Bishop Duca Ushers In Second Year of Revival for Parishes

June 11, 2023  

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi  

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,   

May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, our Eucharistic Lord, be with you! On June 19, 2022, I announced, in union with the other Bishops of the United States, the beginning of the National Eucharistic Revival within our diocese. This three-year initiative was created with the intention of renewing the Church by rekindling a living relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist amidst the joys and trials of our daily lives.   

The intention of the first Year of Revival (June 16, 2022 - June 10, 2023) was to prepare diocesan leaders spiritually by renewing their devotions to the Eucharist. Almost one year later, I am moved by the growth I have already begun to see within our diocese. Throughout this year, the priests of our diocese and their staffs have attended (and will continue to attend) formational retreats to prepare their minds and hearts for the different initiatives that will be offered over the next year to their parishioners. In addition, some parishes have already begun offering formational opportunities for parishioners to personally encounter our Eucharistic Lord.  

Over the year, I was also moved by how many families and individuals attended one of the five Holy Hours I hosted throughout the geographical boundaries of our diocese. To see hundreds of men, women and children from all walks of life adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament was incredibly moving, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to witness those precious moments with you.  

As we begin to shift our focus from the diocese to the parish for the second Year of Revival (beginning this weekend with the feast of Corpus Christi), I am inviting pastors and parish leaders to discern ways to strengthen their Eucharistic culture within their parishes by emphasizing:
 
The Parish Year of Revival that you will be experiencing this year is your turn to personally encounter the Eucharistic Lord in a new way within your parish and diocesan community. If you are reading this letter and feel the Lord calling you to partake in the Revival throughout the upcoming year, I invite you to visit the National Eucharistic Revival’s website and learn more about becoming a prayer partner or Eucharistic missionary.  

As a diocese, let us give ourselves entirely to the One who has given us all of Himself in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I ask you to join me in prayer for all clergy, religious, parish leaders and volunteers who will be giving of themselves to these initiatives and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit into each parish within this diocese and across our country.  

Hope in the Lord,  

+ Most Reverend Michael Gerard Duca  

Bishop of Baton Rouge  

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Upcoming Corpus Christi Eucharistic Processions

June 11, 2023 | Around the Diocese

Most Blessed Sacrament - Begins at 12:30 p.m. following the 11:30 a.m. mass
Our Lady of Pompeii, Tickfaw -Begins at 10 a.m. following 9 a.m. mass
St. Agnes, Baton Rouge - Begins at 10:45 a.m. following 9:15 a.m. mass
St. Alphonsus, Greenwill Springs - Begins at 1 p.m. following noon mass
St. Ann, Morganza - Begins at 9 a.m. following 8 a.m. mass
St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge - Begins at 11:30 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. mass
St. Joseph, Ponchatoula -Begins at noon folllowing 11 a.m. mass
St. Margaret, Albany - Begins at 11 a.m. following 10 a.m. mass
St. Patrick, Baton Rouge - Begins at 12:30 p.m. following 11:30 a.m. mass

Various Parishes in the South Deanery will be hosting an extended procession which begins at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker parish and will continue to parishes within the South Deanery until about 7 p.m. Click here for more details.