Faithful Gather for Mass to Pray for Hurricane Safety

As the 2025 Hurricane Season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts there will be 13 to 19 named storms, including 6 to 10 hurricanes. Three to five of these storms are expected to become major hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. 

The Diocese of Baton Rouge paused to pray for protection and safety from storms during a Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge sponsored the May 30 event.

Celebrant Bishop Michael G. Duca emphasized in his homily that God always answers prayers in various ways during life’s storms. He referred to the day’s Gospel reading, Mark 4:35-41, in which Jesus calms the storm.

“Today we gathered to remind ourselves that Louisiana has its benefits and challenges,” said Bishop Duca. 
Top right photo: Catholic Charities staff members sing the opening hymn during Mass for Hurricane Safety. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Above Photo: CCDBR staff members present the gifts of the Mass to Bishop Michael G. Duca.He pointed that over the past two years nature has shown its unbelievable power, as seen through water, rain hail, or wind.

“In the end we may feel like we are victims …  there is not much we can do,” said the bishop.

We can pray to God to intervene, and that cannot be discounted as not enough because often our lives depend on it. It’s at such vulnerable times we realize how fleeting life is, how easily things can be taken away, and how fragile the world is, according to Bishop Duca.

Consolation comes from knowing that God watches over us and knows what we need. We must live with the knowledge of that dependence.

“Our tendency is to wash out the good (of God working in our lives) if we feel like we can do it ourselves. We tell ourselves what is right, what is wrong. But in those moments when we’re suddenly faced with a category 5 (hurricane), we’re on our knees ... ‘Oh Lord, help me now,’” said the bishop.

When the storm misses us or passes over us, we say, “Okay, I can take it from here,” the bishop mused.

There’s a loss in such self-sufficient thinking because we don’t seek to depend on God and one another, noted Bishop Duca.

God answers prayers when we must face difficulties and challenges that do not go away in our lives and stay with us, even the tragedies that befall us, according to the bishop. We must go through them and suffer through them. 

But God knows how much we need each other amid difficulties and that we can’t survive by ourselves.

“We survive as a great community rising up to help one another,” Bishop Duca said.

Through his experiences of seeing how Louisiana responds to and rebuilds from natural disasters, the bishop said if there is going to be a disaster he wants to be in Louisiana.

“Because everyone’s got a chainsaw in the garage and it’s ready to go to work the minute the storm passes,” said the bishop with a smile.

He highlighted the work of Catholic charitable organizations, such as Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Amy, and others.

“God draws us together and builds unity,” emphasized the bishop.

God also answers prayers by turning our thoughts to our neighbors to help ease their difficulties.

The congregation prayed together the Prayer for Safety during Hurricane Season, written by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder, the second bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette. Bishop Duca also blessed the staff of Catholic Charities, which came together for prayer, as well as all the other first responders and everyone present.Bishop Duca celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist.