St. Ignatius of Loyola offers help when we are "soaring through the highs" and "sinking through the lows" of life so we can utilize them for spiritual growth.

As part of a series of renovations of its thrift stores, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge (SVdP) celebrated the re-opening of its Starring Lane thrift store.

July is known as the "month of married saints" because the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of several saints couples during that month. Their lives inspire and guide couples today who strive to build their own "domestic church."

Shopping for new school uniforms and shoes, getting haircuts, and getting back on a schedule signals a new school year is about to begin. Moving forward with a positive rhythm, rather than a strict minute-by-minute countdown can help children succeed in school, say Catholic school administrators in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Baton Rouge St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) is helping students of financially stressed families to positively begin the 2026-2027 school year.

Bishop Duca addresses the faithful of Baton Rouge and gives his guidance regarding recent schismatic acts of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.

Pope Leo XIV extends his heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) Student Government Association has established a fund for a new student life center at the university. The SGA committed $25,000 to support the Portiuncula during a signing ceremony on June 25.

June’s stories reflect faith in action, rooted in the love of Christ. In this issue of The Collect, witness the joy of new beginnings through the ordination of two transitional deacons, the power of prayer as our nation is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the many ways our diocesan community is bringing hope to others. From serving neighbors in Mid City and expanding outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, to a parish becoming a refuge during storms and pilgrims walking in faith, these stories remind us that Christ calls each of us to be His hands and feet.

A priest I know shares this story. Recently, on their priests’ retreat, the retreat director began his opening presentation with these words: we take for granted that most people are going to hell. Then he tried to ground this assertion by quoting Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7, 13-14)

Anyone victimized as a child or young person is urged to report this first to secular authorities (The Louisiana State Police or State of Louisiana Department of Social Services) as well as to the special diocesan Sexual Abuse Victim Response Contact Line (225-242-0250) or to the diocesan counselors at Catholic Charities (225-336-8708).

Women in the Diocese of Baton Rouge converged at St. George Church in Baton Rouge to fulfill their guiding mission that "no shepherd is left behind" at a Seven Sisters Apostolate Mass.

Aeli Poydras and Jeremy Chiasson went forth from St. Joseph Cathedral as "servants of all" when Bishop Michael G. Duca ordained them as transitional deacons on June 20.

Before a jubilant gathering of family and friends at St. Joseph Cathedral Deacons Aeli Poydras and Jeremy Chiasson took their final major step toward priesthood. They were ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announces the death of Deacon Peter Walsh, a retired deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, formerly Deacon Assistant at St. Patrick and St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge.

Upon the recommendation of the Prior Provincial of the Southern Dominican Province, and in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes these appointments effective 15 July 2026.

In 2008 when Hurricane Gustav struck Baton Rouge and plunged the city into darkness, Immaculate Conception Church in Baton Rouge was literally powerless to help its neighbors. With the installation of solar panels on ICC's parish activity center, when storms hit ICC will serve as a community lighthouse to meet peoples’ needs.

To commemorate Flag Day on June 14, Boy Scout Troop 1993 planted flags on the graves of 30 deceased soldiers in St. Joseph Cemetery. The wars that the veterans served in include the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, WWI and WWII, and Vietnam War. The St. Joseph Cemetery Board facilitated the event. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Shirley Johnson was one of the neighbors of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge who received an outpouring of love from the church. Youth from Sacred Heart's Mid-City Mission painted her house and worked in her yard and conveyed that she is not forgotten.