Name: 2026 Ordination to the Priesthood
Start: 2026-06-06T10:00:00-05:00
Location: Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

Join us for a joyful and historic celebration as the Diocese of Lafayette gathers for the Ordination to the Priesthood of five of our transitional deacons.
The Rite of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. The Most Reverend Douglas Deshotel will celebrate the Mass and confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders through the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Ordination. All are invited to attend this beautiful liturgy as these men offer their lives in service to Christ and His Church.
Those to be ordained are:
Deacon Francis Xavier Gyles, a native of Meaux and graduate of North Vermilion High School (2016). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College and a Master of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary. He is the son of James and Pamela Gyles.
Deacon Evan Hebert, raised in Rayne and a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley (2018). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College and a Master of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary. He is sponsored by St. Joseph Church in Rayne and is the son of Phillip and Kimberly Hebert.
Deacon Bret Lee, a native of Esther and graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville (2017). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College and both a Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. Sponsored by St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville, he is the son of Al and Leisa Lee.
Deacon Stephen Melancon, raised in Parks and a graduate of John Paul the Great Academy in Lafayette (2018). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College and a Master of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary. He is sponsored by St. Joseph Church in Parks and is the son of Margaret and the late Randal Melancon.
Deacon Cole Zaunbrecher, a native of Roberts Cove and graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley (2018). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College and a Master of Divinity from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. Sponsored by St. Leo IV Church in Roberts Cove, he is the son of Quentin and Roxanne Zaunbrecher.
Please continue to pray for these men as they prepare to be ordained priests for the Diocese of Lafayette.
All are welcome to attend. Seating may be limited, so please plan accordingly.