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Silence gripped the hallowed walls of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, if ever so briefly, as Father Joshua Johnson bowed his head, perhaps saying one final prayer before delivering a homily that sparked emotion, tears and even a few chuckles.

The Office of Black Catholics of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is sponsoring an African American Mass this Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

Bishop Michael G. Duca, center, ordained four permanent deacons during ceremonies Aug. 13 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. The newly ordained deacons, from left: Deacon Tram Phan, Deacon Randall Waguespack, Bishop Duca, Deacon Edward Hanks and Deacon Patrick Witty.

Dr. Lisa Namikas of Baton Rouge has been named the 2022 Catholic Charities USA’s Volunteer of the Year. Namikas was honored at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s annual meeting on Thursday, June 23.

Fr. Robert "Bob" Marcell, a retired priest for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, died on Sunday, July 24, 2022, in hospice care. 

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, through its Prevention on the Go program, will host free cancer screenings, on Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Hispanic Apostolate of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, 6380 Hooper Road.

Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective at the beginning of the 2022 school year.

Read the Diocese of Baton Rouge's report on all of the diocesan synods which took place in the beginning of 2022. The report was compiled by Fr. Jamin David, Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia.

It is my hope that this decision will provide our states’ governments legal framework, motivation, and momentum to pass laws and create services to protect and support both the life of the mother in need and the life of the innocent unborn child. 

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 01 July 2022.

It is with great hope and excitement that on this Solemnity of Corpus Christi I announce, in union with the other Bishops of the United States, the beginning of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative that aims to renew the Church by rekindling a living relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 01 July 22.

Bishop Michael Duca is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Claire L. Willis as the new Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, a position she will assume on 01 July 2022.

Bishop Duca, in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, announces the following appointments for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. In addition to new assignments, he also recognizes those who are retiring or have requested leaves of absence.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, invited the faithful to unite in fasting and prayer

A place called "Mary, Queen of Apostles Chapel" has opened on Poche Road in Ponchatoula, within the territory of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. It falsely claims to be a Catholic place of prayer, and as such, Bishop Michael G. Duca has issued the following statement.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Women’s Giving Circle culminated its inaugural year May 5 with a Mass and gift presentation luncheon in $73,000 was distributed among six non-profit organizations. The Women’s Giving Circle seeks to promote philanthropy that glorifies God, empowers women and compels action. The organization’s goal is to minister to the needs within the Diocese of Baton Rouge and their patron saint, St. Katharine Drexel.

The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization reminds us of the urgent need for prayer and action at this pivotal moment in our country’s history.

God speaks through a variety of mediums, perhaps none as stunningly beautiful as Catholic art. Through artwork, God’s self-revelation and salvation history is communicated, said Jordan Haddad, co-founder of the St. Louis IX Art Society (SL9), said.

The Hispanic Apostolate held its reenactment of the Passion on Good Friday in the parking lot of St. Pius X Church in Baton Rouge. Hispanic community members participate in the reenactment, which is always emotional and heart-wrenching, as well as one of the most spiritually moving in the area. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator