08/30/2026
This was printed in the bulletin at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine this weekend. It’s several “tidbits” about this beautiful church that is so often referred to as the “cathedral on the bayou.” The first tidbit mentions our beloved St. Paul Church. This, we already know. BUT … did not realize that one of the gorgeous stained glass windows in St. John’s baptistery depicted the baptism of a bayougoula Indian by none other than Fr. Paul du Ru from France! Most likely in 1699! Fr. du Ru said the first Mass in 1700. Never realized this depiction in the baptistery. So many things now make sense. The birth of Catholicism, not only in Iberville parish but in Louisiana! St. Paul, continue to pray for us 🙏🏻.