Louisiana Pilgrimage
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A pilgrimage is not purposeless wandering.
It is a journey with a higher purpose and that purpose is to honor God.
One of several events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Spiritans in the United States was a 663-mile pilgrimage in November through western Louisiana. The theme of the trip was The Spiritan Contribution to the African American Catholic Experience in Louisiana. Four churches, formerly staffed by the Spiritans, were visited giving the participants the opportunity to engage with the parishioners and to hear their recollections of the Spiritan priests and brothers who served their churches. At each of the churches visited the pastor was presented with a Spiritan medallion and a letter of appreciation for welcoming the group to their church.
The group posed for a photo at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lake Charles with pastor Rommel Tolentino, standing center.
Back L to R: Charles Murphy, John Boyles, Jess Hewitt, Sr. Jane Meyer, Sharon Ettinoffe, Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp., Ray Sylvester Front L to R: Charles Honore, Sylvia Salinas, Ann Murdock, Rochelle Hewitt, Liz Whetter, Fr. Rommel Tolentino, Erline Castex, Wallina Bush, Dedriel Thompson, Mary Boyles, Fr. Honest Munishi, C.S.Sp.
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"If it were not for the Spiritans, I would not be the person I am today".Josephine Paillet, 77 year member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Opelousas
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Spiritans in Louisiana
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The first Spiritan Church in Louisiana was St. James Memorial Catholic Church established in 1911. In time some 40 parishes and missions would be established in the state. Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, established in 1920 "would long be distinguished as the largest (by population) African American parish in the country".
Additionally, many schools were established in collaboration with Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
While the Spiritans do not serve in Louisiana today, they do serve the African American community in New York, Baltimore, Houston, Dayton, Arkansas, and Virginia.
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Pilgrimage Destinations
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Lake Charles
Rev. Joby Mathew, H.G.N.
Pastor
Sacred Heart ChurchRev. Rommel Torelino
Pastor
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church
Mrs. Roxanne BoxieFr. Grey was presented with a commissioned art piece of the "Little Red School House" once on the campus of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Mr. Charles Honore
Parishioners of Sacred Heart & Immaculate Heart of Mary Churches
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Opelousas
Mayor Julius AlsandorFr. Mike Grey Receives the key to the city!
Rev. Justin Arockiasamy, S.V.D.
Pastor
Holy Ghost Church
Drexel Society Members
Ms. Lena Charles
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P.
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Carencro
Msgr. Ronald Broussard
Pastor
Assumption Church
Our Hosts
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Isle Brevelle
St. Augustine Catholic ChurchSt. Augustine Catholic Church was built by free people of color using their own money, predominately for their own use, and invited all others in the area who wished to participate and share in their Catholic faith with them. As a means of collecting money for the church in earlier times, families of the parish were required to rent pews for their personal use. Name boxes where attached at the end of each pew which allowed its owner exclusive use, even if the church was full.
Rev. Charles Ray
Pastor
St. Augustine
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