My Trip to “The Institute”
Jocelyn DuPont reflects on her transformative experience at the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana.
New Orleans
'Slaves and slave owners': Pope Leo XIV speaks on his genealogy in new interview
The pontiff more fully acknowledged his family history in response to a question about his connection to the U.S. as the first American Pope.
Planned library at Holy Rosary Institute in Louisiana to be named for Dr. Norman Francis
The new plan is part of a wide-ranging effort to preserve the site of a historic Black Catholic school in Lafayette that closed in 1993.
Louisiana's first Black Josephite priest, John Plantevigne, was barred from saying Mass
Tammy C. Barney on the trials of an early 20th-century Black Catholic priest whose ministry was curtailed by the prevailing tides of racism.
St. Augustine Church in New Orleans returns to in-building worship after nearly five years
Damage from Hurricane Ida rendered the edifice unsafe in 2021, leading to an extended fundraising campaign and a historic preservation grant.
The poor we love in theory: Do we treat them like theirs is the Kingdom of God?
Fabian Adderley probes the question of how the Church lives out (or sidesteps) the preferential option for the poor in its institutional life.
Louisiana GOP senators drop majority-Black district in proposed gerrymander
by Piper Hutchinson, Louisiana Illuminator (May 13, 2026)
Xavier University of Louisiana national champions in competitive cheer for second time in four years
The Gold Rush dethroned three-peat champions St. Ambrose with a strong final-day performance to capture the school's second-ever red banner.
(Podcast) Discovering Dédé: How OperaCréole helps bring Black opera back to life
Givonna Joseph and Aria M. Mason discuss OperaCréole and their premiere of the long-lost opera "Morgiane" by the late Black composer Edmond Dédé.
Betty Reid Soskin, centenarian Black park ranger, laid to rest in California
The late Catholic-raised activist was a central figure in the creation of a national park honoring Black and female homefront service during WWII.
Norman C. Francis, first lay president at Xavier University of Louisiana, dead at 94
The former civil rights lawyer led the school for nearly 50 years, from the Civil Rights Movement through Hurricane Katrina and beyond.
New Orleans archbishop starts tenure with visit to grave of Venerable Henriette DeLille
Archbishop James Checchio moved up from coadjutor upon the retirement of Gregory Aymond, followed by a unique move during Black History Month.
Wynton Marsalis to step down from Jazz at Lincoln Center
The widely celebrated trumpeter and composer helped popularize jazz as a standard American art form and has led JALC since its founding.
'Real musicians': Black Catholics shine at 2026 Grammy Awards
Jon Batiste, Cynthia Erivo, and FKA Twigs were big winners on music's biggest night, along with several honorees in non-competitive categories.
Fr Victor Laroche, OP, 'beloved' chaplain at Xavier University of Louisiana, dead at 66
The Haitian-born priest and administrator had served in various chaplain roles since his ordination in 2002 and began service at XULA in 2022.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw gets first Black nod for cinematography at Oscars, one of record 16 nominations for 'Sinners'
The supernatural horror film saw success at the box office last year and will now be up for a historic haul in March on the biggest night in film.