Messages from the Pastor

May 20, 2012

My dear Parishioners and Friends,

Easter time is winding down. This weekend we observe the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which means that Pentecost Sunday and the official end of the Paschal Season is but a week away. Isn’t it curious how Lent, which is the shorter liturgical season, always seems so much longer than the 50 days of Eastertide? I guess it’s because the challenge of penance is always less attractive than the prospect of partying!

On Pentecost each year the bishop administers the Sacrament of Confirmation to adults from throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge. This happens at our 12:00 Mass that day (May 27 this year), and typically almost 100 persons present themselves as candidates for this special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They’re prepared for this last Sacrament of Initiation in their home Parishes, but come to their Cathedral with their sponsors to celebrate this unique moment of grace.

It’s Catholic doctrine that the Sacrament of Confirmation “perfects” Baptismal grace. It imparts the Holy Spirit upon the believer, strengthening the bonds with Christ and His Church, and helps a Catholic to “bear witness” to his or her faith in words and deeds. And since like Baptism it imprints a “spiritual mark” (also called a “character”) on the soul, it can only be validly received once in a person’s life. (You can look all of this up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in nos. 1285-1321, but especially in nos. 1316-1317!)

It’s obviously too late now for adults who have not been confirmed to prepare for and receive this Sacrament at this year’s celebration. But if you’ve never been confirmed, it’s not too early to begin thinking about next year. There are many ways in which someone who for one reason or another did not receive it when a child or teenager can prepare to be confirmed. Obviously, participating at Mass every Sunday and leading a moral life are essentials! But frequently “rusty Catholics” can begin preparing by taking part in the Parish’s R.C.I.A. process, participating in “sharing sessions” or similar lessons (maybe as an offshoot of a Bible Study or “small sharing group”), or something similar. Our Parish offers a short series of formal instructions for this purpose every Spring. In other words, contact us at the Parish Office (225-387-5928 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) if the Sacrament of Confirmation still needs to be part of YOUR future!

Another Sacrament that we offer in a special way here at the Cathedral is that of the Anointing of the Sick. Ordinarily we celebrate it immediately after the 12:00 noon Sunday Mass on the last Sunday of each month. BUT PLEASE NOTE: because of the special Adult Confirmation Mass on May 27, this month we’ll defer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to the following Sunday, June 3! From a practical standpoint this will make it easier to accommodate a hundred or so sick and elderly persons who make a special effort to attend our 12:00 noon Mass for the anointing afterwards.

Here at the Cathedral there’s another aspect to our celebration of the Anointing of the Sick about which we’re quite proud. We are fortunate to have in our possession relics of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (18191867), a Redemptorist priest who ministered in an especially effective way to the sick and suffering in New Orleans in the mid-19th century. Known as “the Cheerful Ascetic,” he was beatified by the late Blessed Pope John Paul II during the Jubilee Year 2000. Father Seelos had an intense prayer life, and mystical gifts are attributed to him. His dedication to ministry with cheerful holiness led him to be a spiritual father to tens of thousands in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan and finally Louisiana before he died of yellow fever in New Orleans.

In any event, when we administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick we also offer a special blessing with one of the relics of Blessed Seelos. Personal veneration of the relics is also possible after the anointing. No, to my knowledge no one here at the Cathedral has ever been miraculously cured of illness or affliction through his intercession. But many have testified to a special sense of spiritual peace and tranquility which they have received through his help. He ministered to the sick and suffering during his life on earth: our faith in the communion of saints prompts us to recognize his intercessory care for us now during his life in heaven! I heartily recommend that if you are a Catholic over 7 years of age who is ill, handicapped or enfeebled by old age you consider receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and praying in a special, fervent way for Blessed Seelos’ spiritual assistance.

Yours in the Risen Lord,
Father Paul

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