Luling will be among the stops made by Fete-Dieu du Teche next week as the Eucharistic boat procession makes its way down the Mississippi River on the Feast of the Assumption.
Sponsored by the Community of Jesus Crucified, the Fete-Dieu du Mississippi is a one-of-a-kind Eucharistic boat procession beginning in Baton Rouge and traveling the Mississippi River to New Orleans with multiple stops along the way.
In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the procession will stop for prayer in Reserve and Luling before making its way to New Orleans where it will stop at the Fly at Audubon Park and conclude by docking at Jackson Square.
Benediction and Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption will follow at 6 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral.
The procession makes its stop in Luling next Thursday, Aug. 15, under the Hale Boggs bridge. An opening prayer is scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m., followed by comments from St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell to welcome the visitors.
“We want everyone to experience the rich Cajun culture and, equally as important, the Catholic faith, and this is a way to combine the two into a community and family celebration,” said Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC, Spiritual Director, Community of Jesus Crucified in St. Martinville. “It can be difficult to be faithful in today’s world. Religion and those who follow a faith are often ridiculed, if not worse. Fête-Dieu du Teche is a very public display of the Catholic faith; we call it the new evangelization, to think outside the box, if you will.
“We’re not just thinking outside the box — we’re moving it outside. Along the journey, we will bless the Mississippi River, church congregants and others lined up along the levee.”
There will be a memorial service and wreath dedication for those who died on the tragic Luling Ferry accident of 1976.
Dr. Tom Neal will give a revival talk. At 1 p.m., confessions will be heard from those seeking the sacrament.
There will be a prayer of the Rosary at approximately 1:15 p.m. At 1:40 p.m. there will be the blessing and hymns, followed by a closing prayer.
The procession’s stop in Reserve is scheduled earlier that morning, set to begin at 11 a.m.
