Fête-Dieu du Teche procession set for Saturday

The 12th annual Fête-Dieu du Teche Eucharistic Boat Procession will return to Bayou Teche on Saturday, Aug. 15, with a 40-mile procession from Leonville to St. Martinville.
Held each year on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the event will have added significance in 2026 as the nation celebrates 250 years of American independence. This year’s prayer intention will offer thanksgiving for religious freedom and God’s blessings upon the nation while also praying for conversion and a return to Christian and Catholic roots.
August 15 also holds special significance for Acadiana. The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Assumption is Patroness of the Acadian people, and the date commemorates the arrival of Acadians in South Louisiana following their exile from what is now Nova Scotia. The procession retraces part of the historic route traveled by Acadian ancestors as they settled in the region.
The day will begin at 8 a.m. with a French Mass celebrated by Bishop John Douglas Deshotel at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville. Following Mass, pilgrims will process with the Blessed Sacrament and statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph to the Leonville boat landing. The flotilla will depart at approximately 9:30 a.m. for its journey down Bayou Teche.
The Blessed Sacrament will be carried on an altar aboard the lead boat beneath a canopy. Other boats will carry statues of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Joseph. Along the route, the procession will stop at makeshift altars where participants will gather for recitation of the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Scheduled stops include Arnaudville at 10:20 a.m., Cecilia at 11:45 a.m., Breaux Bridge at 1:35 p.m. and Parks at 3:15 p.m. The flotilla is expected to arrive in St. Martinville at 4:45 p.m. From there, participants will continue on foot to Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours and St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church before proceeding down Main Street to Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel. The day will conclude with Solemn Vespers and Benediction at Mater Dolorosa Chapel at 6 p.m.
Families, church organizations, Catholic schools and other groups are encouraged to participate. Those who cannot travel by boat may attend the opening Mass or gather at any of the scheduled stops along the banks of Bayou Teche. Prayers will be broadcast live on FM 90.3, allowing participants to listen from their vehicles, and priests will be available for Confession at each stop.
Up to 50 motorized boats will be allowed to participate, creating a procession approximately one mile long. Boaters are asked to carry an FM radio so they can join in the continuous prayers during the procession.
Boat registration and additional information are available through the Fête-Dieu du Teche website.
For additional information, contact Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC, at fetedieuduteche@gmail.com or (337) 394-6550.