The following has been released by Diocese of Lafayette:

LAFAYETTE, La.– In honor of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, all are invited to join Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette for the celebration of 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Leo the Great Church in Leonville. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream link provided courtesy of the diocese’s Office of Radio/TV Ministry will be accessible at www.diolaf.org.

Immediately following the Mass, Bishop Deshotel will lead a Eucharistic Procession to the

Leonville boat landing where he will oversee the launch of the second annual Eucharistic Procession down Bayou Teche. The procession will continue down Bayou Teche throughout the day, making several stops for the recitation of the rosary and Benediction along the way. The procession will conclude with Solemn Vespers and Final Benediction at Our Lady of Sorrows

Retreat Center in St. Martinville at approximately 6:00 p.m. The day’s itinerary is as follows:

  • 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass at St. Leo the Great Church, Leonville
  • 9:00 a.m. Procession from St. Leo’s to Leonville boat landing
  • 9:30 a.m. Boat Procession departs
  • 10:20 a.m. Rosary & Benediction, Arnaudville
  • 11:45 a.m. Rosary & Benediction, Cecilia
  • 1:35 p.m. Rosary & Benediction, Breaux Bridge
  • 3:15 p.m. Rosary & Benediction, Parks
  • 4:45 p.m. Arrival at Evangeline Oak, St. Martinville; Procession to Notre Dame de
  • Perpetuel Secours for Benediction
  • 5:00 p.m. Process from Notre Dame to St. Martin de Tours Church for Benediction
  • 6:00 p.m. Procession down Main Street to Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel for Solemn Vespers & Final Benediction

All are invited to participate by gathering along the banks of Bayou Teche to greet the Eucharistic Procession as it passes by. Opportunities for Roman Catholics to receive the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) will also be made available along the processional route through the presence of the Spiritual Care Unit (SCU) fleet. The SCU fleet consists of a specially revamped ambulance which was anonymously donated for the cause of mobilizing this vital sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as its latest addition of Church Haul, a repurposed trailer that has also been converted to serve as a portable confessional booth.