• The DIEKMANN AWARD began in 2003. It is named in honor of the liturgical giant Benedictine Father Godfrey Diekmann of Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville Minnesota. Fr. Diekmann was a founding member of the NAAL; he died in 2002. This Award is intended to be given occasionally to persons who have made a contribution to the liturgical life of the world; normally it is given to those who are not members of the North American Academy of Liturgy.

2003

In 2003 the Diekmann award was given to Edward Sovik, an eminent liturgical designer.

The text of the award read:

Assembled in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Indianapolis,
the North American Academy of Liturgy
with delight presents this first award
in memory of Godfrey Diekmann OSB
to Edward Anders Sovik.

With critical eye and gentle hand
he has crafted spaces that call the assembled church
 to its task:

God's word proclaimed,
God's praises sung,
the world transformed with beauty and with justice.

Given this feast of Epiphany, 2003