Jules Jeanmard

Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard, installed in 1918 as first Bishop of Lafayette, was a native of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA, a small rural community near the see city of Lafayette. He came back to his native diocese after serving as Chancellor and Administrator of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Under Bishop Jeanmard's zeal and constructive planning, the spiritual life of the diocese was energized. Lay involvement in programs of Catholic action was stressed through religious instruction, spiritual conferences and retreats. Sodality, scouting and retreat movements encouraged the faith of youth of the diocese and promoted vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

In the young and growing diocese, institutions were needed to support and encourage various areas of Catholic life. Among those Bishop Jeanmard established were St. Mary's Children's Home and Immaculata Minor Seminary in Lafayette, retreat houses for men and women, and student centers at state-supported colleges.

Recognizing the value of modern communication techniques, he encouraged diocesan sponsorship of television programs, religious programs on radio in French and English, and a local diocesan newspaper (The Southwest Louisiana Register.)

Bishop Jeanmard issued pastoral letters defending the rights of labor to organize, and reminding voters and civil officials of their respective responsibilities.

In 1934, Bishop Jeanmard welcomed to the diocese the first black priests ordained by the Divine Word Missionaries. They were Fathers Anthony Bourges, Maurice Rousseve, Francis Wade, and Vincent Smith.

Bishop Jeanmard also established a number of separate church parishes for black Catholics for he believed this offered a better experience of active involvement with the church. With financial assistance from Mother Katharine Drexel, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the Diocese helped establish a number of rural schools for blacks.

Bishop Jeanmard received national attention in 1954 for excommunicating two women who had attacked a CCD teacher accused of integrating her catechism class. He also issued a pastoral letter emphasizing the right of all Catholics to religious instruction. Diocesan institutions and events were open to people of all races.

In his 38 years as Ordinary, Bishop Jeanmard set a pattern of making the church available to the people by establishing church parishes and schools and encouraging lay involvement in church affairs.

Events

Date Age Event Title 15 Aug 1879 Born Pont-Breaux, LA
10 Jun 1903 23.8 Ordained Priest Priest of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
18 Jul 1918 38.9 Appointed Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
8 Dec 1918 39.3 Ordained Bishop Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
13 Mar 1956 76.6 Retired Bishop of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
13 Mar 1956 76.6 Appointed Titular Bishop of Bareta
23 Feb 1957 77.5 Died Bishop Emeritus of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

a priest for 53.7 years
a bishop for 38.2 years