En una celebración Eucarística en la Catedral de San José en Baton Rouge, la Diócesis de Baton Rouge se unió a la Iglesia Universal para inaugurar el año 2025 como Año Jubilar de la Esperanza. Se animó a los fieles a aceptar las pruebas y cruces de la vida y a seguir adelante con fe, con una “esperanza que no defrauda”.

El 1 de diciembre, primer domingo de Adviento, las iglesias de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge celebraron su Rito de bienvenida para las personas que ingresan a la Orden de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos (OCIA). En la iglesia de Santa Ana en Morganza, el padre Babu Vareeth, párroco, celebró el rito, que incluyó a miembros de la población hispana/latina. Fotos de Julia Scarnato | Directora del Apostolado Hispano de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge.

The theological virtue of hope develops from understanding that Jesus lifts the burden when we struggle with difficulties. We are then sent forth to spread hope to others who suffer, according to Becky Eldredge, an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and author.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, many people may struggle with believing that “good things are to come.” Darryl Ducote, LCSW, director of the department of marriage and family life of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, recently talked about the brain’s ability to change and grow. This causes people to have hope in the face of adversity.

The Holy See issued a decree on May 13, 2024, outlining the many ways that Catholics can obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee Year. In the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholics can gain a plenary indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to St. Joseph Cathedral or one of the five other churches designated by Bishop Duca.

​​​​​The Society of St. Vincent de Paul released the following news release about their plans: St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Shelter Program has initiated its plan for the current cold nights (39 degrees & below). We will expand bed capacity for men, women, children, and families experiencing homelessness during the cold days and nights to come. We provide day and night shelter services to men, women, and children, and annually, provide over 30,000 guest nights of shelter.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Baton Rouge brought holiday cheer to children and families in need at its annual gift distribution. The children smiled abundantly and their parents expressed gratitude. Pictured, from left, are, Andy Adler, SVDP board chair, Sylvia Weatherspoon of WBRZ, Father Charlie Landry, who distributed the gifts as St. Nicholas, and Kim Boudreaux, SVDP district council president. Photos provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Pictured are Father Landry and Weatherspoon with some of the gift recipients and their families.

It is with sadness that the Diocese of Baton Rouge reports the death of Fr. Gerard Young, a retired priest of our diocese.

At a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, the Diocese of Baton Rouge joined the universal church in opening 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope. The faithful were encouraged to embrace their trials and crosses in life and move forward in faith with a “hope that does not disappoint.”

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, Huy Tran and Joshua "Josh" Zelden were ordained to the diaconate in St. Joseph Cathedral.

Tao Van Vu has amassed a large collection of Christmas lights and decorations over the past 44 years through his volunteering to set up the nativity scene and Christmas displays at Sts. Anthony of Padua and Le Van Phung Church in Baton Rouge. Parishioners admired his work and wanted to contribute to its success.

As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, let us also look forward to the hope and transformation that the Jubilee Year brings. May it lead each of us to a deeper understanding of God's love and inspire us to live that love more fully in the world.

Check out this month's Collect to read what has been going on in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, such as the Bishop's letter regarding the change in confirmation age, changes to the transitional diaconate process, and more!

“People are always impatient, but God is never in a hurry!” Nikos Kazantzakis wrote those words and they highlight an important truth. We need to be patient, infinitely patient, with God. We need to let things unfold in their proper time, God’s time.

In the summer of 1994 Brett Frederic and Brett Legette, both 13, looked forward to their upcoming eighth-grade year at St. Theresa of Avila Middle School in Gonzales. They also anticipated entering high school the next year. Those dreams were shattered when they were tragically killed Aug. 20, 1994 in a car accident two days before school began.

Deacon H. John Ferguson, III – a retired deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge – passed away on 16 December 2024.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board and the Office of Vocations & Seminarians, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 02 January 2025.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently updated its pastoral formation plan concerning the time of year seminarians are ordained as transitional deacons. Instead of seminarians being ordained as transitional deacons in the spring, they will be ordained in December. The change essentially allows seminarians to complete their academic studies before entering their vocational synthesis stage.

To fully celebrate Advent, Catholics can turn to the saints whose feast days fall within this time of hopeful anticipation. One of them is St. John of the Cross, whose feast day is Dec. 14. He is among the Carmelite saints who “shined a light on the path” for Rusty Miller of Baton Rouge when he was searching to reconnect with God in his spiritual life.