BVM Annie Credidio, Damien House, Inc., Receives Opus Prize
Annie Credidio, founder of the Damien House in Guayaquil, Ecuador, received the prestigious $100,000 Opus Prize at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 3. Damien House in Guayaquil, Ecuador is a residential hospital, providing care for those living with Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Annie founded the U.S. based charitable organization in 1994. Damien House provides around-the-clock care for 30 residents and free medical help to 700+ poverty-stricken outpatients. It strives to eliminate the stigma of leprosy and to offer its patients a place of joy, support, and community.
The Opus Prize Foundation
The Opus Prize Foundation awards a prize grant to support expansion of the humanitarian efforts of the recipient, and to inspire others to pursue lives of service. The $1 million laureate award and two $100,000 finalist awards comprise one of the world’s largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship. The funds are awarded to the nominee’s organization in honor of his/her work.
For the second time, the Opus Prize foundation chose Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to oversee and host the prize. The university determined the theme, “Inspiring Change Makers” to honor current changemakers and to inspire future ones. University President John Garvy appointed an oversight committee that includes faculty, staff, and students to plan activities and organize the selection process. Committee members identify nominees, select finalists, conduct site visits, determine the awardee, host, and honor the finalists, and inspire the next generation of servant leaders.
The Opus Experience
The ambassador team that travelled to Damien House included Jamie Besendorfer, a business administration undergraduate student; Sina Nofoagatoto’a Jones, a social work graduate student, and Maryann Cusimano Love, a department of politics associate professor/Institute for Policy research fellow.
Of her time with Annie, Jamie shares, “The environment and love that filled the halls of Damien House was like no other . . . They offer not only medical help but the love necessary for those who are seen as untouchables in their society . . . Sister Annie is truly a beam of light . . . I have cherished seeing this all come together – it has truly been a life changing experience.”
The 2022 Opus Finalists
The 2022 finalists come from the United States, Ecuador, and Nigeria. Although their locations are quite different, these ministries share a common purpose: to transform lives.
Community Renewal International—In Honor of Mack McCarter, Shreveport, La.
Damien House, Inc.—In Honor of Annie Credidio, BVM, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Interfaith Mediation Centre—In Honor of Imam Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa and Pastor James Movel Wuye, Kanduna, Nigeria
Opus Prize Week
On Oct. 31, Catholic University campus launched the awards week activities. Nominees arrived to participate in the events, which were designed to challenge the students to think globally, consider a life of service, and create solutions to poverty and injustice. “Lunch Conversations” were held with each of the nominees, allowing nominees to share their story, insight, and passion.
Anticipation grew throughout the week-long celebration and culminated with the Nov. 3 Opus Prize award ceremony. During the ceremony, Annie shared, “My heart is filled with gratitude. The Opus Prize has been an answer to a prayer. When I received that wonderful email, I had just prayed to God to help me meet my budget . . . I am totally amazed at how fast God answers our prayers. It is an honor and a privilege to be here today to know such wonderful, generous people from the Opus Prize Foundation. God must be very proud of all of you.”
She addressed her co-finalists stating, “It’s an honor and a privilege to have known two beautiful people: Pastor James and Mack. I am so touched to be with you on this journey and I hope we can continue this connection, because your energy and life bring energy and life to me.
“This whole week has been an injection of new energy . . . and a witness of God’s power working within all of us can do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine possible. So today, I thank you for the privilege for bringing all of us together from the bottom of my heart there is nothing more than eternal gratitude.”
The Opus Prizes
John Garvy closed the ceremony by awarding the prize, stating, “Having met all of the wonderful finalists over the last few days, I know that all of them are very richly deserving of this award, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
With a drumroll John announced that Community Renewal International received the Laureate prize and the $1,000,000 award. The other finalists, Interfaith Mediation Centre and Damien House, Inc., each received a $100,000 prize.
To learn more about Opus Prize, visit: