SULPHUR — His Excellency, The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, solemnly consecrated St. Francis de Sales Oratory on Monday, October 12, 2026. The historic hours-long ceremony marked the first church consecration in the American Province of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in 18 years.

It was at the invitation of Bishop Provost that the Institute established the Catholic Oratory in January 2020 breathing new life into the original location for Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, which later served as the city courthouse. The inaugural Solemn High Mass and Blessing was celebrated on March 27, 2021, following an extensive restoration.

The ancient ceremonies of this classical Roman Rite of the Dedication of a Church are rarely every fully celebrated.

The rites performed on October 12 included the external and internal lustration of the church, the writing of the Greek and Latin alphabets in ashes in the shape of a cross, the procession of the holy relics that were enshrined in the altar stone, the anointing of the 12 consecration crosses, the consecration of the altar with the holy oils, culminating in a Solemn High Mass celebrated by Monsignor Schmitz, Vicar General, in the presence of His Excellency.

Through this solemn consecration, the Oratory was set apart as a sacred dwelling of God and a precious “Gate to Heaven on Earth.”

During the consecration of St. Francis de Sales Oratory, the relic of the martyr St. Théophane Venard (1829–1861) was carried by four canons of the Institute of Christ the King in a reverent procession to the church where it was inserted and sealed into the altar stone by Bishop Provost.

St. Vénard was a French Catholic missionary priest and martyr for the Paris Foreign Missions Society and was beheaded in Tonkin, Vietnam for refusing to renounce his faith. He is particularly renowned for inspiring St. Therese of Lisieux, who frequently referred to him as her “dear brother” and drew spiritual strength from his joyful acceptance of martyrdom and his consoling letters written from prison. His feast day is celebrated on November 6.

The first Rector of the Oratory was Canon Jean-Marie Moreau who served in that role through mid-March 2025 at which time Canon Olivier Meney was assigned as Rector. Canon Moreau oversaw much of the restoration to breathe life back into the landmark.

St. Francis de Sales Oratory is a place where the harmony of truth and beauty, of faith and culture, of tradition and Catholic lifestyle can be experienced. Magnificent traditional liturgy, polyphony, Gregorian chant, occasional concerts and recitals performed by professional choirs enhance this amazing site in Louisiana.

The priests of the Institute of Christ the King offer theology, catechism classes, sacramental instruction, spiritual guidance and many events for the faithful and for the youth.

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Oratory is located at 802 South Huntington Street in Sulphur. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest apostolate, the only one of its kind in Louisiana, is home for the Traditional Latin Mass, Devotions and Sacraments.

For a complete Mass schedule, visit www.Institute-Christ-King.org/sulphur-home. To schedule a tour, call 773-891-6127.

Bishop Glen John Provost uses the tip of his crozier (pastoral staff) to write the Greek alphabet in sand along one beam of a cross and the Latin (Roman) alphabet along the other beam. The cross extended from corner to corner of the nave. Writing the full alphabets symbolizes an expansion of the Alpha and Omega representing Christ as the beginning and the end of all things. (Photography credit: Jay Balza)
The relics of St. Theophane Vénard (1829-1861) are carried into St. Francis de Sales Oratory in Sulphur during the Solemn Consecration and Dedication of the church on October 12, 2026. (Photography credit: Jay Balza)
Bishop Provost sets the blessed cement, closing the sepulchre where the relics of St. Theophane Vénard (1829-1861) were enshrined in the altar at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. (Photography credit: Jay Balza)
After anointing one of the 12 crosses on the walls, Bishop Provost incenses the cross during the classical Roman Rite of the Dedication of St. Francis de Sales Oratory in Sulphur. (Photography credit: Jay Balza)
Bishop Provost kneels before the altar in St. Francis de Sales Oratory during the Solemn Consecration after candles in the form of crosses are lit.  (Photography credit: Jay Balza)