Fête-Dieu du Teche will host the Jubilee of the Word Marathon in the Town Square here beginning on Wednesday, April 4, at 12:30 p.m. and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8 at 4:30 pm.
Organizers expect the event to draw more than 3,000 people to come and “marinate” in the Word of God. The Diocese of Lafayette officially celebrates 100 years as a diocese this year and to celebrate the event the Holy Bible will be read publicly from cover to cover without pause in the square of the Diocese of Lafayette’s oldest church parish, St. Martin de Tours. The Church parish was canonically erected in 1765.
Bishop John Douglas Deshotel, D.D., a native son of Acadiana, will begin the event by reading from the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell, D.D., will conclude the Bible reading on Sunday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. Bishop Glen Provost, D.D., also a native son of Acadiana and Bishop of Lake Charles, will join the celebration by reading on Thursday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m.
During the four days of continuous reading, 300 lectors from the various 121 church parishes in the Lafayette Diocese as well as faith leaders from other denominations from across Acadiana will be employed. The Jubilee of the Word Marathon will help to accentuate the rich cultural heritage of the region by including various nationalities and languages represented in the diocese. In addition to English, selections of the Bible will be read in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
The special event is not only intended to help render thanks to God for the proclamation of the Word of God for these past years, but also to “prime the pump” and re-ignite a love for the Word of God and its practice in life. “People everywhere love to exercise. It’s important to stay in physical shape, which is why many participate in Iron Man races, triathlons, and marathons. And we wanted to provide a way for people to spiritually exercise!,” says Fr. Michael Champagne, of the Community of Jesus Crucified, organizer of the event.
During the Bible Marathon priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by means of the Spiritual Care Unit (SCU – Mobile Confessional). For Catholics who are properly disposed, the Holy Father Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to those who read or listen for 20 minutes from the Holy Bible in the Square during the event.
Lectors will be reading from a very special, handmade Bible. The Bible measures 12”x 18” in its closed position and weighs nearly 25 lbs. Ite was blessed by Pope Francis during the Year of Mercy.
For more information, visit Fête-Dieu website at www.fetedieuduteche.org or on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CommunityofJesusCrusified/ or contact Fr. Champagneat 337-394-6550 or email him at fetedieuduteche@gmail.com.