Three Diocese of Baton Rouge Students of the Year joined other accomplished student from the state at the 2026 Louisiana Catholic Schools Student of the Year Ceremony.

Bishop Duca announces the canonical appointments of the two men to be ordained as transitional deacons on 20 June 2026 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

Many new Catholics experience the satisfaction of looking back and seeing the beauty of how the pieces of their story fit together for their entry into the church.

For the second time in seven months, a sister of St. Joseph of Baton Rouge has been "dubbed royalty" with a tierra and sash to mark her 100th birthday.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge joined in the Catholic Church's celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ beginning on Holy Thursday, April 2, through Easter Sunday, April 5.

On March 31, priests, religious, and laity filled St. Joseph Cathedral to capacity as the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated its annual Chrism Mass, held each year during Holy Week. During the ancient Mass, holy oils were blessed which richly signify God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s presence, and strength being poured out onto the faithful and into the world. These oils are used in several sacraments throughout the year. The priests of the diocese also renewed their sacred vows.

As Catholics listen to a Sunday Mass homily, they may think, 'That was a nice message. That was good for back then.' But they don't think God is speaking to them personally,” said Kevin McCall, a board member of The Mission on the Mountain (TMOTM), a Catholic lay ministry focused on helping individuals to live out their faith.

On Palm Sunday, March 29, the Catholic Church began its observance of Holy Week with the commemoration of Jesus' triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. The churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge marked the occasion with processions of palms and the reading of Christ's Passion. At St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge the congregation gathered outdoors to begin the procession and proceeded into the church. Pictured is Father Michael Alello blessing the palm branches. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Baton Rouge, LA – Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University proudly celebrated the inauguration of David M. Bellar, Ph.D., as its fifth president on March 26, 2026, at St. Joseph Cathedral, marking a historic moment in the university’s continued growth and mission-driven future.

As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we prepare to enter the central liturgical experience of the Catholic faith, according to Father Tom Ranzino. Father Ranzino is the director of the office of worship of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

After many years of absence, St. Michael High School in Baton Rouge’s (SMHS) St. Joseph Altar resumed this year with strong support from students.

Church parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the Feast Day of St. Joseph with St. Joseph Altars. A St. Joseph Altar is a Sicilian Catholic tradition of building a food altar, typically on March 19, as an act of thanksgiving for favors granted and to petition for special needs. The altar is a charitable display designed to feed the poor, honoring St. Joseph through meatless, symbolic, and religious-themed food. Surplus food is donated to local charities to help freed those in need. St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge Pastor, Father Cary Bani, blessed the Cathedral's St. Joseph Altar on March 19 after the noon Mass. Many Mass attendees stopped by the altar to take pictures and pray, and accepted the Cathedral's invitation to enjoy a meatless lunch. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

On March 7, more than 200 middle school students in grades 6-8 in the Diocese of Baton Rouge gathered for the second annual ARISE Middle School Rally. The event was held at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Greenwell Springs.

Bishop Duca is excited to announce the new Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools will be Ms. Jill Grabert. Her official start date will be July 1, 2026.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the Rite of Election for the Latino/Hispanic community March 8 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. During this service a total of 136 people (102 candidates and 34 elect) pledged their desire to enter the Catholic Church. According to the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the overall number of catechumens and candidates who attended the three Rites of Elections this year increased by 194 from last year. 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 Victor Lopez

Simple moments have been the most memorable and treasured ones for Jacob and Oceania Scardina over their 70 years of marriage.

St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge has made the strategic decision to permanently close its Plank Road Thrift Store as part of a broader effort to enhance and streamline services for the community

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.