BATON ROUGE — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge officially reopened the Sanctuary for Life on Friday, restoring a vital shelter for homeless pregnant women after a two-year closure.

Bishop Michael G. Duca led a blessing ceremony at the facility at 10 a.m., offering prayers for the women, children, staff and donors who made the sanctuary's return possible.

Founded in 1999, the shelter was forced to close in September 2024 when severe foundational damage made the structure uninhabitable. Community donors and partner organizations rallied through a fundraising campaign to pay for the extensive structural repairs and renovations.

Beyond providing a safe place to live, the facility offers comprehensive support services to help pregnant women transition toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

"We help them find jobs, get medical care, transportation, so that they start on the right foot with their child," said Stephanie Sterling, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

While the renovation is complete, Catholic Charities notes that ongoing operational and maintenance costs rely on continued community contributions, which can be made at CatholicCharitiesBR.org.