Court Massabielle celebrates 97 years

Court Massabielle No. 1134, Catholic Daughters of the Americas celebrated their 97th anniversary recently. Certificates and pins for years of service were given, along with perfect attendance recognition.
Service certificates and pins went to Tessie Blanco, 65 years; Lana Domino, 55 years; Veronica Governale, 15 years; Betsy Grizzaffi, 60 years; Janice Grizzaffi, 65 years; Angela Mire, 15 years; Alice Pecoraro, 55 years; Alice Stansbury, 55 years; and Betty Vicknair, 60 years.
Jovita Compton was recognized for perfect attendance.
In July of 1929, the Rev. Andrew Souby, who was pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Morgan City, from 1898 until 1938 was granted permission to begin the process of forming a local Catholic Daughters Court.
On Aug. 25, 1929, the feast of St. Louis, patron saint of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Court Massabielle was established.
According to a compilation by Julie F. Delaunce, Souby visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, where he witnessed a miracle.  The grotto of Lourdes was Massabielle.  In gratitude to God for the privilege of witnessing a divine miracle, he pledged to build a grotto similar to the Lourdes Grotto wherever he was assigned and where he would build a church and baptistery like those seen in Europe.
Souby was assigned as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morgan City, where he achieved what he had pledged. He chose Massabielle as the name of the newly formed Catholic Daughters Court.