On Oct.8, Bishop Provost, bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, presided at the Mass for the Institution of Lectors. The Rite of Institution of Lectors is one of the ministries a seminarian must receive before ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. Each seminarian receiving the ministry of lector was instructed by Bishop Provost to, “Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.” Pictured, from left, are Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, rector/president of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Bishop Provost, and Austin Duhé, a seminarian for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photos provided by Notre Dame Seminary

Tucked within the campus of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Baton Rouge is a serene garden. Where neighborhood children once romped and participated in catechetical activities, the space now serves as a space for prayer and speaks of the legacy of sisters Kathleen Bahlinger CJS and Barbara Bahlinger.

Turning to Mary as "Our Lady of Sorrows" helps people find solace, understanding, and grace during times of suffering.

The St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge students and faculty roared with "cougar pride" when they learned they are a repeat Blue Ribbon Award winning school.

Behind the graves at St. Joseph Cemetery are stories of love, war, tragedy, creativity, young lives cut short, and influencers in the history of Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge was nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award. The U.S. Department of Education has recognized the school as meeting the criteria for designation as an Exemplary High Performing School. The achievement was celebrated when the announcement was made before students and faculty on Oct. 1. Pictured during the ceremony are, from left, Father Trey Nelson, pastor St. Jude Church in Baton Rouge, Michelle Gardiner, St. Jude principal, and Dr. Pattie Davis, superintendent of schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Photos provided by St. Jude School

In what pro-life advocates describe as "a long time coming," Planned Parenthood shuttered the doors of its remaining facilities in Louisiana, signaling the exit of the abortion industry from the state.

Bishop Michael Duca has announced that the annual Continuing Formation Days for priests will be held October 6–9, 2025, in New Orleans. These days of renewal support their ongoing growth in ministry, and parish schedules may be adjusted during this time. Bishop Duca invites the faithful to pray for and support our priests in their formation.

St. Michael High School's new Sword and Shield coffee shop is the hub where students, faculty, and guests find a friendly atmosphere while they recharge their day. People line up for a cup of joe and sweet treat to smooth the tangles out of a rough day, sharpen their focus to take exams, and socialize.

Bishop Duca joins other bishops around the United States in congratulating the faithful of the Archdiocese of New Orleans on the appointment of Most Reverend James Checchio as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Pope Leo XIV.

In the 1870s missionary priest Father John Scollard came from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to minister to Catholics in the area stretching from Kenner to Amite and Clinton.

In 2018 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued their pastoral letter on racism, “Open Wide Your Hearts.” The document called people to have an enduring love for people of different backgrounds.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge informs the faithful of the death of Fr. Tom Duhe, a retired priest of our diocese, who passed away on 15 September 2025. Before his retirement, he served as Pastor of St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge. He also served a variety of other parishes and ministries.

In today's world, as people spread the Gospel message, people may rebuff them and demand to "show me the reason for your hope." Catechesis and evangelization require a knowledge and love of the Lord that speaks of a hope rooted in trust and confidence in God.

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina taught people unforgettable lessons about how fragile life is and how strong human and community bonds can be in response. The Baton Rouge community gathered to remember, give thanks, and share messages of hope during a service hosted by the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton (IFGBR).

During this Jubilee Year of Hope people may abandon their journeys or wander off because of the need for healing. Defeatist thoughts such as, "I can't," "This situation (or person) will never change," and "I need a quick fix" can lead them into being spiritually stuck. Spiritual direction and healing retreats can help these people break through such barriers to freedom.

As New Orleans sat in the bullseye of Hurricane Katrina, which loomed as a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, highways were jammed with people fleeing the area. Archbishop Emeritus Alfred C. Hughes, then Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, evacuated to St. Joseph Abbey in St. Benedict.

Bishop Duca expresses the prayerful support and solidarity of the people of the Diocese of Baton Rouge with the victims of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Each year, hundreds of people stop by to light a candle and kneel to pray at the Chapel of the Madonna, known as "the smallest church in the world." Several share stories of God’s mighty power in answering the prayers they offered to him there.

Crowned with a tiara and wearing a sash emblazoned with the words “100 & fabulous,” Sister Anna Schellhaas CSJ emerged with her fellow Sisters of St. Joseph after morning prayer. With her luminous trademark smile she greeted the many people gathered at the Hundred Oaks Center in Baton Rouge to celebrate her centennial birthday, which was Aug. 9.