Fête-Dieu du Teche Eucharistic Procession focuses on Mississippi River

The 10th annual Fête-Dieu du Têche, born 10 years ago on the bayou will “jump ship” this year and will travel 130 miles on the Mississippi River.
The river procession will be held in conjunction with the national three-year Eucharistic Revival taking place in the United States and is intended as a missionary endeavor following on the heels of the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis in July.
Fr. Michael Champagne, an organizer of the event, states, “We are moving the Eucharistic boat procession for a one-time historic route on the mighty river to bless the River and the State of Louisiana. We desire to thank God for the great State of Louisiana and its mighty river and we desire to beg God’s blessing as we embark on our future journey toward Him.”
Champagne hopes that the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi will bring about a “conversion to the Eucharist” recently called for by Pope Francis. Louisiana has deep Eucharistic roots.
“In 1812 when our first governor, William C.C. Claiborne, designed the flag, he replaced an earlier seal of an eagle with the image of a pelican wounding its breast to draw blood and feed its starving young. This is an ancient symbol of the Eucharist, Christ wounding Himself to feed us with His Body and Blood.”
The Fête-Dieu du Mississippi will begin in Baton Rouge. The Bishop of Baton Rouge, Michael Duca, D. D, and the bishops of the Louisiana province, will open the two-day spiritual extravaganza with an 8 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.
At the conclusion of the Mass there will be a street procession from the Cathedral to the Mississippi River. The procession will include a special world-record monstrance constructed for this year’s Fête. The monstrance stands 14 feet tall and manifests a 14” host which will be readily seen from the river banks and by the crowds in attendance. It was modeled after a monstrance used by Champagne at St. Stephen’s Basilica in New Orleans.
The procession will be led by a bell boat carrying six Louisiana bells dating as far back as 1850.
It is estimated that over 50 pounds of incense will be burned during the 130-mile river trek down to New Orleans.
During the course of the river journey to New Orleans the Coast Guard is allowing up to 15 large boats in the flotilla, which amounts to almost a 1 1⁄2 mile procession.
Pilgrims are encouraged to attend one of the River Rallies along the 130-mile journey of the Blessed Sacrament.
A final River Rally will be held in Audubon Park lookout on the east bank of the river beginning at 2:40 p.m. Fr. Niles Gros, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi parish in New Orleans and professor at Notre Dame Seminary will give the revival talk followed by the recitation of the Rosary with the flotilla tentatively scheduled to yield its blessing of pilgrims at about 3:45 p.m. The steamboat Natchez will take up its place behind the Eucharist boat. Adorers aboard will make a Holy Hour on the River for the last hour of the 2-day procession.
Arrival in the French Quarter is expected at about 4:30 p.m. with a grand blessing scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on the levee in front of Jackson Square and the ancient St. Louis Basilica. The Eucharistic procession will continue on foot through Jackson Square and into the historic Cathedral for a closing Solemn Mass of the Assumption led by Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Gov. Jeff Landry and first lady Sharon Landry are expected to be in attendance.
After the closing Mass, participants will celebrate in Jackson Square in typical Louisiana fashion with some Cajun music and dancing.
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the Acadian people and of Acadiana, is a day that marks the anniversary of the arrival of French-Canadian immigrants who brought the Catholic faith to Acadiana after enduring great trials and suffering.
Lafayette’s bishop Douglas Deshotel states, “In the Diocese of Lafayette, August 15 is the day observed when the Acadians began settling in our part of Louisiana. After the French and Indian War, around 1763, the British demanded that those living in present day Nova Scotia renounce their Catholic Faith and swear allegiance to the British King. Those who did not were expelled from the country. They lost their lands, their homes and some their lives. It was the first example of ethnic cleansing in the new world. Many came to settle in South Louisiana where it was French and Catholic. They brought their culture, their food, and their Catholic Faith – a special devotion to the Holy Eucharist and Mary the Mother of God.”
Four mobile confessionals with confession teams will be available Wednesday at St. Joseph Cathedral from 6:45 -7:45 a.m. in Baton Rouge; 11:30 -12:45 p.m. in Plaquemine; 2:30-4 p.m. in Donaldsonville; and 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Convent. On Thursday, the mobile confessionals will be available in Convent from 6:30-8 a.m.; 11-12 p.m. in Reserve; 1-2 p.m. in Luling; and 3-4 p.m. at Audubon Fly.
For more information, visit the website https://fetedieuduteche.org/ or Fête-Dieu du Teche on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityofJesusCrucified/ or contact Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC by telephone at 337-394-6550 or email at fetedieuduteche@gmail.com.
Fête-Dieu du Mississippi 2024 schedule
Wednesday

8 a.m. - Holy Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge with Bishop Michael Duca, D.D.

9:15 a.m.- Eucharistic Procession to the River.

9:45 a.m.- Procession Arrives at River.
10:30 a.m.- Flotilla Departs.

12:35 p.m. - Blessing at Plaquemine.

3:50 p.m. - Blessing at Donaldsonville.

5:40 p.m. - Arrival at Convent.

6 p.m. - Procession to St. Michael’s.
6:15 p.m. - Solemn Vespers - Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP.

8:30 p.m. - Night Prayer and All-night Adoration.


Thursday

7 a.m. - Office of Readings.

7:45 a.m. - Morning Prayer - Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP.

8:45 a.m. - Procession to Mississippi River.

10 a.m. - Flotilla Departs.
12 p.m. - Blessing at Reserve.

1:40 p.m. - Blessing at Luling.
3:40 p.m. - Blessing at Audubon Fly.

4:25 p.m. - Arrival at Natchez Dock.

5:15 p.m. - Benediction on Levee.

5:30 p.m. - Procession to St. Louis Cathedral.
6 p.m. - Benediction & Closing Mass w/ Archbishop Gregory Aymond, D.D.

7:30 p.m. - Celebration in Jackson Square.