Steadfast in Faith

Jacob Wiegand’s favorites images of 2024

Religious sisters walked in a eucharistic procession through Indianapolis during the 10th National Eucharistic Congress on July 20 in Indianapolis. (Photos by Jacob Wiegand | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)

Jacob Wiegand
Submitted on January 10, 2025

Photojournalists are tasked with making authentic images that document real life in our society.

These visual journalists aren’t just looking to make the prettiest picture possible, but strive to combine light, composition and powerful storytelling moments that – with any luck – will resonate with readers.

For St. Louis Review photojournalist Jacob Wiegand, that means spending time with the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and capturing scenes of their lives to share.

From photographing the tens of thousands of Catholics walking in a eucharistic procession through the streets of Indianapolis at the National Eucharistic Congress to hanging out with priests watching the total solar eclipse, here are a few of Wiegand’s favorite frames from 2024.

Msgr. Kevin Callahan, the archbishop’s liaison to senior priests, met with Father Bill Baier on Oct. 29 at Mother of Good Counsel Home in Northwoods. “Mostly it’s just to let them know they’re still loved and cared (for) and part of a family. Part of the brotherhood,” Msgr. Callahan said about his visits with priests. He said he visits with priests at Mother of Good Counsel Home at least once a week if not twice a week.
Perry County Jail inmates James Tiller and Charles Blakey laughed while taking part in a Bible study with Mark Renaud and John Gahan (in hat), both members of the St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Perryville, on Feb. 27 at the Perry County Jail in Perryville. Members of the SVDP conference visit the jail twice a month for Bible study.
Sunlight shown on faithful attending the opening night of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress on July 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Jenny Reiter, a parishioner at Sacred Heart in Valley Park, wrote a prayer intention for family during day one of SEEK24 on Jan. 1 at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis.
Molly Murphy of Caledonia laughed while receiving an ultrasound during an ultrasound training session with ultrasound technician Cindy Willich, left, of Shawnee, Kansas, and Patty Robinson of Caledonia on June 3 at Caring Hearts Pregnancy Resource Center & Medical Clinic in Potosi. Caring Hearts has been in operation in Potosi for 10 years.
First Communicants and Mary Queen of Peace second grader Brady Rodenfels gestured while gathered with (from left) Amelia Henningsen, Louis Barringer and Eva Kreilich before a procession into the church May 8 at Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Webster Groves. The children’s flowers were collected in vases and placed around a statue of Mary which was crowned during the Mass. The children received their First Communion the weekend prior.
Father Jacob Wessel watched the solar eclipse April 8 on the grounds of Father John Dempsey Field in Ste. Genevieve.
Assisi House resident Linda Broch posed for a portrait next to numerous images of women on the walls at an Assisi House location for women at the former convent at Our Lady of the Holy Cross in the Baden neighborhood March 11 in St. Louis. Broch, who also serves as a house manager for Assisi House, has been an Assisi House resident since 2021. “I try to form a lot of unity in here,” Broch said. “We’re all coming from a very difficult time. … We’re all coming from different backgrounds.”
Father Steve Lian jokingly joined in the judging of a spring bonnet contest next to Barb Cox, a parishioner at Good Shepherd in Hillsboro, during a Silver Saints gathering April 24 at the Knights of Columbus hall near Hillsboro. To the left of Father Lian were (from left) Marion Zebas, a parishioner at Holy Family in Arnold; Mary Lou Watson, a parishioner at Good Shepherd in Hillsboro; and Faye Byrd, a parishioner at Our Lady in Festus. Father Lian is associate pastor of Our Lady in Festus, Sacred Heart in Crystal City and Good Shepherd in Hillsboro which all had parishioners at the event.
Father Peter Faimega carried the Eucharist in a monstrance during a Corpus Christi procession June 2 through Florissant. The procession made its way from Sacred Heart Church through Florissant to the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine.

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