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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.

On June 11, the United States bishops undertook the long-anticipated consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ahead of the Mass at which the consecration took place, three American archbishops offered to their brothers reflections on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The presentation by Louisville’s Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre (a son of the Diocese of Baton Rouge) on how the Sacred Heart of Jesus builds communities, was a tour de force of what living with the love of the Sacred Heart should look like in the Church, for the good of society.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) of Baton Rouge celebrated the opening of its largest thrift store with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 6.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge will join the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Atmosphere at St. Joseph Cathedral was jubilant as three men answered God's call to serve the church as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The struggle for voting rights and full participation has come at an immense cost. It has demanded sacrifice, perseverance and faith. To remember that history is not merely to honor the past; it is to recommit ourselves to the work that remains.

St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) celebrated the opening of its first upscale thrift store, Rosalie's Boutique, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 16.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointment effective 09 May 2026.

Hunter Grace Layrisson recently received the State Knights of Columbus Award Catholic Youth Leadership Award (CYLA). She is a 2026 graduating senior from St. Thomas Aquinas Regional High School in Hammond.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge Child Nutrition Program is pleased to announce the availability of free Grab-and-Go meal services for children this summer, helping ensure families have access to nutritious meals while school is out of session.

FranU will host The Franciscan Experience (TFE), a six-day overnight summer theology institute for high school students, July 13–18 at the Tracy Center in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

A large group of Catholics made their presence known amid the buzz of the activity at the 2026 Louisiana legislative session during Faithful Citizenship Day.

In light of the Mall of Louisiana shootings on 23 April 2026, Bishop Duca asks all people of goodwill to join him in praying for healing for the injured, comfort for the grieving, and an end to the cycle of violence that causes such suffering.

In consultation with the Office of the Diaconate, the Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate, and the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes several appointments effective 01 June 2026.

In recent days, written and verbal remarks have been made by President Trump regarding Pope Leo XIV, describing the Holy Father in political terms and questioning his moral leadership. Bishop Duca issues this official statement to the clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Bishop Duca announces the canonical appointments of the two men to be ordained as transitional deacons on 20 June 2026 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge.

On March 31, priests, religious, and laity filled St. Joseph Cathedral to capacity as the Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated its annual Chrism Mass, held each year during Holy Week. During the ancient Mass, holy oils were blessed which richly signify God’s grace, the Holy Spirit’s presence, and strength being poured out onto the faithful and into the world. These oils are used in several sacraments throughout the year. The priests of the diocese also renewed their sacred vows.

On Palm Sunday, March 29, the Catholic Church began its observance of Holy Week with the commemoration of Jesus' triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. The churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge marked the occasion with processions of palms and the reading of Christ's Passion. At St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge the congregation gathered outdoors to begin the procession and proceeded into the church. Pictured is Father Michael Alello blessing the palm branches. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator