Funeral Services for Msgr. Earl Gauthreaux Begin Today

Msgr. L. Earl Gauthreaux, the longest-tenured pastor in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died Feb. 8 at the age of 89. He had served as pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church in New Orleans since 1968.

Funeral Services

Visitation:  Friday, February 14, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., New Orleans.
 
Vigil Service:  Friday, February 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Maria Goretti Church

Funeral Mass:  Saturday, February 15, 2020 11:00 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti Church
 
Visitation:  Monday, February 17, 2020 from 5:00 pm. – 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday, February 18, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at  St. John the Evangelist Church, 57805 Main Street,            Plaquemine, LA
       
Funeral Mass:  Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, Plaquemine, LA
 

Biographical Information

Lawrence Earl Gauthreaux was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, the third of six children of Paul Edward Gauthreaux, Sr. and Mabel Agnes Chriss. He was educated in Plaquemine from 1936 and graduated Valedictorian of the 1947 St. John High School Class. He continued his education at St. Joseph Seminary College, Covington, La. from 1947 until 1950 and then entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he studied until 1956. Monsignor Gauthreaux was ordained on June 9, 1956 serving in the priesthood for over 63 years.  In 1960, Archbishop Joseph Rummel sent him to the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. to study Canon Law and upon completion of his studies he returned to New Orleans in 1962 with a Licentiate in Canon Law. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to New Orleans in 1962 with a Baccalaureate and a Licentiate in Canon Law. At the age of 37, because of his expertise in Canon Law, Father Gauthreaux was called to Rome to assist with the writing of Vatican II laws of the Catholic church. On June 1, 1968 Father Gauthreaux was appointed Pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church, New Orleans. He was named a prelate of honor by Pope Paul VI on April 12, 1975 with the title Monsignor. He was pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church in New Orleans, Archdiocese of New Orleans for 53 years.