When Bishop Simon Peter was still working for the Ugandan government, he attended a Charismatic Prayer Service. Perhaps unbeknownst to him, it would change the trajectory of his life. It was there that he met Bishop Sam Jacobs, who became a mentor to him. Bishop Jacobs eventually invited him to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to study for the priesthood, and Bishop Simon Peter remained involved in the Charismatic Renewal, and Charismatic-style prayer services, ever since.
It was fitting, then, for Bishop Simon Peter to begin the week of festivities leading up to his Ordination as Bishop with a Charismatic prayer service. The night was attended by dozens of friends and family from Uganda, as well as many in the wider community of Houma-Thibodaux, both in person and watching via the livestream.
The evening was led and moderated by longtime friends of Bishop, Deacon Larry Oney and his wife Andi of Hope and Purpose Ministries in Kenner, LA. Deacon Larry opened the night with a prayer, declaring the Lord as Eucharistically present. He invoked the power of St. Michael the Archangel to defend the congregants as they prayed, in particular that he would defend their thoughts and their minds. He also invoked the power of Mary to sit with the crowd as they prayed throughout the night. It was a powerful way to begin.
At one point, Deacon Larry invited congregants to share any “prophetic words” they received during prayer. One gentleman shared a vision of an angel standing with one foot in Louisiana and one foot in Africa. The waters were unsettled and suddenly rough underneath the angel. But through his power, the waters started calming down. The image was meant to signify Bishop Simon Peter’s leadership, bridging the continents while providing calm and stability as the new Bishop.
Deacon Larry then led the congregation through three prophetic gestures intended for Bishop’s encouragement and spiritual edification. First, the congregation prayed that the fi e of the Holy Spirit would come down upon Bishop. As Deacon instructed during the service, “We’re praying for fresh fi e.” The scene echoed what Fr. Andre Melancon had emphasized before the service: “The Charismatic Renewal begins through Pentecost… [when] the Holy Spirit animated the Church with gifts of the spirit and fruits of the spirit.”
Bishop Sam Jacobs sat by Bishop Simon Peter during the entire service, often raising his hands and praying over him. He proclaimed an exhortation from St. Gregory the Great, as it was his feast day. “Remember that before you become a pastor, you were a sheep in the flock of the Lord. In the eyes of God, you will always be a sheep whom He pastures. Stay close to the Lord and learn from Him how to pasture His sheep.”
Secondly, the congregation commended the care of Bishop Simon Peter fully to Mary. Bishop’s mother, who was present from Uganda, came to stand with Bishop for this beautiful dedication of her son to the Blessed Mother. And if the previous gesture wasn’t already causing tears in the crowd, the third surely did. The many priests in attendance surrounded Bishop in solemn prayer, placing a hand on his shoulders or extending a hand to pray for him. It was a powerful and emotional moment of brotherly love and affir tion for the man who’d been chosen to lead them–and us–in this new chapter in our diocese.
As the event wound down, Deacon Larry offered us all an important reminder. Sometimes we think that we need to be priests to share Jesus with others, but as Christians we can be like the perfume of Mary of Bethany’s ointment that filled the whole house when she anointed the Lord’s feet (Jn 12:3). “Wherever you are,” Deacon exhorted, “break the alabaster jar.”
To close, the priests were invited forward once more to lead the congregation in singing the “Great Amen” together. As Andi Oney described it, “Tonight was an experience of us being in the upper room,” like the Apostles at Pentecost.
Special thanks to the community of St. Bernadette Church for their hospitality and beautiful Cajun-themed reception.