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.

La Diócesis de Baton Rouge celebró el Rito de Elección para la comunidad Latina/Hispana el 8 de marzo en la Catedral de San José, en Baton Rouge. Esta ceremonia constituye un paso importante para aquellas personas que se preparan para ingresar a la Iglesia Católica a través de los programas de la Orden de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos (OCIA) y para Niños (OCIC). Los catecúmenos —personas no bautizadas que ahora pasan a ser los "elegidos"— y los candidatos —personas ya bautizadas— se encuentran ahora en su fase final de preparación, conocida como el "Período de Purificación e Iluminación". Esta fase culminará con la recepción de los sacramentos de la Iniciación durante la Misa de la Vigilia Pascual. Durante esta celebración, un total de 136 personas (102 candidatos y 34 elegidos) manifestaron su deseo de ingresar a la Iglesia Católica. Según la Oficina de Culto de la Diócesis de Baton Rouge, el número total de catecúmenos y candidatos que asistieron a los tres Ritos de Elección celebrados este año aumentó en 194 personas con respecto al año anterior. Los elegidos fueron llamados a presentarse ante el santuario, frente al Señor Obispo Michael G. Duca, y recibieron un reconocimiento formal. Los padrinos y la asamblea expresaron su aprobación. Por su parte, los candidatos reafirmaron su llamado a una conversión continua. Fotografías cortesia de Victor Lopez

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.

Catholic High School (CHS) possesses the coveted Challenge Week trophy and is on a quest for a "three-peat" in its highly anticipated annual rivalry against St. Joseph Academy (SJA). SJA is looking to block that attempt and take back the trophy. The winner will be the less fortunate who are served by the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (GBRFB).

February’s stories highlight dialogue, witness, and the gift of Catholic education. In this issue of The Collect, explore how faith opens doors to meaningful dialogue, how young people are boldly living their beliefs, and how our diocese continues to celebrate excellence in Catholic education. These stories remind us that when faith is lived with conviction and charity, it becomes a powerful witness in our community and beyond.

With inspiration from newly minted teen saint, Carlo Acutis, five high school teams in the Diocese of Baton Rouge competed in the first Catholic quiz bowl. The winner of the competition received the coveted Carlo Cup trophy.

In a rare alignment of calendars, Lent and the Muslim holy penitential season Ramadan began on the same day and are coinciding this year. Vatican officials and clergy of the Diocese of Baton Rouge urge the faithful to use this opportunity to pray for world peace.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the Rite of Election on Feb. 22 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. A total of 606 people (375 candidates and 231 elect) pledged their desire to enter the Catholic Church. 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 Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Feb. 18 marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40-day liturgical season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in the Catholic Church, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending before the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were filled with people during the distribution of ashes. St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge was overflowing with people coming to receive their ashes at a noon Mass and distribution of ashes. Bishop Michael G. Duca, celebrant, blessed the ashes before distribution. The ashes for Ash Wednesday are made by the burning of palms fonds from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

Many of youth of the Diocese of Baton Rouge who made the trek to Washington, D.C., experienced fun and made the lifelong memories that they expected. Beyond that, they expressed their surprise that their immersion in the Catholic faith and culture of life created "new beginnings" for them.

After clearing two big legal hurdles, Archbishop Fulton Sheen's beatification has been approved again by the Vatican.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the collaborate effort of many to assure that students in its Catholic schools become worldwide leaders and disciples of Christ. During Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25-31, it celebrated a Mass to give thanks and reflect on its mission of "evangelizing hearts, educating minds, encouraging talent and embracing the future."

The Catholic Church celebrated the feast day of St. Blaise on Feb. 3. St. Blaise was a fourth-century physician and bishop of Sebastea in Armenia (modern-day Turkey) who became a martyr and healer. According to tradition, St. Blaise was on his way to prison when he encountered a child choking on a fish bone. St. Blaise touched the boy's throat and dislodged the bone, saving his life. That miracle prompted his patronage of throat health, leading to the Feb. 3 blessing of the throats with crossed candles. Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge joined other churches worldwide in this tradition. Photo by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator