Walking in the footsteps of Jesus in the desert and facing our weaknesses and failures during Lent may tempt us to retreat to our comfort zone. Thoughts of "this is too hard," or "surely God didn't mean for me to go through this" may cause us to give up. Formation directors in the Diocese of Baton Rouge urge us to persevere if we want victory in our spiritual lives.

Catholic High School (CHS) possesses the coveted Challenge Week trophy and is on a quest for a "three-peat" in its highly anticipated annual rivalry against St. Joseph Academy (SJA). SJA is looking to block that attempt and take back the trophy. The winner will be the less fortunate who are served by the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (GBRFB).

In a rare alignment of calendars, Lent and the Muslim holy penitential season Ramadan began on the same day and are coinciding this year. Vatican officials and clergy of the Diocese of Baton Rouge urge the faithful to use this opportunity to pray for world peace.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the Rite of Election on Feb. 22 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. The ceremony is an important step for people preparing to enter the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and Children (OCIC) programs. The catechumens, or unbaptized people, who are now the elect, and candidates, or baptized people, are now in their final preparation phase, known as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. This phase will end with their reception of the sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass. A total of 606 people (375 candidates and 231 elect) pledged their desire to enter the Catholic Church. The elect were called forth to the sanctuary before Bishop Michael G. Duca and were recognized. The godparents and assembly gave their affirmation. The candidates pledged their call to continuing conversion. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

The Catholic Church celebrated the feast day of St. Blaise on Feb. 3. St. Blaise was a fourth-century physician and bishop of Sebastea in Armenia (modern-day Turkey) who became a martyr and healer. According to tradition, St. Blaise was on his way to prison when he encountered a child choking on a fish bone. St. Blaise touched the boy's throat and dislodged the bone, saving his life. That miracle prompted his patronage of throat health, leading to the Feb. 3 blessing of the throats with crossed candles. Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge joined other churches worldwide in this tradition. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Graduates of the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge are known for influencing society worldwide by leading, serving, and sharing the Gospel Message. The Diocese of Baton Rouge recognized the excellence of some of these alumni in its annual Distinguished Graduates Awards Dinner on Jan. 26.

Hundreds of people braved a cold morning despite ominous reports of an impending winter storm and affirmed their love for mothers and their unborn babies at Louisiana Life March South.

Bishop Michael G. Duca announced that priests of the Diocese of Baton Rouge will take part in their annual retreat February 2–5, 2026, at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Grand Coteau. During this time, some weekday Masses and funeral Mass schedules may be adjusted, and the faithful are asked for their prayers and understanding as priests focus on spiritual renewal.

Sisters of St. Joseph Kathleen Babin, Anna Schellhaas, Evelyn Mee, and Dianne Fanguy have devoted a combined 295 years to serving the "dear neighbor" in the church.

With temperatures in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas expected to plunge into the 20s and 30s this weekend, and due to the forecast possibility of winter precipitation, there will inevitably be impacts throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge. This post contains important information regarding parish and school closures and other information related to operations due to inclement weather.

St. Paul writes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Owen Tabor, 15, was popular, never bullied, good looking, fun loving, athletic, and came from a stable home with a family rooted in faith that loved and supported him. He was a graduate of St. Jean Vianney School and was a good student at St. Michael High School. When he took his life on April 29, 2023, two weeks from his 16th birthday, his family and friends were filled with heartache.

The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis and the Office of Hispanic Ministry welcomed a catechist’s mentor program, the Franciscan At Home Curriculum.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University celebrated the completion of its newly renovated School of Health Professions Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 7 at the Health Professions Building on campus.

A Christmas message from Bishop Duca

Stephen Sclafani received the gold Congressional Award in a Washington, D.C. ceremony. The award the highest honor a youth civilian can achieve through the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

In today's tumultuous world, many families seek to build a domestic church with a foundation built upon rock. Through a new consecration to the Holy Family, they have St. Joseph as their master builder, Mary as their nurturing presence, and Jesus as their pathway to a heavenly home.

As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, “God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed, and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest” (Dilexi te, §16). Bishop Duca issues a statement regarding Mass obligations during this climate of fear and anxiety currently experienced by many in our faith communities.