Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard

Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard, installed in 1918 as first Bishop of Lafayette, was a native of Breaux Bridge, a small rural community near the see city of Lafayette. He came back to his native diocese after serving as Chancellor and Administrator of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Under Bishop Jeanmard's zeal and constructive planning, the spiritual life of the diocese was energized. Lay involvement in programs of Catholic action was stressed through religious instruction, spiritual conferences and retreats. Sodality, scouting and retreat movements encouraged the faith of youth of the diocese and promoted vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

In the young and growing diocese, institutions were needed to support and encourage various areas of Catholic life. Among those Bishop Jeanmard established were St. Mary's Children's Home and Immaculata Minor Seminary in Lafayette, retreat houses for men and women, and student centers at state-supported colleges.

Recognizing the value of modern communication techniques, he encouraged diocesan sponsorship of television programs, religious programs on radio in French and English, and a local diocesan newspaper (The Southwest Louisiana Register.)

Bishop Jeanmard issued pastoral letters defending the rights of labor to organize, and reminding voters and civil officials of their respective responsibilities.

In 1934, Bishop Jeanmard welcomed to the diocese the first black priests ordained by the Divine Word Missionaries. They were Fathers Anthony Bourges, Maurice Rousseve, Francis Wade, and Vincent Smith.

Bishop Jeanmard also established a number of separate church parishes for black Catholics for he believed this offered a better experience of active involvement with the church. With financial assistance from Mother Katharine Drexel, founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the Diocese helped establish a number of rural schools for blacks.

Bishop Jeanmard received national attention in 1954 for excommunicating two women who had attacked a CCD teacher accused of integrating her catechism class. He also issued a pastoral letter emphasizing the right of all Catholics to religious instruction. Diocesan institutions and events were open to people of all races.

In his 38 years as Ordinary, Bishop Jeanmard set a pattern of making the church available to the people by establishing church parishes and schools and encouraging lay involvement in church affairs.
 

Coat of Arms

When Bishop Jeanmard was appointed First Bishop of Lafayette in 1918, the design of his personal coat of arms reflected biblical and family connections as well as his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Bishop Jeanmard’s coat of arms carries the Latin motto “Sub tuum praesidium” (under thy protection), a phrase from the antiphon at Lauds in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. Prominent at the top of the right side of the coat of arms is a demi-eagle, traditional symbol of John the Evangelist, and family patron of the Jeanmard family, as Jean is French for John. The right hand and forearm on the shield are symbols of Old Testament figure, Benjamin, whose name means “son of my right hand”. The hand carries a lily, in honor of Our Lady. Bishop Jeanmard had such strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin he even designated August 15, feast of the Assumption, as his birthday, although he was actually born in early September.

The Bishop’s shield is topped by the customary green hat with six tassels, Episcopal cross, miter and rosier in gold. The eagle is blue on a silver field, the sleeve, hand and lily are silver on a blue field. Silver and blue are the colors of Our Lady.