Jesus commands the sea and sky to calm as He is awoken by His disciples, but just as this storm takes many forms in the shapes of busyness and anxiety, so too does the stillness and peace the Lord speaks over the restless waves. Jesus whispers “Quiet, be still,” over our hearts.

The Catholic Commentator won 12 overall awards, including General Excellence, in the annual Louisiana Press Association Better Newspaper Competition. The Commentator won the General Excellence Award for the second time in three years, and a year ago was awarded Newspaper of the Year.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University received approval to move forward on its first major building project in the history of the university. The 75,000 square foot, three-story building will be dedicated to better accommodate student learning and development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. St. Francis Hall represents the initial step in the development of the university’s campus master plan. Located at the corner of Brittany and Picardy Avenues, the building will serve as the front door to a cohesive and identifiable campus. 

atican-issued revisions to the Code of Canon Lawhave tightened up clerical sexual abuse penalties, are holding lay men and women responsible for their own inappropriate behavior and have also addressed the recent development of an increasing number of women allegedly claiming they have been ordained priests, which could be considered canonically criminal.  Pope Francis’  announced the revisions in apostolic constitution “Pascite gregem Dei,” (“Tend the Flock of God”), released June 1. These revisions to Book VI of the Code are the most significant changes to the legal framework of the Catholic Church since 1983.

Would it make sense for a farmer to go through all the trouble of scattering the seed, tilling the soil and providing the water for a crop that he did not intend to enjoy in its fullness? Of course that would not be the case! My challenge for you, no matter how difficult this may sound, is to trust in the transformation. God offers this transformation to us as long as we remain connected to the “vine.” This is how we receive His nutrients. Make no mistake, most of the time this is not a pretty process, but it is a necessary process in order for us to

Historic rainfall the past few weeks left water lapping at the doors, and in some cases, seeping into homes in several areas of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Easter season traditionally ends with Pentecost Sunday. We celebrated Pentecost two weeks ago. It is a major feast of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year.

Eleven years after hearing an initial calling from the Lord, Father Taylor Sanford was ordained to the priesthood May 22 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. 

Before assuming his first assignment as parochial vicar at St. George Church in Baton Rouge on July 1, Father David Dawson will take a sailing trip in Florida. An avid fisherman, his recreational time on the water speaks of his sailing into his vocation as a fisher of men.

Father Danny Roussel found himself at a crossroad, a brief pause at the intersection of the future and the past, with the present only offering a detour.

Do the saints really hear our prayers?

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael G. Duca announced the following appointments effective July 1: 

St. Paul admonished the early Christians in his Letter to the Philippians to be humble, “each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.” Marcus Roberts follows this principle by making sure all the parts come together for his church, school and community.

Bishop Robert E. Tracy, right, mails the first issue of The Catholic Commentator at a Baton Rouge post office in 1963. The paper’s first publication was Feb. 8, 1963. File photo | The Catholic Commentator

Sacrifice.  Most of us are familiar with the term “sacrifice,” yet do we fully comprehend the meaning? Many people struggle to understand the call to sacrifice. At times we unknowingly sacrifice for others. Other times we pay more attention as we make promises of sacrifice during penitential seasons, such as Lent and Advent.