Afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained glassed windows of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on Sunday, Feb. 18, adding to the buoyant atmosphere as the unbaptized elect and baptized candidates and their sponsors, families, and friends gathered for the Rite of Election.
A spark of faith ignited in men as they listened to dynamic speakers, received the Eucharist at Mass, spent time with Jesus in a Eucharistic procession, and prayed over each other at the Men of the Immaculata Conference on Feb. 17 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. As they left with renewed energy – laughing, shaking hands, and clasping each other on the shoulder – it was apparent they were ready to spread the flame of faith to their families, churches, and communities.
Recently, as I went to take a promenade at the Baton Rouge City Park on one bright, sunny & winter morning, I reflected back upon the past and pondered some things during this holy season of Lent. It was a great way to get some healthy activity done and enrich more than just the physical mode to include emotional and spiritual exercises as well.
By supporting Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl Program this Lent, you are supporting people most in need in the Diocese of Baton Rouge as well as other parts of the globe, according to Derrick Rials, Faith and Community Partnerships Coordinator for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
The Catholic schools community in the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the achievements, growth, and values that shape its success during National Catholic Schools Week (CSW) Jan. 28 – Feb. 4. The local schools reflected on the rich legacy of Catholic education and renewed their commitment to teach the faith and work together to build upon the academic excellence, safety, and well-being of their students.
Father Taylor Sanford, chaplain and director of St. Albert Catholic Student Center in Hammond, places ashes on the forehead of Misty Wainwright, wife of SLU President Dr. William Wainwright, who is next in line. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lent season, and Catholics throughout the world receive ashes. Photo courtesy of Richard Meek / The Hammond Daily Star
“Repent and believe in the Gospel” This is one of the exhortations that can be used for the imposition of ashes and they beautifully sum up the meaning and spiritual challenge of the season of Lent. Each year I try to renew in myself an image of the journey I hope to take during the Lenten season. I think I have come up with one that is simple and clearly illustrates our spiritual goal during this season.
The 2024 Lenten Season began in the Diocese of Baton Rouge Feb. 14 with Ash Wednesday Masses and the distribution of ashes. Attendees were encouraged to "Repent and believe in the Gospel" as ashes were distributed on their foreheads in the form of a cross. The ashes were created from palm branches used during the previous year's Palm Sunday Masses. St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge was filled with standing room only as Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated the noon Mass. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Youth of the Diocese of Baton Rouge returned home energized and profoundly changed through the friendships they made, heart-stirring encounters they experienced, and difficulties they offered up in prayer and sacrifice during their pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., for the 2024 March for Life on January 19.
Saved in Hope will take place on Wednesday, May 8, at Drusilla’s Ballroom and will benefit Woman’s New Life Clinic’s life-affirming care in Baton Rouge.
Three dynamic speakers, including the Rev. Larry Richards of the Diocese of Erie and pro-life activist Mark Houck, will headline the 2024 Men of the Immaculata Conference in Baton Rouge on Feb. 17, 2024, at St. George Church.