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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. Led in praise and worship by Ryan Foulon, the young people heard keynotes by Father Brad Doyle, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in St. Francisville, and attended workshops. They also attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca. Attendees ended the night with the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and spend time in front of the Eucharist in adoration. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry thanks St. Alphonsus and Father Jason Palermo, pastor, for hosting the event and Bishop Duca. Also, the Mercedarian Sisters of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the priests who heard confessions, the seminarians of the Blessed Stanley Rother Propaedeutic House, Knights of Columbus Council #2807, the ARISE core team, and everyone helped make the day a beautiful encounter with Jesus for the young people. The office is planning for next year. Photos by Trey Weaver, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Diocese of Baton Rouge

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).

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

Graduates of the schools in the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge are known for influencing society worldwide by leading, serving, and sharing the Gospel Message. The Diocese of Baton Rouge recognized the excellence of some of these alumni in its annual Distinguished Graduates Awards Dinner on Jan. 26.

Hundreds of people braved a cold morning despite ominous reports of an impending winter storm and affirmed their love for mothers and their unborn babies at Louisiana Life March South.

Sisters of St. Joseph Kathleen Babin, Anna Schellhaas, Evelyn Mee, and Dianne Fanguy have devoted a combined 295 years to serving the "dear neighbor" in the church.

St. Paul writes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Owen Tabor, 15, was popular, never bullied, good looking, fun loving, athletic, and came from a stable home with a family rooted in faith that loved and supported him. He was a graduate of St. Jean Vianney School and was a good student at St. Michael High School. When he took his life on April 29, 2023, two weeks from his 16th birthday, his family and friends were filled with heartache.