Fete Dieu Du Teche arrives in New Orleans for 10-year anniversary
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A fleet of boats travelled down the Mississippi from Baton Rouge as part of this year’s Fete Dieu Du Teche. The Fete is held in honor of the Catholics who were driven from Nova Scotia back in 1764 and arrived in Louisiana to continue their faith.
“Many years ago, when the Acadians settled this area, they were on Bayou Teshe; and they didn’t have priests everywhere, but they would come with the Eucharist up the river in boats and each church would muster on the shore and they’d either have mass or they’d pray before the blessed sacrament up and down the river,” Fete Dieu Du Teche Organizer Kim Hardey said.
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While this trip is traditionally held on Bayou Teche, organizer Father Michael Champagne decided this year to make the trip down the Mississippi.
The flotilla made several stops along the river, carrying the blessed sacrament as well as statues of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
“He’s been planning this for years. He went through a lot of tugboat captains and owners and said, ‘why don’t you give back? God’s been so good to you?’ and they did it,” Hardey said.
Those who participated this year say the opportunity to make this trip was incredible.
“It just seemed like the most unique way to experience Jesus and to see the holy Eucharist and on the river to bring my daughter it was really unique,” rider Ginger Spedale said.
Once off of the boats, participants walked to St. Louis Cathedral for a special mass.
“It’s so amazing seeing all these people come out for this same purpose for you and it’s so beautiful praying on this boat and knowing that it’s still alive and that it’s still with us is just so beautiful,” rider Ruby Spedale said.
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