At his weekly general audience on Wednesday, 28 December in Rome, Pope Francis asked the faithful for "a special prayer for emeritus Pope Benedict" noting that he was "very sick." The faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge are invited to join Pope Francis and Bishop Duca, heeding the Holy Father's advice to "ask the Lord to console him and sustain him in his witness of love for the church until the very end."  

Do you feel it?! Do you feel that unique joy and hope that surrounds us in our celebration of the Savior’s birth? It is not a logical hope because it comes in spite of the difficulties of life and the upheavals we see throughout the world. At times the world seems like a dead stump and as hard as we look there is no sprout, no hope. Why be so hopeful? We are hopeful because we do not hope in the world. We are hopeful because our God does not allow us to shut him out completely. He finds a space to enter our lives even if it means entering through a stable. Our Christmas joy is found in our HOPE IN THE LORD who does not, did not give up on us. The tree of Jesse that appears dead, gives life. The ancient prophesies for which people of faith waited centuries, are fulfilled. Where it seemed all was lost a Savior is born and the love of God is not held back. In spite of our troubles and concerns, we have hope in our God who is Emmanuel, God with us and born for us this Christmas Day. I pray that this hope will fill you and your family with joy this Christmas. I also pray that you have a prosperous, healthy and faith filled New Year. Hope in the Lord and Merry Christmas.

Due to the threat of severe weather, all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge will be closed on December 14, 2022. Please stay safe!

Bishop Duca addresses the Faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge about the reception of Holy Communion from the Chalice.

Father Michael Alello, pastor at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge, briefly addresses the crowd before opening the doors of the renovated church Oct. 13. Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated the Mass of Dedication, which was attended by a standing room only crowd.

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