New Orleans, LA — In the wake of a devastating truck assault in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives and left more than three dozen injured, the local community, including many Notre Dame fans in town for the Sugar Bowl, gathered for a Mass at the iconic Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France. The Mass, held on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on January 1, 2025, became a poignant moment of mourning and reflection for the city.
During the service, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond addressed the congregation of 600 worshippers, struggling to find words that could make sense of the sheer brutality that unfolded just blocks away on Bourbon Street. The attack occurred in the early hours of the New Year as a crowd of revelers was hit by a man driving a white Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck. Authorities identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Texas, who was later killed by police after a brief shootout.
Described by the FBI as a terror attack, preliminary investigations revealed Jabbar bore an ISIS flag in his vehicle, suggesting a possible link to wider terrorist affiliations. The drive ended nearly three blocks from its start when Jabbar crashed into a construction crane, prompting his armed confrontation with the police, during which two officers were wounded.
In his homily, Archbishop Aymond spoke to the hearts of many, acknowledging the unbearable uncertainty that shrouded the start of the new year. “The easy answer is that we don’t know what will happen,” he stated, reflecting on the unexpected tragedy that had abruptly ended many lives and altered countless others.
Echoing the archbishop’s sentiments, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, a former auxiliary bishop of New Orleans, expressed his deep sorrow over the attacks. In his statement, he emphasized the sacredness of human life and called on the faithful to pray for peace and the resolution of violence and oppression worldwide.
Additional prayers and messages of hope were evident throughout the community as locals and visitors alike tried to come to grips with the violence. The horrific nature of the attack disrupted the usual festivities and forced the postponement of the Sugar Bowl to January 2.
Father Pat Williams, rector of St. Louis Cathedral, offered his perspective during an earlier Mass, attended primarily by Notre Dame supporters. He shared his usual New Year’s message of hope but acknowledged the shadow cast by the morning’s tragic events. “Hope is not where everything turns out fine,” he lamented, underscoring the continual presence of God even in times of crisis.
As the community sought solace, Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, who served as the lector at the Mass, expressed disbelief and sorrow over the senseless act of violence. “It’s just unbelievable,” she said, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to maintain safety.
Following the service, many attendees, including John Blanchard, a Notre Dame fan from Foley, Alabama, shared that the archbishop’s message resonated deeply with them, especially his emphasis on maintaining hope in the face of adversity. “God gave people free will,” Blanchard reflected, questioning the motivations behind such a devastating act.
The sentiments of hope and prayer were echoed by Jonah Walls from Houston, a fellow Notre Dame supporter, who emphasized the universal need for prayer in light of such atrocities.
As New Orleans faces the new year with heavy hearts, the community’s focus turns toward healing, understanding, and preventing future tragedies, clinging to the notion that even in the darkest times, hope can guide the way forward.