Fueled by the Spirit: A reflection on the legacy of Bishop Sam Jacobs

Shawn Lapeyrouse is a parishioner of St. Bernadette Parish who worked for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for many years under various roles including Youth Minister and Confirmation Coordinator at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Assistant Conference Director and Conference Director for the Diocese.  Shawn began Lift 3:16 Ministries from 2017 until 2021 and currently serves as Vice President of Agent Operations for a travel agency, Magical Moments Vacations.


When I was asked to write a tribute to Bishop Sam Jacobs, I felt unworthy but knew in my heart that I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to share with others the story of what a true blessing it is to know Bishop Sam. I’ve had the distinct honor of knowing Bishop Sam for almost 20 years now. The joy for life and the love for Christ he has is conveyed in his joyful response each time you ask him, “How are you doing Bishop?” His response is always an ecstatic “Fan-tastic!” We can all learn from this special man to seek the simple joys of life; a habit that exudes joy to all around him, and especially to all who are blessed to know him! 

I first came to know of Bishop Sam through the Steubenville Catholic Youth Conferences.  His involvement in these youth conferences has allowed literally hundreds of thousands to come to know Christ in a new and profound way. At the pinnacle of the conference attendances in 2019, more than 85,000 youth spent a weekend of their summer coming to know Christ in a new way, all because of the vision of Bishop Sam and his drive to bring these special events across the entirety of the U.S., including two in Louisiana. His love of bringing others to Christ does not end with his passion for the youth. He also participated in a variety of roles at hundreds of events over his 65 years as a priest – Steubenville Adult Conferences, the Charismatic Renewal events, Diocesan Man of God and Woman of God gatherings and conferences, and Married Couples conferences. He has traveled across the nation and throughout the world, spreading the Word of God to all who would listen!  He answered God’s call to preach His Word by serving as National Service Committee (NSC) Chairman for several years, being a huge part of the Legatus Organization and as a spiritual advisor for the Franciscan University of Steubenville Conferences.

Not only does Bishop Sam spread the Word of God through events where attendees can experience an encounter with Christ; he is a true Shepherd of God’s people and knows his flock too. You can’t help but feel like a spiritual daughter (or son) to Bishop Sam. He is always there to listen to anyone who needs to talk, he offers his valuable time to those in need, is there for you in difficult times and in times of celebration. Bishop Sam has presided over a countless number of baptisms, including my own two sons, and has celebrated numerous weddings. He conducts these special events because he loves serving the people of The Church. He’ll meet you for coffee on a rainy day, he’ll have dinner with you and your family on a spring evening, and he’ll pray with you any time, any day.

The leadership Bishop Sam brought to our diocese in the form of love and patience, awakened the bayou region to the love of God the Father. People came to know Jesus in a new way because of how Bishop Sam led his faithful of this diocese. Even my grandfather, a staunch nonbeliever, came to an awakening when he met Bishop Sam at my great-grandmother’s funeral, which Bishop Sam presided over. Thanking God, and Bishop Sam, every day for this monumental change of heart, as I’m now able to talk about Jesus with my grandfather whom I love dearly and hope to see in Heaven one day! 

To meet Bishop Sam is to feel the love of God, to feel included, to feel welcome, and to feel like you “matter.” Bishop Sam will leave this world a better place for having been in it, for having made others feel loved, for ensuring people learn about God, and for pursuing the hearts of his people so they come to know the love of Jesus. It’s in this welcome feeling that he’ll also leave behind a challenge to those who have come to love Christ. As he said in one of his presentations at a Power and Purpose Conference at Franciscan University, “If not you, who? If not now, then when? If not in your personal world, then where? If not in the power of the Holy Spirit, then in what power and for what purpose?”

If you’ve never known Bishop Sam or wish you had an opportunity to get to know him, you can follow his site Spirit Aflame where he shares his faith with those wishing to learn more!  www.spiritaflame.org