Charlene Marie Richard Relics Returned to Lafayette
The holy relics were returned to the local diocese following an extensive examination in Rome.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Catholicism
Father Seth Lemaire has transported portions of the hair and bones of Charlene Marie Richard from Rome back to the Diocese of Lafayette. These relics had been held in Italy as part of the ongoing official canonization process.
Why it matters
The return of the relics represents a significant milestone in the investigation into the life of Charlene Marie Richard, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1959. Her case is currently being reviewed by the Vatican to determine if she practiced Christian virtues to a heroic degree.
Charlene Marie Richard was born in 1947 and received a leukemia diagnosis at age 12. Bishop Douglas Deshotel officially opened her Cause for Canonization in 2020, moving her case toward the Vatican's review.
The players
Charlene Marie Richard
She was a young girl from Richard, Louisiana, whose life and struggle with leukemia have become the subject of an official Catholic canonization cause.
Father Seth Lemaire
He is the priest who transported the sensitive religious relics safely from Rome to the Diocese of Lafayette.
Bishop Douglas Deshotel
He serves as the bishop who initiated the formal Cause for Canonization for Charlene Marie Richard in 2020.
Barbara De Jean
She is an official who received the sacred relics at the Chancery following their return from Italy.
Stephanie Simon
She is an official who assisted in receiving the relics at the Chancery to ensure their proper preservation.
The details
Father Seth Lemaire secured the relics in protective containers for their journey back to Louisiana. Upon arrival at the Chancery in Lafayette, Barbara De Jean and Stephanie Simon received the items for placement in the diocesan archives.
Timeline
Charlene Marie Richard was born in 1947.
She was diagnosed with leukemia in 1959.
Bishop Douglas Deshotel opened the Cause for Canonization in 2020.
The relics were returned to the Diocese of Lafayette in September 2026.
Roadmap
The return of these relics marks a transition in the local church's engagement with the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. This process aligns with the broader historical pattern of identifying candidates for sainthood within the Catholic Church.
The arrival of these relics provides the local community with a tangible connection to the ongoing canonization cause. Residents may now engage more directly with the diocesan efforts to preserve these items as the investigation proceeds.
The takeaway
The Church may eventually declare Charlene Richard Venerable if the current investigation confirms she lived Christian virtues to a heroic degree. Local observers should continue to monitor the Vatican's official updates regarding her case status.
Further reading
For more on religious developments in the region, visit the Lafayette Catholicism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KLFY 10 Lafayette.
