IN THE MEDIA

Lafayette, Louisiana. Today, on May 1, 2024, Louisiana celebrates St. Joseph the Worker Day, as designated by 2021 Louisiana Senate Regular Session Resolution 116 and unanimously adopted on June 1, 2021 by the Louisiana State Senate, the first of its kind in the United States of America.

A prayer breakfast was hosted at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, Louisiana in the historic Oil Center where over 200 Louisiana workers, faith, and community leaders joined together in celebration. Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana was the keynote speaker offering words of inspiration and support of workers across Louisiana, past, present, and future.

Bishop Deshotel reminded us,“. . .that for the laborer, St. Joseph is a just man, a faithful spouse and father and a hard worker. He cares for his family, he guarded and protected Mary and Jesus, was obedient to God and faithful to his calling. On this day, it is appropriate for us to pause and recognize human labor is noble, creative, and a means of enriching the lives of others. It is further appropriate for us to honor all workers and to pray that St. Joseph inspire all who labor in this life.”

Acknowledgment of efforts of military, educators, first responders, health care providers, energy workers, barbers/beauticians, fisherman, farmers, auto mechanics, restaurant workers, finance, banking, insurance industry workers, and administrative staff, was made by former Lieutenant Governor and founder of USA Energy Workers, Scott A. Angelle. He shared that nearly 2.1 million Louisianans made up the civilian workforce in 2023 generating a gross domestic product of $238.2 billion. He added a special tribute to the most important vocation of all, motherhood.

Inspired by Joseph the Worker as a model for all working men and women, the Louisiana resolution points to virtues such as patience, peacefulness, prudence, protector, provider, and prayerfulness – the resolution uses historical points involving and sacred scripture to ultimately call for the elevation and celebration of all Louisiana working men and women each year on May 1, now referred to as St. Joseph the Worker Day in the State of Louisiana.

“Bishop Deshotel reminded us of the sacredness of work and his comments inspired today’s audience,” shared founder of USA Energy Workers and master of ceremonies for the event, Scott A. Angelle; and served to further echo the previous comments of Fr. Donald Hugh Calloway, Vicar Provincial of the Marians of Immaculate Conception, “This celebration sprung from the fruits of the 2021 worldwide ‘Year of St. Joseph.’ This grass-roots effort promotes great virtues, strong work ethic and zeal. I applaud Louisiana for leading the way, and I am hopeful that other states can be inspired, initiate, and implement May 1st celebrations in their schools and workplaces.”

This year’s celebration also included an educational component, as the event coordinators partnered with Diocese of Lafayette Superintendent Anna Larriviere and implemented an educational outreach program to nearly 1000 7th grade students within the Diocese, to raise awareness regarding the virtues and characteristics of St. Joseph the Worker through an essay, poetry, and arts contest. Said Superintendent Larriviere, “this was a perfect opportunity to involve our next generation of workers; this has all the makings for a national model.”

Special guests included Scanlan Foundation President, Larry W. Massey, Jr., and Catholic Literary Arts (CLA) President & Founder, Sarah Cortez. “We are excited to participate with this effort to further the mission of helping children learn to write well and to write within the unsurpassed Catholic literary and devotional traditions,”says Cortez.

CLA selected the winners of essay contests, and they were announced at today’s event. First Place: Jaxon Angelle, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School with his essay titled "A Role Model for Labor.” Second Place: Adeline Hoffpauir, Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Third Place: Gemma Nicko, St. Ignatius Catholic School.

Angelle Architects and John Paul the Great Academy Arts Instructor, Erika Littell, served as the judges for the art contest. First place was awarded to Beau Barrios, 7th Grader at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. He created a pen and ink drawing of St. Joseph the Worker featuring Louisiana imagery of a pelican, shrimp, and a carpenter’s bench. (Featured below.) Second place went to Jana Higginbotham, 7th Grade, Sts. Peter & Paul School, Scott, Louisiana and third place to Rosalie Caffery, 7th Grade, Academy of Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Each student was awarded a scholarship, personalized letter and a certificate signed by Bishop Deshotel for their efforts.

“Keeping with the Cajun tradition of sharing a cup of coffee each morning while counting our blessings and honoring the value of human work, each attendee was provided with a ‘little lagniappe’ - a commemorative mug - as well as other giveaways. We are hopeful these keepsakes will serve as reminders to live out all year long the inspiration from today! We are hopeful to continue building this unique groundswell of support for our Louisiana workers,” commented Jennifer Angelle, Event Chairperson and owner of Hugs from Heaven. To learn more, visit the newly launched website www.saintjosephtheworker.com.

John Bel Edwards

Former Governor of Louisiana

Former Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards

“We are grateful for our citizens who model the dignity of a strong work ethic and show kindness to others.”

John L. Weimer

State of Louisiana Supreme Court

Chief Justice

Chief Justice John L. Weimer

State of Louisiana Supreme Court

“I thank all of you for recognizing these people who work so hard.”

Fred Mills

Senator, State of Louisiana

“There is an authentic passion and zeal in spreading this St. Joseph devotion in Louisiana that I have personally witnessed. I was grateful to be a part of memorializing this effort at the state level for generations to come!”

Senator Fred Mills, State of Louisiana

DIOCESE OF

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

Office of the Bishop

Most Reverend

J. DOUGLAS DESHOTEL, D.D.

FR MICHAEL CHAMPAGNE

Father Michael Champagne, Superior

Community of Jesus Crucified

“Ps” of St. Joseph - his virtues highlighted

Protector.

Provider.

Prudent.

Prayerful.

Patient.

Peaceful.

Purposeful.

Pure.

Listen here to Fr Champagne’s presentation on Saint Joseph:

P’s of Saint Joseph

Fr. DONALD CALLOWAY

“This celebration sprung from the fruits of the 2021 worldwide

‘Year of St. Joseph’

This grass-roots effort promotes great virtues, strong work ethic and zeal. I applaud Louisiana for leading the way, and I am hopeful that other states can be inspired, initiate, and implement May 1 celebrations in their schools and workplaces.”

—Father Donald H. Calloway, MIC
Vicar Provincial and Vocation Director for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (Stockbridge, Massachusetts)

Find our more: www.fathercalloway.com

VIDEOS OF

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

HISTORY OF SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER | Father Donald Calloway

OUR LADY OF FATIMA | Angel Publishing | Guest Speaker: Fr. Donald Calloway

Acknowledging the wide-reaching effect of the Resolution . . .

“This initiative has grown far beyond anything I could accomplish alone—it is truly the work and perseverance of the Holy Spirit. We are simple people in a small town, taking small steps each day to live better lives—not perfectly, but with a sincere desire to share our God-given gifts wherever we can.

What began during the difficult months of COVID brought great comfort and has continued to grow ever since. The life of St. Joseph reflects virtuous living and the fruits—both seen and unseen—that flow from it. That is deeply inspiring to me.

Father Donald Calloway, MIC helped initiate this movement through the publication of his book, Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. His “yes” to the laborious research, publication, and tireless global promotion of this devotion has been remarkable. His gift lies in teaching and encouraging others to be courageous and to lean into the faith and work. He is a true leader, unafraid to enter the spiritual battle, recognizing that people need more than words—they need real tools to persevere, what he calls “dragon slayers,” armed with spiritual strength. This book and devotion arrived at a providential time for the world. With over a million copies sold and translations in 27 languages, it is clear that hearts and minds are being drawn closer to messages of faith in hope, mercy, and love.

And people are drawn to the basic but important message of the dignity of human labor and the call to honor the worker. This authenticity has sparked a groundswell that has taken root here in Louisiana, with Wisconsin following. We pray that more states will join this movement to reclaim May 1 as a day to pause and simply “thank a worker.”

Jennifer P. Angelle, President Angel Publishing | Event Chairperson & Co-Founder