LSN Staff Report
RICHARD - The annual Mass of Petition, this year marking the 64th anniversary of the death of Charlene Marie Richard, will be offered on Friday, Aug. 11, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Richard.
This year’s celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the praying of the Rosary, immediately followed by the annual Mass to begin at 6 p.m. in church with Fr. Taylor Reynolds as celebrant.
Public is invited to attend the anniversary Rosary and Mass, but space is limited.
Known as the “Little Cajun Saint”, Charlene Richard was a 12-year-old Roman Catholic Cajun girl from Richard of Acadia Parish. She has become a focus of a popular belief that she is a saint, one who has performed a number of miracles.
Local Catholic clergy and diocesan officials permitted, promoted and participated in the popular veneration of Richard for years prior to her being named a Servant of God in 2020, the first step in the canonization process.
In January of 2020, Charlene Richard was one of three Acadiana residents to take the first step towards possible sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette officially opened the “Cause for Canonization” of Charlene Richard during ceremonies held at Immaculata Chapel in Lafayette.
Each of the three candidates, Richard, Auguste “Nonco” Pelafigue and Lt. Father J. Verbis Lafleur, are beloved, not only in South Louisiana but around the world, for their strong Catholic faith and their loving devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church, and their nomination is a testament to the rich diversity of our Diocese.
Stories of miraculous healing have been attributed to all three of the candidates.
Richard was an Acadia Parish middle school student and athlete of Richard School, who died at the age of 12 in 1959, just two weeks after being diagnosed with acute leukemia.
While hospitalized, she offered her suffering to God in prayers for others.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.