[Catholic Caucus] PHOTOS: Jesus Adored on the Bayou on Assumption Solemnity

National Catholic Register ^ | August 16, 2025 | Emily Malloy

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[Catholic Caucus] PHOTOS: Jesus Adored on the Bayou on Assumption Solemnity

11th-Annual Fête-Dieu du Teche: The Eucharistic Flotilla in Cajun Country

I Am Going to See Her One Day is a hymn woven into the consciousness of South Louisiana Cajuns. The reality that heaven is our true homeland is generally intuited by all Catholics, but it resonates deeply within Cajun culture.

Often forgotten is the story of the French Catholics expelled from Nova Scotia by the British 260 years ago. After a 30-year exile filled with unimaginable hardship, the scattered Acadians were welcomed into Louisiana by the king of Spain, as it was then under Spanish control.

The annual Eucharistic boat procession on the Solemnity of the Assumption in Cajun country not only articulates the deep devotion of those in the region but also commemorates the collective memory of a people on the anniversary of their wayfaring ancestors’ arrival along the same waterway: the Bayou Teche.

The Bayou Teche is a 125-mile-long waterway that sits deep within South Louisiana, nestled between sugarcane fields and accented by the humid air. The region is known for its rich, intentionally preserved Cajun culture and French language (the word “cajun” being derived from Acadian). Lafayette, in particular, is recognized as the most Catholic city in the United States, as it is home to a 50% Catholic population.

Each year, on the feast day of the Assumption, the Eucharistic Lord, in poetic fashion, is processed on that same bayou that carried the ancestors of those filling the shores and boats for the Fête-Dieu du Teche (“Feast of God on the Teche”).

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Ping

[SavannahWonderer]

That is so cool

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Eucharistic Procession down Bayou Teche, Louisiana (Images)

From Rorate Caeli

Text from St. Landry Now, with images also sent my a reader - the procession visited eight churches along the Bayou, in St. Landry Parish, deep in Acadian territory in Louisiana (Acadiana): 

August 15th is a special day in the Roman Catholic Church religion which is the feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also a day that should resonate in the hearts of those with Acadian heritage. To celebrate the event a Eucharistic procession takes place along Bayou Teche from Leonville to St. Martinville retracing the voyage of the Acadians exiled from Nova Scotia over 250 years ago.

The day started with Holy Mass at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Following the Mass the congregation made their way to the Leonville boat ramp where the boats were docked awaiting the arrival of the Blessed Sacrament and the congregation to arrive.

 

Following a brief ceremony the armada of around 40 boats made their way down the bayou making several stops at towns along the way to recite the Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Holy Sacrament.

Escorting the procession were boats from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department. (Source for text)

 

[BarbM]

This is absolutely beautiful. With all the bad news and darkness, Processions are moving every day, most quietly, but our Blessed Mother sees them and approves.

I love all the altar boys and the girls wearing their 1st communion dresses. (They cost a ton, so its nice seeing them worn)..

[sneakers]

Oh my goodness that is so beautiful!

[MDLION]

Very beautiful scenes. Christ in the boat with his fearful apostles who wonder if he’s going to sleep while they perish. We’ve probably all been there at some point. Large population of black Catholics in Louisiana.