors from Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Joliet who demonstrate, through their words and actions, a commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and the dignity of every human person.

Johnson was selected for her compassion, leadership, and dedication to serving others. Her teachers described her as “a blessing in our lives” and someone who is “always willing to help those in need.” They also praised her for providing “her peers with sound advice, moral guidance and unconditional love.”

“She is an incredible young woman,” one teacher wrote, noting that Johnson is “the first to volunteer.” Faculty members also recognized the kindness and compassion she shows toward “the less fortunate.”

The Instrument of Peace Award includes a commemorative plaque and a one-year membership in Pax Christi.

Pax Christi International is a Catholic peace movement founded after World War II to promote reconciliation and peace. Its name, Latin for “Peace of Christ,” reflects its mission of fostering justice, compassion, and nonviolence throughout the world. Pax Christi organizations now serve in more than 30 countries and include more than 60,000 members worldwide.