By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
It was early on in the priesthood of Very Reverend Aubrey Guilbeau that he learned from the people what it means to be a priest.
“A priest needs not to be the one with all the answers, but rather one who will listen with compassion and allow the Holy Spirit to provide the answers,” he said, recalling the wise words of his first pastor, the late Monsignor Charles Dubois: “Always be present and available, and the Lord will take care of the rest.”
In recognition of his faithful presence and dedication as a priest for 43 years in the Diocese of Lake Charles, Pope Leo XIV has conferred a Papal Honor on Father Guilbeau.
He received the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (Cross for the Church and Pontiff) from His Excellency, the Most Reverend Glen John Provost, in the presence of Very Reverend Ruben J. Buller, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia; Reverend Monsignor Daniel A. Torres, Vicar General; and Very Reverend Joseph Caraway, Chancellor, on Friday, October 31, 2025, in the Chancery.
Pope Leo conferred the Honor at the request of Bishop Provost, who remarked, “I consider the service and priestly commitment of Father Guilbeau a significant blessing to the Church in Southwest Louisiana and to me personally as a Bishop.”
Father Guilbeau said that he was truly humbled by this recognition. “When I was presented the Papal Honor by Bishop Provost, I was completely surprised and speechless. It was something I never even entertained receiving as I believe there are many others equally or more deserving,” he said.
“I am grateful every day that the Lord has graced me with the priesthood,” Father Guilbeau continued. “From the vantage point of a priest, I have shared in the sorrows and joys of so many people. I am humbled by the trust people place in their priest in inviting us into the sacred parts of their lives.”
Father Guilbeau was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1982, by the Most Reverend Jude Speyrer, founding bishop. He has been a priest for most of the 45-year history of the Diocese of Lake Charles. In that time, his pastoral assignments have included church parishes of St. Raphael in Iowa, St. Margaret of Scotland in Lake Charles, Immaculate Conception in Sulphur, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and presently St. Theodore in Moss Bluff.
He has also served as Chaplain of the Deaf Apostolate since his ordination. In this role over the past 43 years, Father Guilbeau has celebrated the Holy Mass in voice and Sign Language every Saturday evening since his appointment to the Deaf Apostolate.
“Father Guilbeau is a ‘priest’s priest,’ as we say,” the bishop remarked. “Not only has he served as an exemplary pastor throughout his priesthood but also held the position of Vicar General under Bishop Edward Braxton, as well as Vocation Director, Pastor of the Cathedral, and Dean, and the Office of Vicar for Clergy, to which I appointed him several years ago.”
Bishop Provost continued, “The clergy highly respect him as a trusted friend and advisor. The faithful of the parishes to which he has been assigned also hold him in high regard.”
Father Guilbeau credits three “outstanding” people in his home parish of Our Lady Help of Christians in Jennings who modeled for him the joy of ministry.
“At the age of 27 and after exploring several different jobs and career choices, I still felt an emptiness in my life,” he shared. “The late Monsignor Ronald Groth, Father Marshall Boulet, and Sister Camille Martinez all brought new life to our church, and this was something I wanted in my life.”
He continued, “The invitation of some peers who had become active in the parish assisting with youth ministry and with their own weekly Bible Study and faith sharing, I experienced for the first time something I desired to do for the rest of my life. My discernment led to my entering the seminary.”
While each priest has his own personality and gifts, Bishop Provost said that younger priests can learn a great deal from Father Guilbeau.
“He is a hard worker, cherishes his priestly life, and is highly self-motivated, always with a view to accomplishing what Christ and His Church seeks for the Kingdom of God,” His Excellency remarked. “He does not wait to be told what to do. He thoughtfully considers the situation and acts with maturity and sound judgment.”
Another trait that Father Guilbeau brings to his priestly ministry is his calming presence, something he attributes to his mother.
“As a servant of the Lord, I always pray that I will be used to bring a sense of peace and calmness to all those whom I minister. My mother modeled that for me in our home. With prayer, she always trusted in the Lord, and I try to follow that same example,” he said. “The Lord tells us to ‘fear not,’ and so I try to live out these words.”
Throughout his ministry these past 43 years, Father Guilbeau said that he has learned more from others than they have learned from him and for that he is grateful. “The Lord never stops amazing me of His care and love.”
About the Papal Cross
The Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice honor was established by Pope Leo XIII in July of 1888. The medal is awarded to Catholics aged 45 and above for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and to the Papal office. Also known as the Cross of Honor, it comes directly from the Holy See. It consists of a cross-shaped medal depicting the apostles Peter and Paul, suspended from a ribbon of gold and white, the colors of the Holy See. In the Diocese of Lake Charles, the Cross is presented to clergy and laity for services and contributions to the Catholic Church at the Diocesan level over a period of 10 years or more.
