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Bishop Michael G. Duca and Vicar General Jamin David visited and celebrated Mass at St. Francis Xavier School in Baton Rouge on March 28. Bishop Duca’s words during Mass, along with positives words to the students in the classroom, were a blessing to the students, teachers, and staff, according to SFX School Principal Christopher Rogers. Photos provided by Father Jamin David

What a month March has been! We hope you enjoy this month's edition of The Collect, which includes articles about Lent, Prison Ministry, and more!

Members of the Hispanic/Latino community who are preparing to enter the church were welcomed during the Rite of Election at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge on March 16. This was the first time for the Hispanic/Latino Rite of Election to be held at the cathedral. There are 132 people (91 baptized candidates, 41 unbaptized catechumens) who will be received into full communion with the church at the Easter Vigil Mass on April 19. Photos by Victor Samuel Lopez Torres

This year’s Men of the Immaculata Conference challenged men to accompany people broken by sin and spread the Gospel message in a country in which many reject God.

A friendly competition can raise the Lenten practice of almsgiving “to the next level.” Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s Academy, both in Baton Rouge, are doing so through March 26 in a Can Week collection competition

Members of the Ladies Guild of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge hosted a St. Joseph Altar during the weekend of March 15-16. The altar featured a statue of St. Joseph at the head, candles, figurines, flowers, fruits, vegetables, bread, cake, wine, and other items around the altar. The display created a beautiful, lush, and overflowing effect. The Ladies Auxiliary prepared bags for the children with food and treats, along with items for the adults to take home after each Mass. St. Paul Pastor Father Arockiam Arockiam SVD blessed the altar. Photos provided by Desiree Spann

To celebrate the feast day of St. Joseph, St. on March 19 Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge celebrated a Mass and hosted a St. Joseph Cathedral Altar. Many people prayed before the altar, which was prepared by the Ladies of the Cathedral. Father Cary Bani, pastor of the cathedral, blessed the altar at the end of Mass and the public was invited to eat a Lenten St. Joseph Day meal. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge held its annual Count Your Blessings Supper – To Geaux! on March 14 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge. Chef John Folse (left) prepared a Lenten soup of bisque of spinach, artichoke, and crab. Entertaining guests with song and conversation as they drove through to pick up their meals were, from left, Folse, Bishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench, Bishop Michael G. Duca, and John Pastorek of Channel 2, WBRZ. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

People interested in or actively involved in prison ministry learned about serving “the whole ecclesial body of Christ” during a day of fellowship and formation on Feb. 22. The Diocese of Baton Rouge Office of Life, Peace, and Justice sponsored the event, which took place at St. George Church in Baton Rouge.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge held its Rite of Election at St. Joseph Cathedral on March 9. There are 412 people (166 elect, or unbaptized individuals, and 246 candidates, or baptized individuals) scheduled to enter the church during Easter Vigil Masses at parishes in the diocese. Photos by Nicole Jones | Digital Media Manager Diocese of Baton Rouge

As we enter into the season of Lent this month I think we should ask ourselves whether we are more influenced by our faith in Jesus or by the secular culture that surrounds us.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge reports that Deacon Francis Minor, a retired deacon of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with residence in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

As a pastor and confessor, Father Joshua Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge, helps penitents identify their core vices. By addressing those vices, they can find freedom from them. This fueled his desire to give people a practical tool to do this on their own, motivating him to write “The Pocket Guide to Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins.”

Norris “Ted” Melancon, Jr., 96, and his wife, Jane Witty Melancon, 93, have lived life abundantly with many cherished memories of family, faith, and friends. They continue making memories in their marriage as they celebrate their 76th wedding anniversary this year. They were recognized during a special Mass held by the Diocese of Baton Rouge at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops (LCCB) recently made a statement on immigration in the United States of America and called for hope for immigrants.

The liturgical season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5. During Lent Catholics practice fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a time of reflection and penitence in preparation for Easter. The season is considered a time of spiritual renewal focused on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were filled with people gathered to receive the distribution of ashes on their foreheads. At St. Joseph Cathedral Bishop Michael G. Duca and Father Cary Bani, pastor of the cathedral, celebrated Mass, during which ashes were distributed. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator