The Catholic Library Association is excited to announce Fr. Patrick Martin as the 2017 Aggiornamento Award Recipient. Father Patrick A. Martin is a missionary priest who has been traveling the world for 30 years, spreading the word about human suffering. He was born in Maine, the 17th in a family of 22 children. He was struck by meningitis at the age of nine, losing his sight, his memory, and his ability to walk. With a lot of help, he relearned what he had lost and regained the use of his legs, but still only has pinpoint vision. In 1969 he first learned of the resources that were available for blind people. He went to the library and started reading recorded books. Eventually he earned a degree in English Literature and a Master’s Degree in Library Science. Father Pat now visits parishes all over the world and presents Parish Mission Programs, many of which are recorded live as they are given and are available to everyone on the internet. The Award will be presented to Fr. Martin at the 2017 CLA Convention in conjunction with the National Catholic Educational Association Convention and Expo being held April 18-20, 2017 in St. Louis, MO.