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