By Rayanne Bennett, Associate Publisher
Two popes, a bishop and a group of joyful Catholic school children were the top vote getters in The Monitor Magazine’s first-ever Readers’ Choice BEST COVER SURVEY.
For the first time since launching the magazine in 2019 we asked readers and those ministry leaders with whom we work to tell us their top three favorite covers published in 2025. Considering that this was a brand new campaign that ran for just a few weeks through the height of the busy Christmas season, we were delighted to get a respectable number of votes and lots of positive and constructive feedback on the magazine this past year.
Participants were asked to give us their first, second or third choices. Some did and others selected just one. Out of the 14 covers published in 2025, the one that received the most votes, by far, was November’s cover: MILESTONES IN EDUCATION. This cover, which ironically was the only one that included our publisher – Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. – garnered 30% of all votes. As well-liked as our Bishop is, we suspect that the extraordinary response had a bit more to do with the 15 smiling students of St. Mary Academy in Manahawkin.
Kudos to St. Mary Parish and Academy for encouraging the members of their community to vote in the survey. We greatly appreciate your getting so many of your people to vote and helping to build awareness about the diocesan magazine.
The second and third place covers offer a snapshot of what an impactful and historic year this has been. Coming in at second place was ‘PEACE BE WITH YOU,’ the cover of the special issue in May that captured the moment when Pope Leo XIV first greeted the throngs of faithful just after his election as pontiff. The Pope Leo cover received 14% of the votes.
Coming in right behind the second place choice was the regular May issue cover, ‘WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT’, which depicted Pope Francis and commemorated his life and legacy. This cover received 13% of all votes.
Taken as a whole, the collection of 2025 covers tells a moving story about the Catholic experience in the Diocese of Trenton. We were profoundly impacted by the major international news that unfolded this year, as demonstrated by the two pope covers. At the same time, many of our covers captured special and joyful moments in this local Church – the centrality of faith in our Catholic schools; the Ordination of a priest; working the parish carnival; celebrating the canonization of a young saint; coming together by the thousands for a Jubilee pilgrimage, and proudly exhibiting a newly-created Advent wreath.
The covers tell a story of a full, rich, diverse and moving year in faith.
And we are privileged to have bought them to you, as well as all that came behind them in each of the 14 issues we published.
The READERS’ CHOICE BEST COVER SURVEY was intended as a fun and interesting way for us to hear from you, our readers. We appreciate your taking the time to vote, as well as the comments you shared. It helps us to know how what we do affects you.
Here’s to another year of historic, joyful, moving and community-building covers. May God bless you all!
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
–Among the respondents were clergy, principals, Chancery staff, parishioners, school families and subscribers.
–Bishop O’Connell’s top vote was the July special issue – LIVES OF FAITH – which featured an illustration of Christ and his disciples walking at the water’s edge.
–Each of the 14 covers received at least several votes.
–Monitor team members gave their top pick support to five different covers, but the January 2025 issue – A NEW ERA – depicting Pope Francis in his wheelchair as he was poised to open the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica received the most votes from individuals who have a role in producing the magazine.
COMMENTS SHARED
BY VOTERS
Some voters explained their reasons or offered other comments:
–Maureen Fitzsimmons: “This is a great idea! The Monitor always makes my day! Thank you all!”
–Denise Contino: #1 January 2025 “A New Era of Hope” – This cover powerfully conveys hope and humility, capturing Pope Francis entering one of the Holy Doors in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. His presence in a wheelchair offers a profound witness to the dignity of life from womb to tomb and reflects the reality of suffering within human experience. Rather than diminishing the moment, this image deepens its meaning, reminding us of that suffering, when united with faith, can be offered back to God and become a source of grace and hope for the Church and the world.
#2 May 2025 “Peace Be with you all” – This cover radiates peace and reassurance in the wake of the death of Pope Francis. The election of Pope Leo XIV brings renewed hope to the Church and to the world. It serves as a gentle reminder that prayer and humility are gifts shared by all, from the Pope to the entire People of God.
#3 “Come Lord Jesus” – This cover highlights the vital role of the family in nurturing and passing on the faith. The image of two young girls reflects a family that places Christ at the center of daily life, embodying the Church’s understanding of the family as the domestic Church. The Advent wreath they hold will serve as a meaningful symbol and centerpiece in their home, drawing the family into prayerful anticipation of the birth of Christ.
–Peter Leonard: “All of the magazine covers are meaningful. Please continue with this high-quality resource. Thank you!”
–Mary Liz Ivins: I vote for the January edition – A New Era of Hope. Dramatic image with heartfelt message.”
–Carol Olivieri: Thanks for the chance to vote for my favorite covers. This was a very unusual, if not unique, year where we saw the May edition remember Pope Francis and then the special second May edition for Pope Leo XIV. I would vote for those as my #1 and #2 choices. My #3 choice is the January cover. At the time, I wouldn’t have predicted that but knowing what I know almost a year later, the meaning of that cover is more poignant.
–Eileen Fagan: I’m grateful for my faith and all your communications!
–Linda Calandra: First choice is the December cover – As a retired teacher, I am partial to children being a part of our society and our faith. They are our future!
Second choice is the first May cover – We were blessed with Pope Francis and his innovative and modern thinking and practices. As our society continues to change, so must the thinking, practices, and inclusion of our Church.
Third choice is the second May cover – Pope Francis’ successor Pope Leo XIV, who continues the practices set by Pope Francis AND also that he is the first American born Pope ever!
–Ana Chicaiza: I had a hard time picking only the top 3 as there were many that were beautiful. Here are my top 3:
1) A New Era of Hope
2) Peace be with you all
3) Triumph for All Ages
–Peg Kowalski: Each month, the covers are beautiful but in reviewing all of them, here we go!
1). Pope Francis – May
2). Pope Leo – May
3). Jubilee Year of Hope – January