The liturgical season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5. During Lent Catholics practice fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a time of reflection and penitence in preparation for Easter. The season is considered a time of spiritual renewal focused on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were filled with people gathered to receive the distribution of ashes on their foreheads. At St. Joseph Cathedral Bishop Michael G. Duca and Father Cary Bani, pastor of the cathedral, celebrated Mass, during which ashes were distributed. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

The Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Schools Office hosted its Annual Arts and Talent Showcase on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Catholic Life Center Ballroom. Attendees of the event perused through various mediums of art and listened to music performed by diocesan schools, including St. Michael the Archangel High School in Baton Rouge, St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Hammond, Most Blessed Sacrament School in Baton Rouge, and Redemptorist St. Gerard School in Baton Rouge. The showcase is traditionally held during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1, but was postponed due to a winter storm that blanketed the state with snow.

It is commonly believed that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was created as a catechetical tool to teach children about the Catholic faith. Drawing from this rich tradition, Nicole Jones, digital media manager for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, created a short video for the 2023 Christmas season that would share the truths of the Catholic faith in an engaging way. In recognition of her work, Ascension Press named Jones and her video a winner in its 2024 Truth and Beauty Awards.

Liturgical musicians Dr. Darrell and Dr. Darnell St. Romain, African American twins, hold different positions and sets of expertise within the church. Yet they have the same passion for helping parishes become vibrant faith communities through music.

Several years ago, a Presbyterian minister I know challenged his congregation to open its doors and its heart more fully to the poor. Initially the congregation responded with enthusiasm and a number of programs were introduced to invite people from the less-privileged economic areas of the city, including a number of street-people, to come to their church.

On Feb. 16, 2025 Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated with the Baton Rouge Order of Discalced Carmelites Secular its 40th anniversary in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The event was held at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge. The original celebration was held with then Bishop Stanley J. Ott on Feb. 16, 1985. The OCDS was granted "canonical status" on Nov. 14, 1984, but the celebration was scheduled when Bishop Ott and the OCDS’ provincial and his delegate could attend. Pictured with Bishop Duca is Frances Locker, OCDS, one of the order’s original members in Baton Rouge. Frances related some of the order’s history so Bishop Duca would get to know them better. The bishop blessed the brochures they printed and plan to distribute in parishes. Those interested in joining the OCDS can email DiscalcedCarmelitesBatonRouge@gmail.com or visit discalcedcarmelitesofbatonrouge.com. Photos provided by Frances Locker

There was a lot to celebrate in February! We hope you enjoy this month's edition of The Collect, which includes articles about Catholic Schools Week, the March for Life, the Men of the Immaculata Conference, and more!

The religious communities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have a variety of charisms and expressions of living their faith as a community. They came together to celebrate their common love for serving people at the Jubilee and Consecrated Life Mass at Ollie Steele Burden Manor Chapel in Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops oppose restarting the process for the issuance of death warrants to execute human beings in Louisiana stating that we should "promote a culture of life, not death, in this great State we love."

For the past couple of years, the Men of the Immaculata (MOTI) conferences have focused on the Eucharist as the source and summit of the faith. At this year’s conference, the men will be “sent out” to proclaim the Gospel.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's Board of Trustees announces the appointment of David M. Bellar as the fifth President of the University after a national search. He will assume his new role on July 14, 2025.

Early in the morning on January 20, about 400 youth and adults departed on buses from various points in the Baton Rouge diocese for a pilgrimage to the nation’s capital.

Crowned with a tiara and wearing a sash, Lorraine Metternich Bourg was the “queen” of her family and friends gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday on Feb. 2. The neighborhood was packed with cars, and an overflow crowd of people mingled in her home and the front and back yards.

Signs and symbols have always been significant in anyone’s faith walk. The Star of David for Jews, the Crescent for Muslims and the Cross for Christians to name a few.

The theme of the 2025 National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, was “United in Faith and Community.” On Jan. 29, the schools of the Baton Rouge Diocese joined together at St. Joseph Cathedral to celebrate the week as one community of faith, centered on the Eucharist.

On January 27, the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Baton Rouge recognized its students as well as the educator, administrator, and pastor who have excelled in serving their community and living the Gospel values at the 2025 Distinguished Graduates Award Dinner.

On Feb. 3, the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. It is said the governor of Cappadocia imprisoned St. Blaise in a cave outside Sebaste. A mother came to the bishop, asking him to cure her son, who was choking on the fishbone, stuck in his throat. St. Blaise saved the boy with his prayer and with the sign of the cross. Therefore, St. Blaise is known as the patron saint of throat illnesses, wool combers, and animals. Many churches celebrate the feast day with a blessing of the throats. Parishioners and students at Our Lady of Mercy Church and School in Baton Rouge received the blessings after the day’s Masses. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Muchas personas pueden tener dificultades para creer que “las cosas buenas están por venir”. Darryl Ducote, LCSW, director del Departamento de Matrimonio y Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge, habló recientemente sobre la capacidad del cerebro para cambiar y crecer. Esto hace que las personas tengan esperanza frente a la adversidad.

Days after nearly 8 inches of snow fell in Baton Rouge during a record-breaking winter storm for Louisiana, hundreds of people marched at the state capitol area for the unborn. The theme of the January 26 Louisiana Life March South event was “Every Life Worth Living.”