Lent is a good time be awakened by Jesus Christ. The Gospel readings for the Second and Third Sundays in Lent highlight powerful “pauses” with the divine word, as the threads the Old Testament covenants are woven to fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the fount of living water. 

Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were filled with people on Ash Wednesday, March 2, for the distribution of ashes to mark the beginning of the Lenten Season. Catholics observe Lent as a six-week period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving to prepare for the celebration of Easter, when Christ rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God. Pictured is Father Michael Miceli, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Baton Rouge, foreground, and St. Patrick deacon assistant Deacon Pete Walsh distributing ashes at an Ash Wednesday Mass at the church. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Seeds for an innovative educational approach unlike anything seen in Baton Rouge at the time were planted on a steamy August night in 2014.

Br. Lazarus answers Lord’s call

Kansas City Chiefs’ placekicker Harrison Butker, center, shares a laugh with his college roommate Grant Aasen, right, and Father Chris Decker during the Men of the Immaculata 2022 Baton Rouge Catholic Men’s Conference on March 5 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. Butker, author Dr. Brant Pitre and Father Todd Lloyd, pastor at Immaculate Conception Church in Lakeland, spoke during the daylong conference, which carried the theme “Behold the Man.” Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated Mass and Vocations Director Father Josh Johnson led the rosary. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator  

Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were filled with people on Wednesday for the distribution of ashes to mark the beginning of the Lenten Season. Catholics observe Lent as a six-week period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving to prepare for the celebration of Easter, when Christ rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God. Pictured is Father Michael Miceli, pastor of St Patrick Church in Baton Rouge, foreground, and St. Patrick deacon assistant Deacon Pete Walsh distributing ashes at an Ash Wednesday Mass at the church. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator