November 11, 2015 250th Anniversary Mass

It was a most special evening in the long history of one of the oldest churches in the United States.

In celebration of the 250th Anniversary (1765 - 2015) of Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church, Mother Church of the Acadians, a mass and reception were held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, the feast day of our patron saint, Saint Martin de Tours.

Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of the Diocese of Quebec, Canada presided at the mass before a completely full church of guests and parishioners.   Dozens of area Priests were in attendance and Bishops from across Louisiana served as co-celebrants for the 7pm mass.

Father Rusty P. Richard, Pastor of Saint Martin de Tours welcomed Cardinal Lacroix to his first visit to Louisiana and introduced him to Louisiana's unique culture of faith, family and food.

Reflecting on the history of Saint Martin de Tours Church to the people of St. Martin parish, Cardinal Lacroix stated, "The Canadians came here, they were refugees, they were expelled from Canada and they were brought here by boats. They came to settle this place and they were the first here and they built this church."

Cardinal Lacroix delivered a moving yet warm and upbeat homily to the congregation and cited the link between Canada and Louisiana as, centuries ago, Saint Martin de Tours church parish was part of the Diocese of Quebec, Canada.

Following the mass which culminated the celebrations of the year long 250th Anniversary year of the church, a reception was held in the historic church Presbytere and in a nearby reception hall across the church square.

Father Rusty Richard commented on the nights events, "What a wonderful tribute to this great church parish that has served the faithful for two and a half centuries and which stood at the foundation of the arrival of the Acadians to our part of Louisiana.   Cardinal Lacroix brought home the wonderful connection between our French-Canadian roots and ancestors and most fittingly touched upon the Catholic faith that unites us all."

The 250th Anniversary year of Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church closed at the evening mass on Christmas eve 2015.


 

Please click here or on the image below to the November 11, 2015 Anniversary mass video as produced by the Diocese of Lafayette.



 

NEWS COVERAGE OF OUR NOVEMBER 11, 2015 250th ANNIVERSARY MASS & RECEPTION
Great coverage from TV 3 and TV 10 in Lafayette
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Click on the links below to view an online video new story from KATC TV 3 and KLFY TV 10 relating to our November 11 250th Anniversary celebration. Our thanks to KATC and KLFY for coming out and covering this important event in our church parish history and in the history of the Acadians.

KATC STORY
http://www.katc.com/…/st-martinville-church-celebrates-250t…

KLFY STORY
http://klfy.com/…/st-martin-de-tours-catholic-church-celeb…/