CATHOLIC CONNECTION
CATHOLIC CONNECTION
PUBLISHER
Bishop Francis I. Malone
EDITOR
Sophia Romanski
CONTRIBUTORS
Mary Arcement Alexander
Karla Alvarez
Delia Barr
Karen Dill
Cassandra Key
Diane Libro
Polly Maciulski
Rev. Peter Mangum
Lucy Medvec
Brett Reggio
Noemi Saybe
Rev. Charles Ssennyondo
Mike Van Vranken
Austin Young
APRIL 2025
Volume 34, Number 9 TO STAND WITH CHRIST
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention For The Month Of April
FOR THE USE OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
Cover photo of the stained glass window depicting the Five Shreveport Martyrs at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Photo by Sophia Romanski.
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES
Blanca Vice bvice@dioshpt.org 318-868-4441
SUBMISSIONS
Sophia Romanski sromanski@dioshpt.org
The Catholic Connection is a member of the Catholic Media Association.
The Diocese of Shreveport complies with Virtus’ Protecting God’s Children program (www.virtus.org). Online sessions are available. To report child sexual abuse by a cleric or church worker in the Diocese of Shreveport, call your local law enforcement agency and Mary Arcement Alexander, Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 318-588-2120. Thank you for helping to keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.
The Catholic Connection is funded in part by a grant from Catholic Home Missions and donations to the Catholic Service Appeal.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Connection is a monthly publication funded by your Catholic Service Appeal, mailed to every known Catholic household in the Diocese of Shreveport. Our mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith among the faithful. We seek to foster the application of Christ’s teachings and our Church’s mission in our daily lives and to encourage our sense of Catholic identity within our family, parish, and faith community.
APRIL SECOND COLLECTIONS
April 18 - Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land Support the pastoral, charitable, educational, and social works for the welfare of Christian brethren in the Holy land.
April 19/20 - Office of Diocesan Church Vocations Department Support our seminarians and retired priests. 100% of collections remain within the Diocese of Shreveport.
Very Rev. Msgr. Matthew T. Long
Dcn. Charles Thomas, OFS
Karla Alvarez
Rev. Kevin Mues
Rosalba Quiroz
Feasts & Solemnities Priest(s) in the Diocese of Shreveport to pray for daily
SUGGESTED PRAYER FOR OUR PRIESTS:
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Especially ___________________________________ (insert name(s) here) Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Bishop Malone's Calendar Special Events in the Diocese of
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.
Msgr. Matthew T. Long Msgr. Rothell Price Fr. Gabriel Cisneros Campos
Fr. Fidel Mondragón
Fr. Peter Romanus Mallya
Fr. Philip Michiels, Msgr. Earl Provenza All deceased priests of the Diocese of Shreveport
Fr. James Dominic Thekkemury, Fr. Jocesph C. Howard, Jr.
Fr. Michael Thang’wa Bishop Francis I. Malone
Fr. Kelby Tingle
Fr. Jerry Daigle, Jr.
Fr. Jean Bosco Uwamungu
Fr. Nicholas Duncan
Fr. Charles Ssennyondo, Fr. Joseph Maddala
Fr. Richard Norsworthy, Fr. Rigoberto Betancurt Cortés
Fr. Mark Franklin, Fr. Karl Daigle
Fr. James McLelland, Fr. Charles Glorioso Fr. Adrian Fischer, Fr. Patrick Madden
Fr. Mark Watson, Fr. Peter Mangum
Fr. Kevin Mues Fr. Duane Trombetta
Fr. Tobias Omondi Obado
Fr. Calistus Barasa Makokha
Fr. Do Minh Vu
Fr. Raney Johnson
Shreveport
Joseph Martina,
Friday
Timothy Hurd, Fr. James Moran
Fr. Joseph Ampatt
Fr. LaVerne “Pike” Thomas
Fr. Keith Garvin
Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 AM
Clergy Day of Reflection; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Chrism Mass; Cathedral of St. John
Palm Sunday Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 am
Holy Hour in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday at Cathedral of St. John Berchmans 2:30 pm Easter Sunday Mass; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 11:00 AM
Saturday Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mass of the Lord’s Supper; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 6:00 PM
of St. Vincent de Paul’s Good Friday Way of the Cross Walk for Justice; First United Methodist Church, Shreveport; 9:00 AM
Vigil; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 8:00 PM
Confirmation; St. Joseph Church, Bastrop; 6:00 PM
Confirmation; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Shreveport; 4:00 PM
Confirmation; St. Paul Church, Minden; 11:00 AM
Commemoration of the Passion; Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport; 3:00 PM
Confirmation; St. Paschal Church, West Monroe; 6:00 PM
A Fertile and Fruitful Faith
FROM THE EDITOR
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (Jn. 15: 12-13)
14
The Uganda Martyrs: Beacons of African Christianity Rev. Charles Ssennyondo shares the inspiring story of The Uganda Martyrs.
18
The Shreveport Martyrs: Our Saints Next Door Rev. Peter B. Mangum reflects on the Five Shreveport Martyrs.
I confess: I never paid too much attention to the readings during Mass until very embarrassingly recently. It seems ridiculous, but right up until I sat down to write this editor's note, I never realized these two verses were in the same paragraph. I had always assumed they were separate conversations on separate days.
John 15:12 is a line most of us grew up hearing, regardless of our weekly Mass attendance records or religious upbringing. The famed "Golden Rule" more or less transcends the cultural divide. The second part, though, gets lost. We do ourselves a disservice by separating the notion of loving one another from the reality of Christ's sacrifice for us. We cannot follow this most important commandment if we are unwilling to die for our faith.
We like to consider the reality of martyrdom from a distance, but the truth is, it may not be so distant. How ready are you to stand by your faith? If you were faced with beheading, stoning, burning, hanging, or any of the other horrifying tortures inflicted upon the saints we venerate, can you honestly say you would lay down your life for Jesus?
Diocesan Seminarian Austin Young shares his experience in Guatemala.
FROM THE BISHOP
The apostles were a curious bunch of first followers of Jesus. We know more about some of them, but less about most. I often wonder how their lives unfolded over time, since I know most experienced a violent death. In a poem titled, "Indifference." G. Studdard Kennedy described the mindset of the followers of Christ and the price they would be asked to pay in order to follow Him.: “When Jesus came to Golgotha they hanged Him on a tree. … red were His wounds and deep, For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.” Kennedy goes on to compare Christ’s sufferings in His flesh to when Jesus came to “our town” instead of Golgotha. Kennedy writes of how, upon seeing Jesus in His human suffering, people simply ignored Him, and Jesus “sighed” for Calvary. Archbishop Sheen opined that the indifference of people today to the sufferings of Jesus in His members is more intense to Christ than the nails and the cross were, and that Jesus would prefer the physical sufferings to the emotional indifference we sometimes tolerate in others.
I am among the first to claim physical pain and suffering is more dreadful because it touches my body… it’s just too close. If honest, I have to admit that I am not always attentive to others’ emotional and physical suffering. While I try to do better, I would rather tolerate what others suffer than the pain that might come my way.
When I think about the apostles, I wonder what their initial response would have been when He called them to follow Him if they had known there was a physical price to pay for saying, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you.” Martyrdom. It’s not only a fearful thing to think about, it’s even difficult to accept, because we don’t want to suffer. Honestly, we would probably do anything to avoid it. As a priest, I have witnessed much suffering in others’ lives. My words and actions have sometimes helped in a situation; sometimes, I fell short. The closer it came to me – my person, my body, my emotions – and even when I knew it might bring me closer to Jesus, martyrdom was way down on the list of hoped-for experiences that
discipleship would bring my way. My life’s experiences confirm that most of us feel the same way.
During Holy Week in 1980, one of my young parishioners died tragically in an automobile accident. It deeply impacted her family and also the entire parish community. Two days after her death, our parish commemorated the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. You’re likely familiar with the ceremony, especially that moment when the congregation is invited to approach the sanctuary and reverence the cross, some by kneeling before it and some by kissing it. As I stood in the sanctuary observing members come forward, I suddenly noticed her father in line, approaching the cross. When his turn came, he fell to his knees and literally and forcibly grabbed the cross from the young servers holding it – and he took it in his arms, embraced it, and kissed it. I do not think I have ever, before or since, experienced someone embracing a cross as he did that day, as one embracing his own kind of martyrdom.
With this month’s Catholic Connection challenging us to reflect on martyrdom, I am reminded that few of us will ever be asked to accept physical martyrdom in the manner of the apostles or countless saints – but as we know, martyrdom takes many forms, and perhaps, some reading this now feel a pain just as intense, even without shedding blood.
The Lenten season for some of us, especially on Good Friday, brings front and center the whole world of martyrdom, and also martyrdom of those close by. May we embrace what we see before us in Christ’s sufferings as an invitation to draw from Him what strength we and our brothers and sisters need the most, martyrs that we might be.
por el obispo
Los apóstoles eran un grupo curioso de los primeros seguidores de Jesús. Sabemos más sobre algunos de ellos, pero menos sobre la mayoría. A menudo me pregunto cómo se desarrollaron sus vidas con el tiempo, ya que sé que la mayoría enfrentó la muerte de manera violenta.
En el poema “Indiferencia” de G. Studdard Kennedy, el autor describe la mentalidad de los seguidores de Cristo y el precio que tendrán que pagar cuando Jesús se cruce en su camino:
“Cuando Jesús llegó al Gólgota, lo clavaron en un madero. ... rojas eran sus heridas y profundas, Porque aquellos eran días crueles y brutales, y la carne humana era barata.”
Kennedy continúa comparando los sufrimientos de Cristo en su carne con lo que sucedería si Jesús viniera a “nuestro pueblo” en lugar de al Gólgota. Kennedy escribe que, al ver a Jesús en su sufrimiento humano, la gente simplemente lo ignoraba, y Jesús “suspiraba” por el Calvario. El arzobispo Sheen opinaba que la indiferencia de las personas hoy ante los sufrimientos de Jesús en sus miembros es más dolorosa para Cristo que los clavos y la cruz, y que Jesús preferiría los sufrimientos físicos antes que la indiferencia emocional que a veces toleramos en los demás.
Yo soy de los primeros en afirmar que el dolor físico y el sufrimiento son más terribles porque tocan mi cuerpo… está demasiado cerca. Si soy honesto, debo admitir que no siempre estoy atento al sufrimiento físico y emocional de los demás. Aunque intento mejorar, a menudo prefiero tolerar lo que otros sufren que enfrentar el dolor que podría venir hacia mí.
Volviendo a los apóstoles, me pregunto cuál habría sido su reacción inicial cuando Jesús los llamó a seguirlo, si hubieran sabido que habría un precio físico por decir: “Sí, Señor, te seguiré”. El martirio. No solo es algo aterrador de imaginar, sino que también es difícil de aceptar, porque no queremos sufrir. Sinceramente, probablemente haríamos cualquier cosa para evitarlo. Como sacerdote, he sido testigo de mucho sufrimiento en la vida de otros. A veces, mis palabras y acciones han ayudado en una situación; otras veces, me he quedado corto. Cuanto más se acercaba el sufrimiento a mí –a mi persona, mi cuerpo, mis emociones–, incluso sabiendo que podría acercarme más a Jesús, el martirio estaba muy abajo en la lista de experiencias que esperaba que el discipulado me trajera. Mi experiencia de vida confirma que la mayoría de nosotros siente lo mismo.
Durante la Semana Santa de 1980, una de mis jóvenes feligresas murió trágicamente en un accidente automovilístico. Su muerte impactó profundamente a su familia y a toda la comunidad parroquial. Dos días después de su fallecimiento, nuestra parroquia conmemoró la Pasión de Jesús el Viernes Santo. Probablemente estén familiarizados con la ceremonia, especialmente con ese momento en que la congregación es invitada a acercarse al santuario para venerar la cruz, algunos arrodillándose ante ella y otros besándola. Mientras estaba en el
santuario observando a los feligreses acercarse, de repente noté al padre de la joven en la fila, aproximándose a la cruz. Cuando llegó su turno, cayó de rodillas y, literalmente, arrebató la cruz de las manos de los jóvenes servidores que la sostenían. La tomó en sus brazos, la abrazó con fuerza y la besó. Creo que nunca antes, ni desde entonces, he presenciado a alguien abrazar la cruz como él lo hizo ese día, como quien abraza su propio tipo de martirio.
Con esta edición de Catholic Connection que nos invita a reflexionar sobre el martirio, recuerdo que pocos de nosotros seremos llamados a aceptar el martirio físico de la manera en que lo hicieron los apóstoles o innumerables santos. Sin embargo, como sabemos, el martirio adopta muchas formas, y tal vez algunos que leen esto ahora sienten un dolor igual de intenso, incluso sin derramar sangre.
El tiempo de Cuaresma, especialmente el Viernes Santo, nos trae al centro del escenario la realidad del martirio, tanto el de Cristo como el de quienes nos rodean. Que podamos abrazar lo que vemos ante nosotros en los sufrimientos de Cristo como una invitación a recibir de Él la fortaleza que nosotros y nuestros hermanos y hermanas más necesitamos, mártires que quizá ya somos.
Para obtener más información sobre las oportunidades del Ministerio Multicultural en la Diócesis de Shreveport y para encontrar nuestros horarios y lugares de misa en español, por favor escanee el código aquí.
The Importance of Love and Sacrifice
SACRIFICE - TO GIVE UP SOMETHING THAT IS VALUABLE TO YOU IN ORDER TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON.
During the seasons of Lent and Easter, we often describe God's love for all of us through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus. Love and sacrifice often go hand in hand. It is often found that one of the best expressions of love is sacrifice and that genuine sacrifice cannot exist without love. When I look at the picture above, I see two men sacrificing so much to give their love and lives to God and us. So often, we do not realize the sacrifices that are made so that priests can serve us with love. Beginning in seminary and continuing throughout their lives to retirement, our priests live these sacrificial lives made possible in part through our love, prayers, financial support, or, in some instances, sacrificial giving.
Sacrificial giving – the act of offering something of significant value to God, often at a personal cost or discomfort. Giving is a profound expression of faith, obedience, and worship and a willingness to prioritize God's kingdom over personal gain or comfort
When we give our time, talent, and resources as gifts, are we truly giving with our whole hearts? Now more than ever, there is an uncertainty that makes us cautious in our giving. It is hard to trust completely that the Lord will provide for us, but as we are always told, isn't all we have in life truly a gift from God? When we make a sacrificial gift, whether it is to our church, to help a family member or friend, to our favorite charities, or to support the missions of our diocese through the Catholic Service Appeal, we have to believe – truly believe – that our gifts are reflecting the love and sacrifice that Jesus gave to the world. The benefits we get from sacrificial giving may not immediately return to us, but they will help others now and for years to come.
here to donate to the Appeal online!
Next time you attend Mass, take a moment in prayer to thank God and our priests for the sacrifices they have made. Be kind to our priests. Love our priests. Their love and sacrifice for us guide our path to Heaven.
Donations to the Catholic Service Appeal support our seminarians, current priests, and retired priests. You can make a gift today by scanning the QR code below. Thank you for your support of the Diocese of Shreveport.
Lucy Medvec is the Director of Development and Stewardship for the Diocese of Shreveport.
The Diocese of Shreveport invites you to celebrate the Jubilee Year of 2025 with an unforgettable pilgrimage to Italy alongside thousands of young adults to rediscover the beauty of our Catholic faith!
Embark on a Pilgrimage to Italy with the Department of Multicultural Ministries!
For more than 20 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has sponsored the Good Friday Way of the Cross, Walk for Justice, in downtown Shreveport. The event seeks to both follow Christ in his Passion on the Way of the Cross and recognize the efforts of multiple local agencies that practice Christ’s Passion by serving those in need.
Growing each year, with over 400 people participating, it is a truly community and ecumenical event. We are honored by our friends at First Methodist Church who graciously offer their property as the gathering place for the event’s beginning and end. Additional supporting agencies involved include : Mary’s House, Fuller Center for Housing, Christian Service Program, MLK Health Center, Mercy Center, Hope House, Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Providence House, The Hub Ministry, Louisiana Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Catholic Charities, and The Lighthouse of Volunteers of America (VOA).
ROME & ASSISI
Spanning about 1.4 miles, the walk is also a prayer service, progressing through 14 sites (stations) where agency representatives lead that station’s prayer. As we are all called to be more than observers – we are called to discipleship –participants also find they learn more about each agency and its ministry. Join us, and perhaps you will feel a connection and hear a calling to a ministry provided by one of these agencies that serve those in need in our community.
The Diocese of Shreveport invites you to celebrate the Jubilee Year of 2025 with an unforgettable pilgrimage to Italy alongside thousandas of young adults to rediscover the beauty of our Catholic Faith!
JULY 26 - AUGUST 5TH, 2025
20 YRS AND OLDER
Find plenty of parking behind First United Methodist Church, downtown Shreveport. We begin walking at 9:00 a.m. and expect to conclude by 11:00 a.m. For inclement weather, we hold the event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, downtown.
$4475 PER PERSON
This is a perfect way to move toward Easter! Former attendees consistently find it a meaningful experience. We hope to see you there!
Submitted by Corey Arcement
A Fertile and Fruitful Faith
"Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it."
-Isaiah 55: 10-11
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO GARDEN AND THOSE WHO FARM, YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT SOIL QUALITY IS FOR GROWING YOUR GARDEN OR CROP. HOWEVER, one of the last things that comes to my mind when appreciating a beautiful garden is the fertilizer. Fertilizer goes unnoticed, yet it’s at work. If I had to put a word to it, I would call it “humble.” It is humble because it is down to earth, unnoticed, and unknown, but crucial. It makes the soil fertile so that much fruit may grow.
It was Tertullian who said, " Sanguinis martyrum, semen
christianorum," or, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." You might know about Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma sent to a mission in the small town of Atitlan, Guatemala. It was evident he loved the people of God there, but the country’s government was corrupt, and some didn’t like Blessed Rother. After receiving numerous threats, including against his life, he was sent back to the United States. But he knew his Heart belonged in Atitlan, with God’s people there. Despite the danger, he returned, but soon after was shot and killed. He was martyred for his faith and his love for God and His people.
I was blessed to visit Atitlan last year and trace Blessed Stanley’s footprints – my class prayed in the very room where he was martyred. It was moving to pray there, but seeing the fruit from his life and martyrdom was even more impactful. There are few places outside Atitlan, that I know of, that are more peaceful, simple, joyous, full of faith, safe, happy, and open to life. I remember the population was full of children! The faith is alive, and the Church is the town’s center. I believe Blessed Rother’s life – and martyrdom –were the fertilizer for such a fruitful garden of faith in Jesus Christ, in that small town of Atitlan.
We in the Diocese of Shreveport are blessed to have five Martyrs of Charity and Servants of God: Fathers Isidore Quémerais of Pleine-Fougères, Jean Pierre of Lanloup, Jean-Marie Biler of Plourivo, Louis Gergaud of Héric, and Francois Le Vézouët of Brélidy. We the Church of north Louisiana are the result of their self-sacrificial faith. We are even more blessed to have not only one but five! These martyrs loved God and His people in what is now the Diocese of Shreveport. As a student from St. Joseph School in Shreveport aptly wrote in a letter, “Faith over fear.” To be a martyr takes courage; but above all, the love and grace of God is the driving force. Know that the Diocese of Shreveport is on holy ground, with spiritually rich and fertile soil. I am excited to see what fruit is borne from such love and faith in God.
Austin Young is a seminarian for the Diocese of Shreveport
Until Death
The Story of the Georgia Martyrs
THE ARTICLE "MARTYRED IN DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE: THE STORY OF FATHER PEDRO DE CORPA AND HIS COMPANIONS IN GEORGIA" BY EDWIN BENSON RECOUNTS the 1597 martyrdom of Father Pedro de Corpa, Brother Antonio de Badajoz, and Frays (Friars) Blas de Rodríguez, Miguel de Añon, and Francisco de Veráscola. Fray Francisco de Avila endured a white martyrdom (one without death) after he briefly escaped, then was wounded, captured, and enslaved by the then-dominant tribe Guale, who lived along North America’s Atlantic coast. (The Guale’s numbers later so declined due to disease and tribal warfare that when the English established the Georgia Colony in 1732, the surviving Guale had been absorbed into other tribes.)
However, the Franciscans had been serving peacefully as missionaries for about a decade with the Guale, in the village of Tolomato, near what is now Savannah, Georgia. Juanillo was a Guale who had been baptized and married in the Church, but also had considerable influence as a relative of and the expected successor to Don Francisco, a cacique chief. When Juanillo took a second wife, polygamy being rampantly practiced among the Guale before their conversions; Father de Corpa publicly objected, but Juanillo persisted in his sinful behavior. To prevent the faith from being undermined, Father de Corpa used his influence to stop Juanillo from becoming a cacique.
Juanillo became so angry he clubbed Father de Corpa to death as the friar said his morning prayers in his dwelling, then convinced the non-Catholic Guale to revolt against
the Catholic missionaries. They killed four more friars and enslaved Fray de Avila for nine months. Mentally and physically tortured as the Guale tried to force him to break his vows, the friar was rescued in June 1598 by a Spanish military patrol. Eventually landing in Havana, Cuba, he wrote the only eyewitness account of the Revolt. Cuba’s governor had been sent by Spanish King Philip III to carry the True Faith to the natives, and it was his son, Fernando de Valdés, who investigated the incident and later attested that the missionaries were killed for opposing Juanillo’s polygamy to uphold the sanctity of marriage within the Catholic faith.
Thus, Father de Corpa's defense of traditional marriage led to his death and that of his companions. Their cause for beatification and canonization was initiated in 1950 and entered officially in 1981 – over three centuries later; in part, a testament to the Catholic Church’s care in pursuing such causes. Their cause for beatification was finally approved by Pope Francis on January 27, 2025.
Noemi Saybe is the Director of Family Life at the Diocese of Shreveport.
Hasta la muerte
La historia de los mártires de Georgia
EL ARTÍCULO "MÁRTIRES EN DEFENSA DEL MATRIMONIO: LA HISTORIA DEL PADRE PEDRO DE CORPA Y SUS COMPAÑEROS EN GEORGIA" DE EDWIN BENSON RELATA el martirio del Padre Pedro de Corpa, Fray Blas Rodríguez, Fray Miguel de Añon, Hermano Antonio de Badajoz y Fray Francisco de Veráscola en 1597. Además, un "martirio blanco"— que no resulta en muerte—esperaba a Fray Francisco de Ávila quien logró escapar brevemente, fue herido, capturado y esclavizado por los Guale, una tribu polígama.
Los franciscanos misionaron en lo que hoy es el estado de Georgia, en el pueblo de Tolomato, no muy lejos de Savannah, durante aproximadamente una década antes de ser asesinados por los Guale, tras una revuelta liderada por Juanillo. Los Guale eran una tribu indígena ubicada a lo largo de la costa atlántica de América del Norte, operando desde lo que hoy es San Agustín, Florida. Son apenas mencionados en la historia porque poco a poco fueron desapareciendo a lo largo del siglo XVII debido a enfermedades y guerras con otras tribus. Cuando los ingleses establecieron la colonia de Georgia en 1732, los pocos Guale sobrevivientes habían sido absorbidos por otras tribus.
En el tiempo en que los Guale dominaban, Juanillo tenía una gran influencia, ya que era pariente de Don Francisco, un cacique. Puesto que algún día Juanillo ocuparía. Juanillo estaba bautizado y casado por la Iglesia. Sin embargo, la poligamia había sido practicada ampliamente entre los Guale antes de su conversión. Juanillo decidió tomar una segunda esposa. Fray Pedro de Corpa se opuso públicamente. Cuando Juanillo persistió en su comportamiento pecaminoso, el Padre de Corpa utilizó su influencia para evitar que el polígamo socavara la fe y se convirtiera en cacique.
En su ira, mientras el Padre de Corpa decía sus oraciones matutinas, Juanillo entró en la vivienda del sacerdote y lo mató a golpes. Luego convenció a los Guale no católicos de sublevarse contra los misioneros católicos, lo que causó una revuelta y resultó en la muerte de tres sacerdotes más, un hermano religioso y la esclavización de un quinto sacerdote durante nueve meses. Este último fue torturado mental y físicamente para obligarlo a romper sus votos. Sin embargo, en junio de 1598, una patrulla militar española rescató al sacerdote y lo llevó posteriormente a La Habana, Cuba. Cuando su salud mejoró, escribió el único testimonio ocular de algún aspecto de la revuelta. Además de sus relatos, una investigación realizada por Fernando de Valdés, hijo del gobernador de Cuba, quien fue enviado por el rey español Felipe III para llevar la Verdadera Fe, también atestiguó que los misioneros fueron asesinados porque se oponían al estilo de vida polígamo de Juanillo y defendían la santidad del matrimonio dentro de la fe católica. La defensa del matrimonio tradicional por parte del Padre de Corpa lo llevó a su muerte, junto con la de sus compañeros.
Su causa fue iniciada en 1950 y oficialmente registrada en 1981—demorada por más de tres siglos debido a los cuidadosos procedimientos de la Iglesia Católica, pero finalmente fue aprobada por el Papa Francisco el 27 de enero de 2025.
Noemi Saybe es la directora de Matrimonio y Vida Familiar de la Diócesis de Shreveport.
The Uganda Martyrs
Beacons of African Christianity
THE EARLY CHURCH’S VENERATION OF THE MARTYRS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERSECUTIONS, LED TO THE BROADER PRACTICE OF VENERATING SAINTS. ADMIRATION for these faith-filled people’s testimony to their faith inspired the first Christians to venerate their relics and follow their example. This is also the story of Uganda’s early Church and of Africa at large.
As imitators of Christ following in the Divine Master’s footsteps, these special saints confront suffering and death for His sake, and they are loved because of the incomparable devotion they lived for their King and Master. Early Church documents show that the veneration of martyrs developed consistently with the biblical witness. Since martyrs are those whose life and death imitated Christ and who, in death, are assured close and immediate communion with God, the Christian assembly lovingly read of their martyrdom to commemorate their dies natalis. When persecutions subsided, Christians gradually focused on the non-martyr saints, and over centuries, the Holy Church promulgated laws to organize and regulate the exterior acts of this cult (meaning a specific form of worship or religious observance), such as we know it today.
Allow me, then, to introduce to you African martyrs who became the beacon of Christianity in the Sub-Saharan Africa. The Uganda Martyrs are 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity, between 14 and 54 years old, in the Kingdom of Buganda (in current Uganda) who were executed between Jan. 31,1885, and Jan. 27,1887. Most
served as pages in the King’s palace and had received faith for fewer than 8 years; some were still neophytes when martyred. Christianity came to Uganda in 1877 (Anglican) and 1879 (Catholic), and the majority of martyrs were executed on June 3, 1886.
On that fateful night, King Mwanga called all his royal servants to gather at his left. He then ordered all who subscribed to the “white man’s” religion to cross to his right. Taking the hand of the youngest martyr, St. Kizito, St. Charles Lwanga crossed to the right and was followed by the rest. The king ordered their executions for refusing to yield to his religious demands, which he saw as insubordination. All who crossed over were burnt alive, at Namugongo (in Kampala’s suburbs), but they died singing songs of praise. Pope Paul VI canonized them in 1964, and their story became the spring of evangelization in Sub-Saharan Africa. Christianity’s introduction changed Uganda’s pagan world, beginning with those close to political power. The news of Jesus the King disturbed the king (then King Mwanga), just as it had King Herod. Like Roman emperors, the Kings of Buganda Kingdom were the heads of their faith and played a priestly role over their subjects, and they feared losing power and domination over their subjects in matters of culture and faith. Thinking he solved the “problem” and preserved his forefathers’ faith by executing the martyrs, Mwanga never knew he actually planted seeds.
Tertullian’s words were true for the Uganda Martyrs, for the “blood of the martyrs [became] the seed of the Church,” of
Christianity, not only in Uganda, but throughout Africa and particularly in the Eastern and Southern regions. Now, over a million people from across Africa and beyond, gather every June 3rd to celebrate these gallant sons of God at the Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs, built at Namugongo in Kampala city. To the non-believers, these ‘rebels’ lost; but before God, they won!
I was named after St. Charles Lwanga, the head of the 22 Catholic Uganda Martyrs. And, I must say, my name came as a miracle that I attribute to St. Charles himself. My parents first shared the story on their 50th wedding anniversary, revealing a long-kept secret. My mother became so ill while carrying me in her womb, that all hope was lost. Both Dad and Mom believed she could not survive the pregnancy; so, they both prayed, but without revealing their prayer to each other. In my mother’s prayer, she promised the Uganda Martyrs that if she was spared and gave birth to a boy, she would name him after St. Charles Lwanga. My father’s prayer offered a similar promise to God. The Uganda Martyrs are celebrated on June 3, and I was born during their month, on June 9.
At my baptism a week after my birth, my father proposed I be named Charles, then my mother said she had chosen the same name, and they revealed to each other why. For this reason, I consider myself a miracle child, referring to myself as Zechariah’s child.
Martyrs challenge us to witness to Christ in the most difficult moments, and they are near to us in our trials. We may not shed blood, but our everyday witness joins us to their merits. I invite you to invoke the intercession of St. Charles and his companions, especially for people facing persecution for their faith and for young people across the globe in a crisis of faith. Pray that they witness to their faith to the end!
Rev. Charles Ssennyondo is the Associate Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ruston, LA and St. Lucy Parish in Hodge, LA.
Jubilee 101 Your Questions Answered
POPE FRANCIS INVITES THE GLOBAL CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TO EMBRACE THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025 AS "PILGRIMS OF HOPE," URGING THE FAITHFUL to rekindle hope and look to the future with trust, openness, and vision.
We are all encouraged to take a pilgrimage to all four of the following Holy Places during the Jubilee Year designated by Bishop Malone: Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Holy Trinity (Minor Shrine for the Shreveport Martyrs) in Shreveport, St. John the Baptist Church in Many, and St. Matthew Church in Monroe. These sacred sites of prayer offer opportunities for indulgences, confession, and spiritual renewal.
Each of these churches is special in our diocese, the Cathedral as the mother church of the diocese, and the others for their significance to our Five Priests, Servants of God on their path to sainthood. These priests are incredible witnesses of “Pilgrims of Hope” as they ministered to the sick and dying during the dark time of the yellow fever epidemic.
During this year, Catholics in our diocese are called to undertake a pilgrimage to the designated churches and our minor shrine to receive a Plenary Indulgence. At each of the Holy Sites, you will find signs of welcome and a Prayer Card with the Jubilee Prayer, conditions for receiving the indulgence, and a place to note the date you visited each of the sites. Think of it as a “passport” to document your pilgrimage.
To obtain a Plenary Indulgence, a pious visit includes spending a “suitable” amount of time during a prayerful visit in Eucharistic adoration, either in exposition or before the tabernacle, in meditation, and concluding in prayer for the intentions of Pope Francis, with the recitation of the Our Father, any legitimate form of the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Conditions for the Indulgences
To obtain any of the plenary indulgences, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
• Detachment from all sin, even venial.
• Sacramental confession and Holy Communion.
• Prayer for the intentions of the pope.
These three conditions can be fulfilled a few days before or after performing the works to gain the indulgence, but it is appropriate that Communion and the prayer take place on the same day that the work is completed.
A single sacramental confession is sufficient for several plenary indulgences, but frequent sacramental confession is encouraged to obtain the grace of deeper conversion and purity of heart. For each plenary indulgence that is sought, however, a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required. The prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father is left up to the choice of the individual, but an Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested.
The diocesan website (www.dioshpt.org) will offer information throughout the year. Listed on the site will be the Mass and Confession schedules for each of the Holy Sites along with any special events they have planned for the Jubilee year. Each month we will publish the prayer intentions of Pope Francis. There will be a link to the Vatican’s Jubilee website where we learn about the roots of the Jubilee and the call to Catholics to engage in prayer, acts of mercy, and pilgrimage.
Delia Barr is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Shreveport.
You Are My Witness
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. — Acts 1: 8
IN A VIDEO LECTURE ON THE BOOK OF ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (ACTS), BIBLICAL SCHOLAR JEFF CAVINS EXPLAINED THAT JESUS PRONOUNCED THE ABOVE instruction as He was ascending into heaven. His eleven apostles heard His “Great Commission,” a mission statement also intended for all of us today if we consider ourselves His disciples. Cavins explained that the word “witness” had several meanings in Greek, the language Acts was originally written in. A witness is one who will testify under oath to what he or she has seen or heard first-hand. We, then, are all called to evangelize – to spread the Good News of the Gospel whenever and wherever we get the chance. And our Christian behavior is a powerful witness to our dedication to Jesus.
Cavins added that “witness” can also be translated to mean “martyr,” an idea that makes me take this Great Commission much more seriously. I try to be ready to tell people the good things Jesus has done for me personally, but am I ready to die in order to convey the truth? This was exactly what He told those apostles to do! And ten of those eleven died martyr’s deaths.
I have been intrigued by the lives of so many martyrs I have read about. What courage! What conviction! How much selflessness would I need to willingly give up my life as proof of my commitment? Martyrdom seems the ultimate act of love.
Recently, I learned about the life of an English martyr, Sir Thomas More. He enjoyed a comfortable life near London with his wife and children, held important court positions, and was a friend of Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII.
All was well until King Henry wished to divorce his wife Catherine because she failed to produce an heir. He fell in
love with Anne Boleyn, a lady-in-waiting, and needed Sir Thomas’ help to procure a divorce decree from the Pope, which would enable him to re-marry. When Sir Thomas chose to remain silent on the issue, the Pope refused the divorce, so King Henry formed his own church as the Church of England, proclaiming himself its religious leader. In a troubling scene, he gathered all Catholic bishops and political leaders and demanded they renounce their vows of loyalty to the Pope.
Sir Thomas maintained his silence and was threatened with imprisonment. His best friends and family begged him to acquiesce to the king’s request. His continued refusal led to his imprisonment in a Tower of London jail cell and eventual execution for treason. However, immediately before his beheading, Sir Thomas handed money to his executioner in thanks for hastening his reunion with Jesus. He then calmly laid his head on the chopping block.
Ironically, several key players in his indictment were themselves beheaded only a few years later. King Henry sentenced Anne to death so he could marry his third wife, and three more wives followed. Sir Thomas More’s martyrdom was and is a powerful statement of his moral convictions and his faith in Jesus. He was canonized in 1935.
"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." –Tertullian, early Church Father
Karen Dill is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
The Shreveport Martyrs
Our Saints Next Door
WHEN POPE FRANCIS KICKED OFF THE 2025 JUBILEE YEAR, HE MADE A BEAUTIFUL REQUEST: FOR EVERY DIOCESE TO HONOR THEIR OWN “SAINTS NEXT DOOR” on November 9, the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica. The liturgical feast isn’t new, but the request is a new, heartfelt invitation to remember and celebrate local men and women who lived lives of heroic virtue (those on the road to canonization as saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God). And here’s the best part: this won’t just be a one-time event during the Jubilee. The Holy Father wants this to be an annual tradition, a moment each year to draw closer to the holy ones who physically walked among us.
And for us in the Diocese of Shreveport, this hits especially close to home – because we have five Servants of God! That’s five powerful examples of holiness right in our own spiritual backyard. With this new yearly remembrance, we’re given even more opportunities to deepen our connection to these inspiring figures. In doing so, we’ll also strengthen our own bonds as a family of faith, walking together as pilgrims of hope, especially in this Jubilee Year.
Jubilees have always been special periods in the Church’s life – times of renewal, mercy, and grace. This year’s theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," couldn’t be more fitting. Hope isn’t just a vague feeling or wishful thinking. It’s something real, something we can see and touch in the lives of those who
have gone before us. The Shreveport Martyrs – our own five Servants of God – lived and breathed this hope. They didn’t just talk about it; they embodied it. And they did it right here, in the same towns and churches where we now worship.
To help us embrace this connection, Pope Francis has given every bishop the authority to designate special pilgrimage sites in their diocese. It’s no surprise that Shreveport’s chosen sites are deeply tied to our Servants of God. The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans is, of course, a central pilgrimage site, but three others also hold profound significance:
• Holy Trinity Church, Shreveport – home of the Minor Shrine to the Shreveport Martyrs
• St. Matthew Church, Monroe – founded by Servant of God Father Louis Gergaud
• St. John the Baptist Church, Many – tied to Servant of God Father Francois LeVézouët
So, while November 9 will be our annual “big day” of remembrance, the invitation to pilgrimage and prayer is open all year long.
As researchers over the years have gathered nearly 5,000 documents for the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of these holy men, one theme kept rising to the surface:
hope. It’s written in their letters, their homilies, even in the words of those who remembered them long after their deaths.
In Father Louis Gergaud’s 1866 letter to Bishop Auguste Martin, he poured out his heart about his mission in northeast Louisiana:
“It is my ardent hope… as we put our trust in the Divine Providence that empowers us.”
That hope bore fruit. Today, northeast Louisiana is home to thriving parishes and missions, a testament to the seeds he planted with faith and perseverance.
Then, there’s Father Jean Pierre, given the task to build the first Holy Trinity Church in Shreveport. He didn’t sugarcoat his struggles, but rather admitted in a letter to Bishop Martin that he was stepping into the unknown with fear – but also with hope. He wrote:
“I approach a new church for the people of Shreveport with fearful steps strengthened by hope.”
That phrase, “Fearful Steps Strengthened by Hope,” is now the title of a new book about him, published April 1 through The History Press of Arcadia Publishing. The latest in a growing series about our Servants of God, it offers deeper insights into their lives and legacy.
And something even more exciting… This summer during the Jubilee Year, we will reach a historic milestone: the diocesan phase of their Cause for Beatification and Canonization will officially close and be sent to Rome, where the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints will take the next steps. So, what do we do in the meantime? We wait. We pray. We hope.
And as we wait, let’s take inspiration from our Servants of God – those who lived with their eyes fixed on Christ, even in the midst of uncertainty, even in the face of suffering. May we walk this Jubilee Year with their same bold, unshakable hope. And may we live to see the day when they are called Venerable, Blessed, and, God-willing, Saints.
We are indeed pilgrims of hope. Let’s keep walking.
Rev. Peter B. Mangum is the pastor at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in Monroe, LA.
The Shepherd Who Didn't Run
ST. STEPHEN, ST. LAWRENCE, ST. MARGARET CLITHEROW, ST. SEBASTIAN, ST. DYMPHNA, ST. Andrew, St. Bartholomew, St. Joan of Arc, and Blessed Stanley Rother: If you had to guess, what do you think these nine people have in common? If you guessed martyrdom for their Christianity, you guessed right. If I listed all persons martyred for their belief in and love for Christ, from both the Catholic and Protestant faiths, it would fill most of this Catholic Connection.
In preparing for this month’s article, I was blown away by how many martyrs there are in Christian history. Even as I write this in 2025, Christians in parts of the world are dying for their faith. It is quite overwhelming to think that is still a possibility in the 21st century! Sadly, it is. We as American Christians are incredibly fortunate to be able to loudly and proudly profess our love for Jesus –without fear of death.
That said, what does it mean to be a martyr? An article on the Lincoln, Nebraska, diocese website states, “The word martyr means ‘witness.’ Traditionally, the Church uses that term to describe those who have given their lives as a consequence of the faith. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church says that ‘martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity. He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude’” (“Ask the Register: What does it mean to be a martyr?” Jn. 16, 2015). I did a bit of soul searching after reading this. What would I do for Jesus? For my faith? Would I witness to others who desire to harm me as a result of my belief in Him? Would I willingly stand up for Jesus in the face of death? Truth be told, I am not afraid to die; rather, I am fearful of the type of death I will endure. The “how” stirs up more anxiety than the “when.”
From all the martyrs I know of, I chose to write here about Blessed Stanley because of how and why he was killed for Jesus, his flock, and his Catholic faith. If you are unfamiliar with his story, I strongly encourage you to read more about him. Born March 27, 1935, in Okarche, Oklahoma, Stanley Francis Rother was ordained a priest on May 25, 1963, and spent most of his priesthood in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. What I find so admirable is that he actively sought this mission, knowing the extreme poverty and
potential for danger he would face. When civil war began between the militarist government forces and guerrillas, the Catholic Church was caught in the middle, and thousands of Catholics were killed. Blessed Stanley returned to Oklahoma, but only briefly, which is my main reason for writing about him: he returned to his flock. Responding to why he would do this, he simply replied, “The shepherd cannot run.” On July 28, 1981, near 1:00 a.m., Blessed Stanley was executed by three men who were never held responsible for his death. Devastated, his sheep requested that his heart remain in Guatemala, where it is enshrined today.
Brothers and sisters, although being martyred for our faith is slim, I encourage you to spend time today reflecting on the question posed above: What would you do for Jesus?
Mary Arcement Alexander is a Licensed Professional Counselor & the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator.
To Reach God
"Let me become the food of the beasts, through whom it will be given me to reach God."
- St. Ignatius of Antioch
MANY SAINTS HAVE REVERBERATED JESUS CHRIST'S RADICAL RHETORIC IN THE GOSPELS. Perhaps you have seen quotes similar to this one from St. Ignatius of Antioch. His heroic statement displays his zeal to pick up his cross and follow Christ (Lk. 9:23-25). Compare St. Ignatius with Christ's radical claim in Chapter Six of John's Gospel, where he says, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world IS MY FLESH" (John 6:51). What would your reaction be if someone in your life made a radical statement on par with the words of our Lord or St. Ignatius? I cannot be certain how I would react if I heard someone tell me that they are going somewhere to risk their life in the name of Christ. I am thankful that we do not live in a time and place of such staunch persecution of Christianity as St. Ignatius experienced in the first and second centuries.
Since I began taking my Catholic Faith seriously a few years ago, I began to learn about famous Christian martyrs, from Sts. Peter and Paul in the early church to St. Maximilian Kolbe during the Second World War. But how would a St. Peter or St. Joan of Arc fit into our time and place? Our worries are not about becoming the food of beasts or being burned alive. Perhaps these saints would live out
their martyrdom in a different way. I wish we could reach back into time and snatch a martyr to come and help us in our mission today.
The core of what mattered to these holy people was that they followed Christ, regardless of the consequences. The Saints dial themselves in on what really matters in this time we have on Earth. They do not focus on the things of temporary life but on Christ and His eternal kingdom. For that reason, I am sure that they stuck out like a sore thumb. From a non-Christian point-of-view, it would be easy to see these martyrs as monumentally foolish in their actions. Perhaps they might charitably categorize them as mentally ill. For us Catholics, these are our heroes. We strive to take their mentality and enact it in our time. Sometimes we must stand out and bear our own crowns of thorns to follow.
Are we guilty of this claim? Is there someone in your life that you can look to who follows Christ radically? And do you think others would say the same about you? Over my life, I have encountered many people of faith who go out of their way to follow Christ, chiefly by following the two greatest commandments: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. A few weeks ago, a few of us went to a seminarian basketball tournament in Columbus, Ohio. We had a very long day, playing three games and
ultimately losing in the playoffs. We planned to leave early the following day for the four-and-a-half-hour trek back to the seminary. One of my brother seminarians decided to wake up much earlier than needed, to pray a holy hour before we departed to ensure he did not fail to devote time to his relationship with Christ.
Related to this, I recently received an email from one of my brother seminarians at St. Meinrad, who is originally from Nigeria. He notified us of a young priest who was captured and killed. My heart breaks for the people of his home diocese in Kafanchan, Nigeria, who lost Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu. Along with the heartbreak, I greatly appreciate and Have respect for this priest. I am sure that he knew of the possibility of persecution, but he still served. He still followed Christ, regardless of the consequences. I hope to grow in my relationship with the Lord to make my own radical statements. And I hope you do as well.
Brett Reggio is a Seminarian of the Diocese of Shreveport.
Martyrdom
ONE MORNING, AS I WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK AND LISTENING TO A PODCAST, THE HOST SAID something that stopped me in my tracks:
"Comfort alone doesn’t initiate action or growth — there must be some sort of stressor to ignite the flame."
I found myself replaying that quote over and over. It was too powerful not to share.
We reflect on martyrdom — the lives of those who gave everything for their faith. While each martyr's story is unique, they share a common thread: they did not die fighting for comfort. Instead, they lived with the certainty that their earthly journey would be anything but comfortable. The martyrs understood that “comfort alone doesn’t initiate action of growth.”
I've often joked with friends that I’m ready to die defending our Lord, thinking of martyrdom as a direct ticket to heaven. But through prayer, God has made me realize — it’s not that simple. The question isn’t just whether I would be willing to die for my faith; it’s whether I am truly willing to live for it.
Martyrs are remembered not only for how they died but for why they died — for the way they lived. Their courage captivates us because, in contrast, we live in a world obsessed with
comfort. We chase it in everything: our cars, our vacations, our dining experiences. Even in our faith, we sometimes prioritize convenience over commitment — complaining about long Masses, wishing they were shorter to fit our schedules, or suggesting ways to make them more "efficient."
The martyrs lived differently. They didn’t seek comfort; they sought Christ. They spoke when others remained silent. They stood when others sat. They said "no" to their desires knowing that they were made for heaven. Their faith was not passive — it was bold, unwavering, and visible in every aspect of their lives. Their obedience to God’s will set them apart.
Martyrdom doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the fruit of a life deeply rooted in obedience to God. If I am not faithful to Him in private, how could I ever defend Him in public? It all comes down to the choices we make daily. Does our current life honor the will of God or does it fight for comfort. Martyrdom challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we can live authentically in a world that often pressures conformity. It invites us to embrace our faith fully, recognizing that true life is found in surrendering to God's will and serving others selflessly.
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Mt. 16:24-25). This passage highlights the paradox of Christian discipleship, where true life is found through self-denial and commitment to Christ.
The lives of the martyrs encourage us to choose: Commitment over comfort. Sacrifice over impulse. God’s will over our will.
May we reflect on the lives of the martyrs, not just admiring their deaths, but emulating their lives. I encourage you to examine your daily choices and ask the Lord to fill you with the courage to live more boldly for Him. We are all made for heaven.
Karla Alvarez is the Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Diocese of Shreveport.
Martirio
UNA MAÑANA, MIENTRAS ME PREPARABA PARA EL TRABAJO Y ESCUCHABA UN PÓDCAST, EL presentador dijo algo que me dejó sin palabras:
"La comodidad por sí sola no inicia la acción ni el crecimiento; debe haber algún tipo de desafío que encienda la llama."
Me encontré reproduciendo esa frase una y otra vez. Era demasiado poderosa para no compartirla.
Reflexionamos sobre el martirio, la vida de aquellos que lo entregaron todo por su fe. Aunque cada historia de un mártir es única, todas comparten un factor denominador: no murieron luchando por comodidad. En cambio, vivieron con la certeza de que su camino en la tierra estaría lejos de ser cómoda. Los mártires entendieron que “la comodidad por sí sola no inicia la acción ni el crecimiento.”
A menudo he bromeado con amigos diciendo que estoy lista para morir defendiendo a nuestro Señor, pensando en el martirio como un boleto directo al cielo. Pero, a través de la oración, Dios me ha hecho comprender que no es tan sencillo. La verdadera pregunta no es solo si estaría dispuesta a morir por mi fe, sino si estoy realmente dispuesta a vivir por ella.
Los mártires no solo son recordados por cómo murieron, sino también por qué murieron, por la vida que eligieron vivir. Su valentía
nos cautiva porque, en contraste, vivimos en un mundo obsesionado con la comodidad. La buscamos en todo: en nuestros autos, en nuestras vacaciones, en nuestras salidas a comer. Incluso en nuestra fe, a veces priorizamos la conveniencia sobre el compromiso: nos quejamos de que la Misa es demasiado larga, no entendemos al sacerdote, deseamos que sea más corta para ajustarse a nuestra agenda o sugerimos formas de hacerla más "eficiente."
Pero los mártires vivieron de manera diferente. No buscaron comodidad; buscaron a Cristo. Hablaron cuando otros permanecieron en silencio. Se pusieron de pie cuando otros se sentaron. Rechazaron el chisme, comprendiendo que la verdad de Dios era más importante que sus opiniones. Su fe no era pasiva; era valiente, inquebrantable y visible en cada aspecto de su vida.
El martirio no ocurre por casualidad. Es el fruto de una vida profundamente arraigada en la obediencia a Dios. Si no le soy fiel en privado, ¿cómo podré defenderlo en público? Todo se reduce a las decisiones que tomamos cada día. ¿Nuestra vida actual honra la voluntad de Dios o lucha por la comodidad?
El martirio nos desafía a examinar nuestras propias vidas y a considerar cómo podemos vivir nuestra fe con autenticidad en un mundo que constantemente nos presiona para conformarnos. Nos invita a abrazar nuestra fe por completo,
reconociendo que la verdadera vida se encuentra en la entrega a la voluntad de Dios y en el servicio desinteresado a los demás.
"Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, tome su cruz y sígame. Porque el que quiera salvar su vida, la perderá; y el que pierda su vida por causa de mí, la hallará" (Mt 16, 24-25).
Este pasaje resalta la paradoja del discipulado cristiano: la verdadera vida se encuentra a través de la abnegación y el compromiso inquebrantable con Cristo.
La vida de los mártires nos anima a elegir compromiso sobre comodidad. Sacrificio sobre impulsos. La voluntad de Dios sobre nuestra propia voluntad.
Los invito a reflejar sobre su ejemplo de los martires, no solo admirando sus muertes, sino imitando sus vidas. Te animo a examinar tus decisiones diarias y a pedirle al Señor que te llene de valor para vivir con más audacia por Él. Todos fuimos hechos para el cielo.
Karla Alvarez es la directora del Ministerio Multicultural de la Diócesis de Shreveport.
Martyr Means Witness
THE ORIGINAL GREEK WORD FOR MARTYR MEANT “WITNESS,” AND THE CATHOLIC CATECHISM WRITES that a martyr “bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine... Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of faith: it means bearing witness even to death” (CCC 2473). The martyr is a witness to Christ and united to Him by charity, a charity that means God’s love above all things and love of neighbor as ourselves. “Supreme witness” refers to one “of the highest degree” and to the “last or final” witness; one who affirms by word or deed that the truths of the faith and Christian doctrine exist and are fundamental, even to death. What does this look like in real life?
Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador was originally a quiet leader, convinced that the Salvadoran government’s oppression of the poor was justified to promote law and order. But, like all of us, he was constantly undergoing conversion. His metamorphosis led him to become an outspoken, public prophet who condemned the government's oppressive and murderous activities. As a result, seconds after he delivered his homily at Mass on March 24, 1980, government soldiers gunned him down. Thus, St. Oscar Romero became a “Supreme Witness” to Christ’s call to “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34).
We traditionally view martyrs as people like St. Oscar Romero, who give their physical life in living the
Gospel of Jesus. But let’s reflect on a more metaphorical martyrdom. During Lent, and hopefully throughout the year, we speak of “dying to self,” which usually includes witnessing our faith in some form. Could a complete dying to self as a witness to our faith be called a “spiritual martyrdom”? I believe our conversion, to the point that we live the truth of Christ’s Gospel by dying to that which we previously ignored, meets the definition of martyrdom, even absent physical death. But how to get there? Quiet, contemplative time with God and our Bible can help us awaken to this martyrdom in our lives.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” (Lk. 6:37). This direct command from Jesus to you and me has, as far as I can see, no exceptions: to live the truth of the Gospel, we cannot judge or condemn. But if you’re like me, a part of us does both. However, Jesus tells us to kill that part of us: remove the splinter from our eye and even cut out our eye or cut off our hand. He’s serious about this! By putting to death that which judges in us, we then follow Jesus’ truth – die to our old self to awaken to our new self. Can we not, at least metaphorically, call this martyrdom? And will you spend time with this, discerning if you can be this kind of martyr?
“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate
you.” (Lk. 6: 27). What might it mean to love our enemies? To forgive them and do good to them is, again, Jesus’ command to all of us. And again, I see no room for exceptions. Thus, I ask God to help me see or awaken to the sinful part of me that does not love my enemies, do good for them, nor forgive them. Once I’m awakened to my ugly shadows, I pray for the grace to remove them – to die to them – so I can fully live the Gospel. If, with God’s grace, we face our own lack of love for our enemies, eradicate it from our lives, and live a life of forgiveness and doing good for them, then we might become spiritual martyrs.
And, I wonder, is becoming a spiritual martyr more difficult than becoming a physical martyr? A physical martyr usually involves another person taking our life, while a spiritual martyr involves only God and us. All of us are called, even commanded, to root out and destroy our selfishness and hatred and to live the fullness of Jesus’ Gospel. Are you willing to become a spiritual martyr?
Mike Van Vranken is a spiritual director for the Diocese of Shreveport and a teacher of new spiritual directors for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Speak Truth In the Face of Challenges
TODAY’S USAGE OF THE WORD “MARTYR” OFTEN SOUNDS MORE LIKE "VICTIMIZATION." WE USE THE WORD TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE PERSECUTED FOR THEIR beliefs who suffered a consequence beyond their control. However, it is a full, conscious decision to accept suffering that makes people martyrs. The Catechism says the martyr “endures death through an act of fortitude” (CCC 2473).
We see this in the stories of early martyrs like St. Polycarp, who went to his death saying, “I bless you for having judged me worthy from this day and this hour to be counted among your martyrs.” Among more recent saints, Maximillian Kolbe stepped forward to take the place of a man who was to be executed, demonstrating the courage and conviction that only comes with faith.
I don’t know what I would do in such a life-or-death situation, but I pray to have the courage to remain true to the Church. Meanwhile, in these less trying times, I can speak to justice. My whole career has been directed toward speaking on behalf of people who don’t have a voice.
The ongoing debate over immigration, intensified recently, led a few people to ask if Catholic Charities would stop providing legal services to immigrants. The answer came quickly: absolutely not!
Immigration services have been core to Catholic Charities USA’s efforts since its inception in 1910. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana is currently the only nonprofit in our region providing legal assistance to this population.
As a journalist, I shared stories of those suffering and of those trying to solve injustice. Moving to nonprofits, my goals were the same: Share the truth of what is happening in the community and encourage others to join the fight.
People sometimes disagree with Catholic Charities’ approach on some issues or even that a problem exists. Once in a while, they let me know in less than kind terms. This is where the resolve of the martyrs enters: We can’t take it personally. We can’t even get defensive. We certainly can’t back down. We just speak the truth.
St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, “Martyrdom consists essentially in standing firmly to truth and justice against the assaults of persecution.”
Our services are here to help people obtain work authorization or permanent residency and eventually citizenship; for ladies like Earnestina, who lived in the United States for 20 years and last year became a citizen. Coming by the office after her ceremony, she just beamed as she showed off her new paperwork to everyone.
She was proud to be an American, something she had felt for a long time; it was made possible because of our low-cost services.
My experience is nowhere near the extreme of the martyrs, and I pray it never is. In the meantime, we will continue standing firm for our clients, inspired by the martyrs’ commitment to do the same.
Diane Libro is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.
On April 27, the first Sunday after Easter, we will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy. Based on private revelations to St. Faustina, the devotion to the Divine Mercy spread throughout the world in the 1930’s. Its message reminds us of the Church’s perpetual teaching through Scripture and Tradition: God is merciful and forgiving, and we must show mercy and forgiveness too. But the devotion calls people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone – especially the greatest sinners. As the decree instituting the feast stated: “Throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come” (The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, May 23, 2000).
On August 3, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary added: “To ensure that the faithful would observe Divine Mercy Sunday with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff [John Paul II] himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence…so that the faithful might receive in great abundance the gift of the consolation of the Holy Spirit.”
The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans (939 Jordan Street in Shreveport) is hosting a holy hour in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27 at 2:30 p.m. It will include the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, as well as offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation during and following the holy hour (as time permits). The Reverend Raney Johnson, Administrator of the Cathedral, will preside. Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to experience God’s unfathomable mercy!
Submitted by Julia P. Doolin
On February 2, 2025, Sister Lucy Scallan, D. C., passed away peacefully at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility in Opelousas, Louisiana, at the age of 99. Sister Lucy was the last surviving Daughter of the Cross in Louisiana. One of eleven children of Valbone and Irma LaBorde Scallan, five of whom had religious or priestly vocations, Sister Lucy entered the Daughters of the Cross in 1943 after graduating from St. Mary Dominican High School in New Orleans, beckoned by memories of her childhood years at St. Vincent’s. Over the years, Sister Lucy taught at St. Mary, St. Theresa, St. John Berchmans, St. Catherine, and St. Vincent’s in Shreveport; Christ the King in Bossier City; Jesus the Good Shepherd in Monroe; St. Patrick in Lake Providence; Presentation Academy in Marksville; and Sacred Heart in Moreauville. She served as chauffeur, mistress of boarders, sacristan, and organist in the convent; taught Vacation Bible School throughout the diocese; and assisted the needy with Christian services, all with her glowing smile and warm heart.
Sister Lucy’s passing brings to a close the era when the Daughters of the Cross provided the children of north Louisiana with superlative formation in faith, academics, the arts, and culture. After the arrival of ten Sisters from Treguier, France, in Avoyelles Parish in 1855, the Order conquered many obstacles and setbacks to establish and serve at 21 schools during their tenure here. In addition to the schools listed above, their schools included St. Joseph, Isle Brevelle; St. Francis De Sales, Alexandria; St. HyacinthSt. Matthew-St. Frederick, Monroe; Immaculate Conception, Mansura; St. Peter Claver, St. Michael, and Sacred Heart, Shreveport; St. Anthony, Cottonport; St. Francis de Sales, Moreauville; St. Henry, Hodge; St. Joseph, Bordelonville; and Holy Cross, Marksville.
The St. Vincent’s Alumnae Association has a small museum at the Catholic Center, 3500 Fairfield Avenue, Shreveport, in honor of St. Vincent’s Academy and the Daughters of the Cross, featuring a temporary memorial exhibit for Sister Lucy. Anyone who would like to visit the museum can contact Patti Underwood at pmunderwood@yahoo.com to set up a date and time.
Submitted by Patti Underwood
CULTIVATING THE GARDEN OF YOUR SOUL
WOMEN’S LENTEN DAY OF REFLECTION
Offered by Robin Hebert Spiritual Director, Diocese of Lafayette
EVENT DETAILS
April 12, 2025 | 8am - 2pm
Holy Angels | 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport
EVENT INFORMATION
Make plans to join us for a series of reflective talks and music by Sarah Joubert and the Holy Angels Choir. Light breakfast and lunch included.
Seating is limited, register today.
Early bird registration now through 3/31: $30
Registration 4/1 - 4/11: $35
Seminarian Burses
THANKS TO OUR RECENT DONORS:
(005) Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Burse
The Congregation of St. John's Roman Catholic Church
(008) St. Jude Parish Burse
Anonymous
(011)2 Rev. David Richter Memorial Burse #2
Anonymous
(017)2 Msgr. George Martinez Knights of Columbus Council 1337 Burse #2
Queenie M. Cascio
(023)2 Msgr. Edmund J. Moore
Memorial Burse #2
Patricia L. McGraw
(035)3 Dr. James V. & Rosemary C. Ward Burse #3
Mrs. Rosemary C. Ward
(052) Dr. Matthew Ragan Green, Jr. Memorial Burse Anonymous
Mr. Rocky Rockett
Mrs. Mary Roppolo
NEW (058) Msgr. Warren T. Larroque Memorial Burse
Mr. & Mrs. James E. McKeithen
NEW (059) ACTS of Northwest Louisiana Burse
Donation made in memory of Sandy Chapman
Gifts to the Diocese of Shreveport's Seminarian Burse Program create a legacy of giving in support of our seminarians. It currently costs an average of $50,000 per year to educate and support one seminarian and we are blessed to have six at this time.
A seminary burse can be opened with a donation of $250 or more. A burse is completed when it reaches $10,000. Once a burse is open, it can receive donations in any amount. Burses can be opened to memorialize a loved one, honor a priest, and represent a group or organization. Anyone can contribute to any of the diocese's incomplete burses.
For a list of incomplete and completed burses, please scan the QR code on this page or visit www.dioshpt.org/seminarianburses
For more information on how to establish or contribute to a burse, please contact the Development Office at (318) 2197260.
Help us complete these burses!
Your donation of any amount can help us reach $10,000 to complete the burse.
Burse #8: St. Jude Parish (current balance $8200)
Burse #23: Msgr. Edmund J. Moore Memorial Burse (current balance $9550)
Burse #30: Ottis and Anne Krupa Littlejohn Memorial Burse (current balance $7666.67)
Burse #34: Joseph B. and Lucille Provenza Cordaro Burse (current balance $7650)
Cathedral of St. John BerC hmanS
CatholiC SC hool
BE A PART OF OUR LEGACY AND JOIN OUR ALUMNI DATABASE!
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS Catholic School’s rich history is built on faith, education, and service. Those of you who are alumni are a special part of this legacy. Your experiences, memories, and achievements are woven into our school’s story, and we want to stay connected with you!
We are inviting you to sign up for our alumni database. This is an investment in SJB’s future and a way to keep the spirit of our sweet school alive. Whether you walked these halls years ago or just recently graduated, your connection to our school remains strong. By joining our database, you’ll receive updates on school events, reunions, and opportunities to give back and be able to share your journey and inspire future SJB students. Our alumni are proof of the lasting impact of a St. John’s education, and we want to celebrate your achievements!
Your involvement helps us preserve our school’s legacy while also ensuring a bright future for the next generation.
Stay connected, share your story, and continue to be a part of this faith-filled tradition that has shaped so many lives. Let’s honor the past, embrace the present, and build the future together!
Cassandra Key is the Director of Communications and Development for the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Parish and School.
St. JoSeph CatholiC SC hool
"Are they listening to me at all?"
AS TEACHERS, WE WANT TO KNOW THAT THE LESSONS WE SPEND HOURS preparing for are doing what they are designed to do, but we do not always know with certainty that they are really sinking in.
Sometimes, though, God allows us to see very clearly that our students are, in fact, listening to us and even grasping the information we are sharing...
St. Joseph Catholic School has been a busy place lately, but the last two weeks before Spring Break seemed exceptionally so. We had our annual sixth grade Religion Fair; the annual K4 Krewe of the Carpenter Parade (preceded by a tornado warning that had us all in the hallways); Ash Wednesday Mass; First Friday Adoration; and preparations began for our upcoming, fifth annual Living Stations of the Cross, an offering from our eighth grade class. As we forged through those last days before the break, our students showed us that they are, in fact, "getting it":
church for the entire class period, some come and go. The beauty of that day is the anticipation they exudefrom 1st grade through 8th - of being able to spend that quiet time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. One by one, various students get up from their pews to kneel at the communion rail, just wanting to be closer to Him. They seem to appreciate the peaceful environment, the retreat from the noise and activity, to just sit with their Lord. It's one of my favorite things to see at this school.
• Our Religion Fair was held on Thursday, February 27th, with the theme "Blesseds and Saints who died younger than 30 years old." As you know, many of those blesseds and saints died horrific deaths, simply for being Christians. Our students' research led to some amazing projects. They truly grasped the spirit of the theme: youth is no obstacle to sainthood. From Blessed Carlo Acutis to Saint Tarcisius to Saint Therese of Lisieux, whether through martyrdom or just living a beautiful, holy life, they learned that the call to sainthood doesn't wait for adulthood.
• Before the K4 Mardi Gras parade, during the tornado warning, as we waited in the hallway for the warning to expire, one student started to feel ill and needed some sugar. Another student on the other side of the hallway saw this happening, went to her locker, got the juice box from her lunch bag, and offered it to the ailing student. It was a beautiful display of several of the virtues we teach monthly: generosity, kindness, courtesy, magnanimity, so many virtues in action in one simple gesture.
• At our First Friday Adoration, some classes stay in the
Additionally, the Christian examples of blesseds, saints, parents, priests, teachers, staff, and classmates have also resulted in two of our students choosing to join the Body of Christ at this year's Easter Vigil. Our students are showing us not only that they are listening, but that they are watching. With just nine weeks left of school, let's hope they are also seeing examples of perseverance and industriousness before they leave for summer!
Polly Maciulski is the middle school religion teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School.
Around the diocese...
On February 16, 2025, Sacred Heart Parish welcomed Rev. Francis Ngumi Kamau, FMH, back to Shreveport for a special Black History Month celebration. He and Very Rev. Mark Watson celebrated Mass, followed by a comprehensive look at some brave men and women who shine as examples of holiness. Featured with particular reverence was St. Josephine Bakhita, an enslaved African girl from Olgossa, Darfur (now in modern-day Sudan) who, through the grace of God, persevered through the horrors inflicted upon her by cruel enslavers until she was legally emancipated and became a nun.
February 12 was a very special day for both students and teachers at OLFS as their schoolmate, eighth grader Jose Garcia, received his sacraments of initiation. Jose’s family and godparents stood with him to witness his Baptism, First Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. Falcon students participated in the Mass responses during the baptism, asked the saints to pray for us, and listened intently as Father John Paul Crispin explained the anointing with oil and significance of Jose being confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Jose’s family presented him with many beautiful gifts after Mass, to be blessed and then used to strengthen Jose in his spiritual journey going forward.
Divine Mercy Holy Hour
Jesus I Trust In You
St. John Berchman’s Cathedral
April 27, 2025 2:30 PM
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available during and immediately following the holy hour as time permits.
CATHOLIC CONNECTION
DIOCESE OF SHREVEPORT
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Hundreds of parishioners from across the diocese gather at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans to celebrate the Rite of Election.