As part of my research into the life of Venerable Henriette Delille, founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family, I recently attended aa unique Mass at St. Augustine’s Church - the place where Henriette Delille and Juliette Gaudin pledged to live in community; thus founding the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1842. St. Augustine’s has a fascinating history as it is famous for it’s “War of the Pews” which resulted in the first fully racially integrated parish in the United States. Moreover, the historic church is also located in Treme, New Orleans, home of legendary jazz greats. And that brings us to an interesting intersection between local jazz culture and faith. Once a year, St. Augustine’s Soulful Voices Choir teams up with the Treme Brass Band and Yoshio Toyama of Japan to provide the musical accompaniment for Mass at St. Augustine’s. The Mass is so well regarded that it is featured as part of the official program of the annual Louis Armstrong “Satchmo” Summerfest, which means that the church is packed to the rafters with believers and jazz lovers alike. Here’s a taste of the opening procession. And later the hymn before the final blessing.

---

The Producer Diaries  – Cheridan Sanders shares her experiences developing an original television series featuring women religious communities located in Africa, Asia and the United States. The globe-trotting adventure invites readers to delight in each community’s spiritual gifts as they: educate girls, minister to outcasts, prevent human trafficking, and so much more. The production is an exciting collaboration with the Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans and is made possible through a grant from the Conrad Hilton Foundation.