Fête-Dieu du Teche 2025 will take place Friday with a 40-mile Eucharistic Procession by boat to coincide with the Great Jubilee Year celebrated in the Church around the world every 25 years.
The procession will highlight the Christian’s Pilgrimage of Hope. ‘
Families and church organizations are encouraged to participate by registering a boat and pilgrimaging down the Bayou Teche by water or by following by car and gathering at the stops along the way for recitation of the rosary and benediction.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with Mass in French by Bishop Douglas Deshotel at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville. Following the Mass there will be a procession with the Blessed Sacrament and a statue of Mary and St. Joseph to the nearby boat landing.
Pilgrims are encouraged to join the procession to the boat landing for Benediction. At 9:30 a.m. boats will depart in procession down the Teche toward St. Martinville, retracing the pilgrimage made by the Acadians 260 years ago.
August 15 is a significant date as it is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the Acadian people and of Acadiana. It is also a day that marks the 260th anniversary of the arrival of French-Canadian immigrants who brought the Catholic faith to Acadiana after enduring great trials and suffering.
The schedule includes:
10:20 a.m. Arrive at Arnaudville and disembark for Rosary and Benediction.
11:45 a.m. Arrive at Cecilia and disembark for Rosary and Benediction.
1:35 p.m. Arrive at Breaux Bridge and disembark for Rosary and Benediction.
3:15 p.m. Arrive at Parks and disembark for Rosary and Benediction.
4:45 p.m. Flotilla arrives at St. Martinville behind Notre Dame; Foot Procession to Notre Dame de Perpetuel Secours for Benediction.
5 p.m. Procession from Notre Dame to St. Martin de Tours Church for Benediction.
5:30 p.m. Procession down Main Street to Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel for Solemn Vespers & Final Benediction.
6 p.m. Solemn Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at Mater Dolorosa Chapel.
For more information, contact Fr. Michael Champagne at 337-394-6550; fetedieuduteche@gmail.com; or https://www.facebook.com/Fete-Dieu-du-Teche-791548894286660/
