Photograph: Monsignor Keith Derouen – Left in 1983. Right in 2023. (Photograph by Our Lady Queen of Angels.)
Courtney Jennings
Contributing Writer
On Sunday, May 28th a special mass was held on the Solemnity of Pentecost at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in celebration of the Reverend Monsignor Keith Derouen. The mass commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination for the Reverend and a dessert reception followed at the Parish Hall.
Monsignor Keith Derouen’s faith-filled journey began at age 14 when he entered into the Immaculata Seminary. It was during his freshman year that he became close friends with Father Whitney Miller, a senior at the Seminary whom Msgr. Derouen called his hero.
Father Whitney Miller of the Diocese of Lake Charles delivered a beautiful homily for the anniversary mass describing Msgr. Keith Derouen as a sentimental man. Fr. Whitney preached of his friendship with Msgr. throughout their journey as the two carried out the same freshman-senior sequence at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, then Saint John Seminary and again at the School of Theology in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Monsignor Keith Derouen was officially ordained to the Priesthood on August 11th in 1983. His reason for choosing Pentecost, however, to celebrate the anniversary of his priestly ordination is a sentimental one.
“I chose Pentecost because every Pentecost as a priest reminded me of momma’s death.”
Derouen was ordained a Deacon in April 1982 at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia one month earlier than his classmates because his mother was dying. She passed away one month later on May 29th, an hour after the church began celebrating the Solemnity of Pentecost with its Vigil Mass.
Msgr. Keith Derouen first served as Associate Pastor at St. Mary Magdalen Church Parish in Abbeville. He then taught at Vermilion Catholic and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Crowley.
Over the past 4 decades he has served as Pastor at St. Martin de Tours Church in St. Martinville, Rector of the Cathedral in Lafayette, and Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church where he continues to Pastor. Monsignor Derouen has also held a position as the Diocesan Liturgist for close to 30 years.
Church parishioners along with fellow priests from Derouen’s Priest Support Group and family members surrounded Derouen in celebration of this milestone in his spiritual career. He quoted Marvin Gaye ‘How Sweet it is to be Loved by you’ describing his heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported him throughout his journey and towards his church family.
