On May 30, four men gave their lives over to Christ in a radical yet humble way as they were ordained to the priesthood of Jesus. Archbishop Checchio ordained Fathers Brett Barrios, Will Sigl, Joseph Bui, and James Vu during the Mass of Ordination in front of a standing room only congregation inside St. Louis Cathedral. During his homily, the Archbishop reminded the new priests that there is nothing you can do to earn the gift of the priesthood, nothing you can do to make yourself deserve this, but that it is a gift in response to God’s love: His love for them and His love for His Church. Recalling the Gospel reading for the Gospel of John, the Archbishop went on to say that like St. Peter, the new priests must stay close to Christ and to everyday recommit themselves to staying in love with Christ by telling Him that they love him. 
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Published May 25, the Pope signed the encyclical on May 15, the 135th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV personally presented his first encyclical letter at an event at the Synod Hall in the Vatican, alongside Curial cardinals, theologians, and technology leaders.

"Pope Leo reminds us that the mission of the Church is done through relationships and communion, not simply programs or information transfer. People encounter Christ through authentic human relationships," said Archbishop Checchio. "This is especially important for our Archdiocese of New Orleans with our rich cultural identity and diversity. Our different communities and backgrounds are not obstacles to unity, but beautiful expressions of the universality of the Church.  Our work of spreading the Gospel must embrace the unique history, culture, music, traditions, spirituality, and relational nature of our local Church. Gratefully, New Orleans is so uniquely Catholic!"

Read Archbishop Checchio's full statement online here.

Read the full text of encyclical: English | Spanish

During the audience with the Holy Father, Archbishop Checchio presented Pope Leo with a Spiritual Bouquet from the priests, deacons and Catholic school students of the Archdiocese of New Orleans that totaled tens of thousands of hours of prayer for Pope Leo and his intentions over the upcoming year. Along with the Spiritual Bouquet, the Holy Father received a “taste of New Orleans” as a gift from the local church.
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Archbishop Checchio visited SIX area St. Joseph Altars on his first St. Joseph Day in New Orleans! Click the link below to view the photo gallery of the day's events!
Photo Gallery

Did you know that Archbishop Checchio is the first Italian Archbishop of New Orleans? Watch his St. Joseph Day greeting online here!

One thousand youth, young adults and seminarians gathered at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Jan. 17 for a morning of Eucharistic Adoration, confession and to hear Father Mike Schmitz speak. Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio, Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Archbishop Alfred Hughes along with 17 priests heard confession during adoration. The event was sponsored in coordination with Louisiana Right to Life, Regnum Christi and Archdiocese of New Orleans CYO and Young Adult Office. 

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On a beautiful and warm December morning, the Holy Spirit was called down upon five men who have made the radical choice to give their lives in service to the people of God.
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