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The College of Cardinals announced Monday that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.

On April 22, Baton Rouge Fire Department Station 12 assisted St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge in honoring Pope Francis upon his death. The fire department hung the papal colors in 2013 when he was elected, and it hung the black colors 12 years later to mark his death. Photos provided St. Joseph Cathedral

Ashton Kennedy was drawn to the Catholic Church but held back from entering because of unanswered questions. But with the support of family members who had entered the church and a "posthumous nudge" from Father Mark Beard to “get off the fence,” Kennedy took the leap of faith.

People in the Diocese of Baton Rouge gathered at their church parishes for an intense time of prayer during Holy Week and the Triduum, which culminated in the celebration of Easter. The week began with Palm Sunday processionals on Palm Sunday. Photo by Debbie Shelley |The Catholic Commentator. At the Chrism Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Bishop Michael G. Duca blessed the sacred oils for the upcoming year and the priests renewed their priestly vows. Photo by Nicole Jones. On Holy Thursday at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge, Father Arockiam Arockiam SVD, pastor, kissed the feet of representatives of the parish in the ceremony commemorating Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet. Photo by Desiree Spann. On Good Friday, people remembered the plight of the homeless and marginalized during a Way of the Cross sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photo by Debbie Shelley. At Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, Father Matthew Graham, pastor, baptized people entering the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Masses. Photos by Taylor Edwards Photography

Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge kicked off Holy Week on April 13 with jubilant Palm Sunday processions. The congregations waved their palm branches and declared “hosanna” to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

When homeless women discover they are pregnant they are often scared and don’t know where to go for help. The structured and supportive environment at Sanctuary for Life allows these women to set and achieve personal goals in work, school, and life. Their fears are then replaced with hope.

Many parents avoid talking to their children and teens about sex and contraception because they feel uneasy talking about the topic or think, “my child would never …” The realities of today, however, show that if they don’t talk about it, their children will learn from other sources parents may not trust.

Women in crisis pregnancy situations have a critical need to know they are not alone. Walking with Moms in Need travels with them so they can care for their children and see possibilities for their futures.

When people stroll through the St. Joseph cemetery, with its gnarled moss-covered oak trees, is they are browsing through the pages of an “open history book.” Stories emerge of the society, culture, families, and people which have shaped the Baton Rouge area. The 200th anniversary of the cemetery is being celebrated with events scheduled throughout this year.

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

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 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.”