Fête-Dieu du Mississippi

The Tenth Annual Eucharistic Boat Procession, born on the Bayou, this year will jump ship to the River! The solemn flotilla will embark on the Mighty Mississippi for a one-time only Blessing of the River and the Great State of Louisiana! No one should miss this once-in-a-lifetime cultural and religious event!  Families, businesses and churches are encouraged to “come down to the river” and participate in the two-day blessing. The extraordinary procession will begin on Wednesday, August 14, at 8 a.m. with a Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist by Bishop Michael Duca, D.D., at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Baton Rouge. Following the Mass, there will be a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Mississippi River, where the 130-mile procession and blessing will commence. At 10:30 a.m., the flotilla will depart. The boat procession will pass Plaquemine at about 12:35 p.m. and Donaldsonville at approximately 3:50 p.m.  The flotilla is slated to arrive at Convent, LA at about 5:40 p.m., where there will be a procession to the historic St. Michael Church for all-night Adoration. On Thursday, August 15, at 8:45 a.m., there will be a procession from St. Michael’s back to the river dock and at 10:00 a.m., the boats will depart for New Orleans. The procession will pass Reserve at about 12:00 p.m., Luling at about 1:40 p.m., and Audubon Park at about 3:40 p.m..  Families, parishes, and pilgrims are encouraged to gather at these revival sites along the river for prayer and reception of the blessing. The flotilla will arrive at about 4:25 p.m. in the French Quarter and there will be a Great Benediction on the levee at 5:15 p.m. in front of Jackson Square, followed by a procession into St. Louis Cathedral for a final blessing and a Solemn Mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, D.D. The 2-day festivities will conclude with a celebration in Jackson Square at 7:30 p.m. All are encouraged to “Come Down to the River” for this historic event! Register for the all-night vigil and find more information at www.fetedieuduteche.org or email us at [email protected] Companies who desire to register boats should contact Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC at [email protected] No small crafts will be allowed this year.

Wednesday, August 2024:
8:00AM – Holy Mass @ St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge w/ Bishop Michael Duca, D.D.
9:15AM – Eucharistic Procession to the River
9:45AM – Procession Arrives at River
10:30AM – Flotilla Departs
12:35PM – Blessing at Plaquemine
3:50PM – Blessing at Donaldsonville
5:40PM – Arrival at Convent
6:00PM – Procession to St. Michael’s
6:15PM – Solemn Vespers – Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP
8:30PM – Night Prayer and All-night Adoration

Thursday, August 15, 2024
7:00AM – Office of Readings
7:45AM – Morning Prayer – Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP
8:45AM – Procession to Mississippi River
10:00AM – Flotilla Departs
12:00PM – Blessing at Reserve
1:40PM – Blessing at Luling
3:40PM – Blessing at Audubon Fly
4:25PM – Arrival at Natchez Dock
5:15PM – Benediction on Levee
5:30PM – Procession to St. Louis Cathedral
6:00PM – Benediction & Closing Mass w/ Archbishop Gregory Aymond, D.D.
7:30PM – Celebration in Jackson Square