News - March 2026 RSS Feed

Baton Rouge, LA – Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University proudly celebrated the inauguration of David M. Bellar, Ph.D., as its fifth president on March 26, 2026, at St. Joseph Cathedral, marking a historic moment in the university’s continued growth and mission-driven future.

As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we prepare to enter the central liturgical experience of the Catholic faith, according to Father Tom Ranzino. Father Ranzino is the director of the office of worship of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

After many years of absence, St. Michael High School in Baton Rouge’s (SMHS) St. Joseph Altar resumed this year with strong support from students.

Church parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated the Feast Day of St. Joseph with St. Joseph Altars. A St. Joseph Altar is a Sicilian Catholic tradition of building a food altar, typically on March 19, as an act of thanksgiving for favors granted and to petition for special needs. The altar is a charitable display designed to feed the poor, honoring St. Joseph through meatless, symbolic, and religious-themed food. Surplus food is donated to local charities to help freed those in need. St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge Pastor, Father Cary Bani, blessed the Cathedral's St. Joseph Altar on March 19 after the noon Mass. Many Mass attendees stopped by the altar to take pictures and pray, and accepted the Cathedral's invitation to enjoy a meatless lunch. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator

On March 7, more than 200 middle school students in grades 6-8 in the Diocese of Baton Rouge gathered for the second annual ARISE Middle School Rally. The event was held at St. Alphonsus Liguori Church in Greenwell Springs.

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).