Louisiana Catholics mark historic weekend of faith

LOUISIANA, U.S. (KTVE/KARD) – It’s a momentous weekend for Roman Catholics across Louisiana, marked by two major events that highlight both local and global significance. On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will welcome its new bishop in a formal ordination and installation ceremony, marking the beginning of a new chapter of leadership and spiritual guidance for the region. Just two days later, on Sunday morning, the Vatican will celebrate the canonization of two new saints, drawing international attention to the enduring legacy of faith and sacrifice within the Church.

In North Louisiana, the Diocese of Shreveport reached a historic milestone on August 28, 2025, with the official conclusion of the second phase in the sainthood process for five heroic priests who gave their lives during the 1873 yellow fever epidemic. A solemn ceremony at Holy Trinity Church marked the transition from the diocesan investigation to the Roman phase, as all documentation is now being submitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome. These events reflect a powerful convergence of past and present, honoring lives of extraordinary virtue while shaping the future of Catholic leadership in Louisiana.

On Friday, The Very Reverend Fr. Simon Peter Engurait will be ordained and installed as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Here is a link to watch the live stream: The Ordination and Installation of Very Reverend Simon Peter Engurait | Facebook

Born in Ngora, Uganda, in 1971, Father Simon Peter is one of fourteen children. His early education took him through Catholic seminaries in Uganda, before he pursued a career in public service, including roles in Uganda’s government, and earned a Master of Business Administration from a university in the Netherlands. During his career, he rose from entry-level positions to senior management. While at Katigondo Seminary in Uganda, he had a profound encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal that shaped his spiritual path and ultimately led him back to discern a priestly vocation.

In 2007, he was accepted as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon on May 12, 2012, at St. Bernadette Church in Houma, and on May 25, 2013, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma— both ordinations by Bishop Sam Jacobs.

He served as Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux, and Christ the Redeemer in Thibodaux. In January of 2017, he was appointed as Administrator and later Pastor of St. Bridget Church in Schriever, where he has been to date. He has held multiple diocesan leadership positions, including Moderator of the Curia, Coordinator of Christian Formation, and, most recently, Vicar General. He also served as interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and as a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.

“While I am still shocked by the news that the Lord has asked me to be a bishop, I must admit that knowing the people of this diocese brings me great comfort in saying yes,” said Bishop Elect Engurait. “South Louisiana is home, and I love the people here. It is a privilege to say yes to you as much as I am saying yes to God. I love you, and I consider it a great honor to serve you as your bishop.”

On September 7, the Catholic Church will canonize two beloved figures—Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati—marking a powerful moment of inspiration for young Catholics around the world.

The announcement was made during the first public consistory of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, held on June 13 at the Apostolic Palace. The joint canonization ceremony will take place in St. Peter’s Square, honoring the lives of two young men whose faith, compassion, and devotion continue to resonate deeply across generations.

Carlo Acutis: A Saint for the Digital Age

Carlo Acutis, who passed away from leukemia in 2006 at just 15 years old, will become the first millennial to be declared a saint. Born in London and raised in Milan, Acutis was known for his deep love of the Eucharist and his innovative use of technology to share his faith. He created a digital catalog of Eucharistic miracles, which has since been displayed in thousands of parishes across five continents.

Acutis was beatified in 2020 and has become a symbol of holiness for the modern era. His canonization was originally scheduled for April 27 during the Vatican’s Jubilee of Teenagers, but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis. Despite the delay, thousands of young pilgrims who had traveled to Rome for the event attended the late pope’s funeral and participated in the jubilee Mass, which drew over 200,000 attendees.

The Vatican confirmed a second miracle attributed to Acutis’ intercession in May 2024, involving the recovery of a Costa Rican student who suffered a traumatic brain injury. Her mother prayed at Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, and the young woman made a full recovery.

Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Life Lived “To the Heights”

Joining Acutis in canonization is Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian from Turin who died in 1925 at the age of 24. Known for his joyful spirit and tireless service to the poor, Frassati was a mountaineer, a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, and a passionate advocate for social justice.

Frassati has been a significant global patron for young adults, athletes, students, and all “ordinary” or lay people, according to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Though not a straight-A student, Pier Giorgio was extremely dedicated to his studies.

During his time in college, Pier Giorgio wrote to his friend Marco on October 23, 1924: “…I have made my calculations and if I want to graduate in March I must study intensely mornings and evenings, including all holidays, and if I want my diploma in July I can only go away on one or two Sundays. And I must also work in a hurry because the years rush by and I must still serve my country…” Until December 31, 2004, young men in Italy were required to fulfill a period of military service.

Frassati’s life was marked by quiet acts of charity and a deep commitment to his faith. He joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society at 17 and spent much of his time caring for the sick and marginalized. His motto, “Verso l’Alto” (“To the Heights”), written on a photo from his final mountain climb, has become a rallying cry for Catholics seeking to live with purpose and spiritual ambition.

Frassati died of polio, likely contracted while serving the ill. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, who described him as “a man of the eight beatitudes.”

A Shared Legacy of Youthful Holiness

The decision to canonize Acutis and Frassati together underscores the Church’s recognition of youthful sanctity and the enduring impact of lives lived with faith, courage, and compassion. Their stories—one rooted in digital evangelization, the other in hands-on service—offer powerful examples of how holiness can be expressed in diverse and modern ways.

As the Church prepares for this historic event, Catholics around the world are invited to reflect on the legacy of these two young men and the call to live boldly in faith, no matter the age or era.

Catholics in North Louisiana remember the Shreveport Martyrs

“Becoming a saint is not easy, not just in the sense that being holy in life is difficult, but in the sense that it takes a magnificent amount of time and work to be canonized. The Church has a detailed process for recognizing saints,” said Sophia Romanski, communications director of the Diocese of Shreveport.

In 1873, Shreveport experienced one of the deadliest yellow fever outbreaks in U.S. history, losing nearly a quarter of its population. Amid the devastation, five Catholic priests stood out for their extraordinary sacrifice. One of whom founded the Catholic church in Monroe, Louisiana, with the establishment of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Each chose to remain in the city to care for the sick, ultimately giving their lives in service to others.

Their legacy continues to be recognized through the Catholic Church’s formal process of Beatification and Canonization. On December 8, 2020, Bishop Francis I. Malone of the Diocese of Shreveport officially named the five priests as “Servants of God,” marking the completion of the first phase of the sainthood process.

“The Diocesan Phase, which closed officially on August 29th, was only the beginning. The next step is to send over 5,000 pages documenting the lives and deaths of the Five Priests directly to the Vatican, where they will decide whether or not to further the cause. If the answer is yes, Pope Leo XIV will declare the Shreveport Martyrs “Venerable,” which means they are one step closer to canonization.” Romanski continued.

” The scope of this occasion is hard to describe. If the process moves forward, we will have five new saints, all from right here in our own backyard. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is genuinely an exciting time to be a Catholic in North Louisiana.”

Inspiring us all “To the Heights”

It is indeed an exciting time for Catholics in Louisiana and all over the world as we look to new leaders and honor faithful servants who inspire us all to strive for new heights in all that we do.