Photo by The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
With the official start of hurricane season underway, Catholics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, came together May 30 for a special Mass to ask God for protection from storms in the months ahead.
Held at St. Joseph Cathedral and organized by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the liturgy brought the community together in prayerful preparation, the diocese reported.
Bishop Michael G. Duca celebrated the Mass. He encouraged the congregation to reflect on how faith sustains communities through times of trial. Referencing the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35–41), he reminded those gathered that God hears prayers, even when His answers come through difficult experiences.
“Today we gathered to remind ourselves that Louisiana has its benefits and challenges,” Bishop Duca told those assembled.
He remarked that in recent years, residents have witnessed just how intense and varied natural forces can be — ranging from torrential rains to wind and hail.
“In the end we may feel like we are victims … there is not much we can do,” he said.
Yet, he reminded the congregation, prayer — far from being a last resort — is an essential act of trust in God’s providence.
“We can pray to God to intervene, and that cannot be discounted as not enough because often our lives depend on it,” he said.
In moments of crisis, Bishop Duca explained, we are also reminded of life’s fragility and our need for both God and others.
“Our tendency is to wash out the good [of God working in our lives] if we feel like we can do it ourselves,” Bishop Duca reflected. “We tell ourselves what is right, what is wrong. But in those moments when we’re suddenly faced with a category 5 [hurricane], we’re on our knees.”
He noted that self-reliance can make us forget that we’re not meant to face life’s challenges alone.
“We survive as a great community rising up to help one another,” he added.
He also praised the work of organizations like Catholic Charities, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Salvation Army, emphasizing their roles in uniting and uplifting communities during recovery.
The Mass concluded with the “Prayer for Safety During Hurricane Season,” written by Bishop Maurice Schexnayder of Lafayette. Bishop Duca also gave a blessing to Catholic Charities staff and all present, including first responders.
