The Ordination and Installation of Bishop Simon Peter Engurait

The time had finally come. The ordination and installation of the Most Reverend Simon Peter Engurait as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux arrived on Friday, September 5, 2025.

The grand event took place in the David R. Stopher Gymnasium at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, which provided ample space for the more than 2,100 who gathered from Houma-Thibodaux and beyond.

The staff and volunteers of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, together with the team at Nicholls State University, had transformed the gymnasium into a cathedral worthy of a bishop’s ordination! The scene was set: an elevated sanctuary was created and installed on the stage featuring the cathedra (the bishop’s chair) from St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, topped with a crucifix and framed by drapes. Sacred items were collected from both St. Joseph Co-Cathedral and St. Thomas Aquinas, including statues of Mary and Joseph, to create a reverent sanctuary fitti g for the celebration. Flowers and greenery gave it the fini hing touch.

The newfound “church” filled early and quickly with guests as the start time approached. From the entrance side, guests had a striking view of the unfolding scene: rows of Knights of Columbus in uniform, along with countless priests and bishops, who were ready to process in full vestments with Bishop-Elect Simon Peter Engurait. The room was filled with energy and expectation. In just a few moments, the Ordination Mass would begin, and our bayou diocese would at last receive its new bishop.

The procession began with the fi st note of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” led by the Pontifical Choir. The majestic hymn reflected the enormous crowd that packed the floor seating area, up into the stands on both sides of the arena. All congregants stood to welcome the sea of priests and bishops processing in joyfully. The bishops were greeted by a change in hymn, “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus” (Latin for “Behold, a great priest”):

“This is a priest most mighty, who in his days among us found the Lord’s favor. Swearing an oath to uphold him, God therefore in glory exalted him among his people. And the Lord’s own blessing of all nations upon the earth was upon him, and he has confirmed his holy covenant upon his head in honor.”

Once the 250 priests and bishops made it to their seats, the sign of the cross was made by all, and the Mass officially began.

The Mass and Rite of Ordination was celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans. He was joined by co-consecrators, the Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre (fourth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux), now Archbishop of Louisville, and the Most Reverend Sam G. Jacobs, Bishop Emeritus and third bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. The ordination was also celebrated in the presence of His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

The Liturgy followed the ordinary order of the Mass, continuing with the Penitential Act and the “Gloria” being led by the Pontifical Choir.

The fi st reading was from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah proclaiming, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (1:4-9). For the responsorial psalm, Bishop Simon Peter chose Psalm 146, “Praise the Lord, my soul.” The second reading was taking from the Letter to the Hebrews (5:1-10), “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

There was no gospel more fitting to read than this one from the Gospel of John (21:15-17):

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Following the readings, the Rite of Ordination began with the hymn, “Veni, Creator Spiritus” (“Come, Holy Spirit”), which invoked the very power by which Archbishop Aymond would soon ordain Bishop-Elect Simon Peter: the Holy Spirit.

Bishop-Elect Simon Peter was then called to the Sacred Order by Very Reverend Father André Melancon on behalf of our diocesan priests. The Apostolic Letter from the Apostolic Nuncio was read aloud and presented to him. Holding up the parchment inscribed with formal script, he showed it to the College of Consultors for approval as is the custom. He then processed through the aisles, holding up the letter with a smile as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause! Triumphant ululations, or jubilant cries, could be heard from the Ugandan women in attendance, especially his mother. As he walked section by section, the cheers continued in waves of joy. Many reached out to touch his shoulder as he passed by, unable to contain their excitement. Many were moved to tears as they witnessed this historic moment—not only for our diocese, but also for him, his family, for Uganda, and for the entire world—as we celebrated the fi st African-born man to be ordained a bishop in the mainland United States. The lay-faithful certainly gave their consent with unanimous and unwavering affirmation.

Everyone was seated, and Archbishop Aymond began his homily. “I think it’s safe to say that everybody here is excited,” he smiled. He then quoted Bishop-Elect Simon Peter, who had read the following meditation on the morning of Tuesday, May 27 during his regular morning prayer time, “There is nothing more important than to say yes to Jesus with all of your heart.” As Archbishop Aymond pointed out, Cardinal Christophe Pierre would call Father Simon Peter later that day to inform him that Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, had appointed him as the next bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Archbishop Aymond continued, “Today, Simon Peter, we thank you for saying yes to the Lord and to His Church. You have served well in priestly ministry and as vicar general, and all of us have gathered here today to pray with you and to pray for you.”

He ended his homily with a quote from the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, “When families feel overwhelmed, when young people are disillusioned, or when the marginalized feel abandoned, the bishop is close to them—not offering easy solutions but helping them live the gospel in simplicity and in solidarity.”

Archbishop Aymond proceeded to formally question Bishop-Elect Simon Peter on his willingness to embrace the Office of Bishop, to which he responded resoundingly to each question with “I do.” Bishop-Elect lay prostrate on the floor, a gesture of prayer and humble surrender to the Lord, as the Litany of Supplication was sung.

Archbishop Aymond, joined by his co-consecrators, Archbishop Fabre and Bishop Jacobs, laid their hands on his head in silence. All 40 bishops in attendance then had the opportunity to do the same, signifying apostolic succession.

It was then time for the official prayer of ordination. Bishop-Elect knelt as deacons held open the Book of the Gospels over his head, as Archbishop Aymond recited the prayer of consecration. The bishop-elect was then anointed with the Oil of Sacred Chrism, poured over his head. Archbishop prayed that, through this holy anointing, he may be enriched with spiritual blessings.

Archbishop Aymond then presented Bishop Simon Peter with the episcopal insignia, the signs of his office as bishop, which were blessed the evening before by Bishop Jerome Feudjio. These include three elements: a ring, symbolizing the Bishop’s fidelity to the Bride of Christ, the Church; the miter signifying his resolve to pursue holiness; and the pastoral staff (crozier) signifying the duty of guiding and governing the Church entrusted to him. He put on his ring and miter, and held the crozier firm in his hand.

At last, Archbishop Aymond, along with Cardinal Pierre, walked Bishop Simon Peter to his cathedra for him to officially take his seat as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux! The cathedral erupted in applause as a new chapter in our diocese’s history began.

With this, the celebration moved into the Liturgy of the Eucharist. For the offertory, a special Ugandan procession brought the gifts forward with a simple dance, which is customary in Ugandan culture. The song “Utukuzwe” was sung in Swahili by the Ugandan choir. The choir was also dressed in traditional Ugandan attire, with women in Gomesis or Mushanana and men in white Kanzu and black coats to show the dignity of the event. Ugandan ululations could be heard throughout the ceremony. These high, jubilant cries made by women in African cultures celebrate sacred and joyful occasions. We were exposed to these at every event this week!

Did you know there were four choirs and five languages in this service? We heard songs from the Pontifical Choir, the Ugandan choir, the Diocesan Spanish Choir, and the Diocesan Gospel Choir. We also heard five languages: English, Spanish, Latin, Swahili and Luganda, a major Bantu language of Uganda. We also welcomed talented organist, Thibault Fajoles, formerly the youngest organist ever at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris!

Following the celebration of the Eucharist, Bishop Simon Peter processed through the aisles once more to bless the attendees, as well as the many clergy and religious present. He then returned to the pulpit to address the entire congregation, expressing his gratitude to the many attendees who traveled locally and from around the world. He thanked all of his past mentors, from his previous career to his priesthood.

“Who would have imagined that I would one day stand before you as a bishop of the church? I stand here not because of my worthiness but because of God’s mercy,” he said.

“This day is not mine alone,” but “a fruit of so many who have walked with me. Now more than ever, I need to walk even more closely with you as bishop,” he continued. “Jesus Christ is present. That means together we make Christ present…we are a family on a mission.”

Bishop Simon Peter honored his mother, Crencentia, sharing how she has “embodied God’s strength and tenderness,” and thanked his native Uganda, noting that he “will always be proud to be a son of that soil born from a land and a church watered by the blood of the martyrs.”

“As a new bishop, I promise you that my fi st labor will be to stay close to Jesus so that everything I do flows from His love,” he said. “A bishop is not meant to be a distant administrator, but rather a pastor who walks among his people. I want my ministry to be a ministry of presence. I want to be close to your families and parishes, close to you in your joys and in your sorrows, feeling with you the burdens you carry. I want to be a gentle and humble shepherd, never forgetting that the church is for service to those most in need.”

“From the source of the Nile River to the Bayou country, I am home.”

Officially ordained, all the priests and bishops began their procession out of the Church, with hymns led by the Pontifical Choir. This time, Bishop Simon Peter followed behind them, but with ring, miter, and crozier in hand. They were met by Ugandan dancing, songs, and triumphant ululations outside.

A lovely reception was held in the Nicholls Cotillion Ballroom afterwards. Guests filled the space, enjoying delicious food and fellowship. Children from St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School served lemonade for the children’s chapter of the Women’s Giving Circle. A line extended all the way down the ballroom for attendees to take a picture with Bishop Simon Peter, who was beaming with pride and joy—starting a new chapter not only in his life, but in ours too.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BISHOP SIMON PETER, THE SIXTH BISHOP OF HOUMA-THIBODAUX!