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Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge suspended use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday, following the recommendation of the Centers of Disease Control and the Food and Drug Association. "Upon the CDC recommendations and in consultation with the Louisiana and Mississippi Departments of Health, we have immediately halted use of the J&J vaccine,” Dr. Stephen Gremillion, chief medical officer of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, said in a statement.

One year after a global pandemic shut down public gatherings during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, churches in the diocese of Baton Rouge opened under guidelines issued by Bishop Michael G. Duca. The protocols for Holy Week as well as the triduum, which are considered the “holiest three days” of the liturgical year, were similar to what had been issued by the Holy See, according to Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David.

Father Jason Palermo, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement and St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church in Maurepas, baptizes eight-year-old Jackson Harper during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Joseph on April 3. Churches in the Diocese of Baton Rouge were able to celebrate the Easter Vigil this year, albeit with some protocols in place, after being able to do so in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Easter Vigil celebration is generally considered as one of the most beautiful Masses of the year. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

Father Toni Thomas IMS, administrator at St. Jules Church in Belle Rose and St. Elizabeth Church in Paincourtville, leads the Stations of the Cross walk on Good Friday.

Father Chris Decker, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Grosse Tête, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Maringouin, and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Livonia, reposes the Blessed Sacrament at the conclusion of The Mass of the Lord's Supper at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator.

Bishop Michael G. Duca pours balsam, a sweetly scented essence, into oil to be blessed during the Chrism Mass celebrated March 30 at St. George Church in Baton Rouge. Photo by Richard Meek | The Catholic Commentator

We need the power of Christ’s resurrection to lift us out of our sadness and grief.  This hope is not a panacea that will protect us from the hard work before us to heal, restore and inspire our broken world.  But it is a hope that will sustain our mission in difficult times because our hope is in Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead who is greater than any difficulties we may face.  

Bishop Michael G. Duca has issued guidelines for Palm Sunday and the Easter triduum, urging parishioners to wear masks at all times and continue to practice physical distancing.  Episcopal Vicar Father Jamin David said the bishop’s protocols are quite similar to what has been issued by the Holy See. Regarding Palm Sunday, which is March 28, Father David said the church has discouraged the traditional procession of palms at the beginning of Mass. 

Since the dawn of Christianity pilgrims have prayerfully retraced the steps of Jesus’ path to Calvary. Following in their footsteps, we experience the Stations of the Cross discovered uniquely in our local churches, as we seek to encounter our Lord while meditating on His most Holy Passion.

Weddings will now be allowed to be celebrated on Saturday evenings in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, effective upon the decree’s publication in The Catholic Commentator. 

Bishop Michael Duca has issued the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge additional guidance as the state enters Phase III of its response to the COVID-19.

Bishop Michael G. Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge issued the following statement on the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned the bill would trample religious freedom protections while codifying gender ideology in federal law. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned the bill would trample religious freedom protections while codifying gender ideology in federal law.

In their latest "Voter Voice" the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops state that "The Equality Act Discriminates AGAINST Life and People of Faith" and urge Catholics to voice their opposition to congressmen.

A major facelift at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge will offer a dramatically different view of the Baton Rouge campus that intersects at the corner of Sherwood Forest and Goodwood boulevards.  

A collaborative effort involving the Diocese of Baton Rouge and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will allow those wishing to enter formation with the goal of becoming spiritual directors to stay in Baton Rouge for training.

Franciscan University in Baton Rouge, The Archdiocese of New Orleans Spirituality Center and the Diocese of Baton Rouge are happy to announce a joint partnership creating a Program of Formation for Spiritual Direction.

The penitential character of what we observe as church during the Lenten season has surely been magnified during the past year! Beginning in March 2020, Lent was quickly interrupted by a total lockdown.

Beginning Ash Wednesday, changes to the translation of the "doxology" or the ending of some prayers at the beginning and end of Mass and other Sacraments to better reflect original intent of the Latin text.

Although many staff members of the Catholic Life Center are working remotely due to COVID-19, please know that the Catholic Life Center remains open and continues to serve and support the mission of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.