Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, OSV News

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High” (Ps 46:5).

The psalmist was clearly not speaking about the Mississippi. But his words would have been an apt description of the joy many experienced on the banks of America’s great river Aug. 14-15 as boats ferried the holy Eucharist in Louisiana from Baton Rouge to New Orleans — a distance of 130 miles.

Organized by the Community of Jesus Crucified in St. Martinville, Louisiana, the Fête-Dieu (French for “Godfest”) was two years in the making. The event was as ambitious as it was bold. Unlike most traditional expressions of Catholic faith, the Fête-Dieu required a team of engineers. Ladders and a boom lift were used throughout the procession to manage the 14-foot monstrance, and several tools were created to lift, tilt or move it from boat to church and back.

That didn’t keep the procession from being conducted with deep reverence. Designated boats rang bells, burned incense, and displayed a larger-than-life-sized crucifix and statues of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. A treasury of traditional hymns and prayers united believers of all ages and backgrounds in worship.

The large-scale undertaking aimed to stir up new evangelization and Eucharistic revival across Louisiana and bring God's blessing to the river itself. As Fête-Dieu organizer Father Michael Champagne explained, “The Mississippi has never been blessed. I talked with a man who has worked on the river for 50 years. He said, ‘I’m a Baptist, but we need to bless this river!'”

And bless it they did, with the sacramental presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The flotilla brought thousands of Louisiana Catholics to their knees as they witnessed specially made religious artifacts pass by. The two-day procession stopped at towns along its route for “River Rallies,” where residents could express their faith through processions, prayer services, adoration, and Benediction.

The event began Aug. 14 with Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge's capital city. Bishop Michael G. Duca encouraged attendees: “Jesus Christ is Lord, and he is with us! Today we bring Christ out of the church and into the world.”

A 14-inch host — large enough to be seen from levees — was consecrated then placed in a monstrance for more than a mile-long procession to boats waiting onshore.

Bishop Glen J. Provost addressed those gathered in Donaldsonville while priests assigned to "Spiritual Care Units" offered sacramental confession from decommissioned ambulances adapted for spiritual care services.

The flotilla completed 70 miles before arriving in Convent shortly before sunset where around 1,500 congregants had gathered at St. Michael Church.

Father Aquinas Guilbeau offered reflections during vespers held at St Michael's: "For Twain being on river was like being in church... Wherever there is an altar... God is there."

On Aug 15., Solemnity Assumption started early morning continued until final rally Audubon Park New Orleans evening concluded Archbishop Gregory M Aymond leading Vespers Benediction Mass Assumption outside Jackson Square live Cajun music band entertained participants

Catholics across US wondering National Eucharistic Revival take root grand creative initiatives like Fete-Dieu du Mississippi answer resounding joyful yes

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