Father Tony Ricard urges youth and teens at revival to focus on Christ’s love
The first evening of Our Lady of Consolation’s revival was focused on children and youth, with Father Ricard gearing his stories and message for a younger audience and the voices of the youth choir filling the parish hall. CHARLOTTE — Like many people, Father Tony Ricard fondly recalls advice given to him by his mother. Two phrases particularly stand out to the New Orleans-based priest – “Remember who you belong to” and “Don’t be stupid.”
His mom meant the first phrase two ways – he and his siblings not only belonged to their family but also to God. The second was a simple reminder to not get mixed up in wrongdoing that could cause trouble later.
Today, Father Ricard uses these words to convey the simple truths that all people belong to God but can ruin their lives through the stupidity of sin – truths he has shared with people of all ages in more than 23 countries through his ministry. He shared this and much more with crowds at the 2025 Holy Spirit revival May 4-6 at Our Lady of Consolation Church, the only historically Black parish in Charlotte.
“Those two phrases sum up for us everything the Catholic Church and the Bible have been trying to teach us since the beginning of time,” he told those gathered Sunday evening for the first night of the revival.
The revival’s theme was “A Pilgrimage of Love.” Organizers wanted to rejuvenate attendees’ faith, helping them recall God’s love and their ongoing call to be disciples, even during difficult and uncertain times.
More than 300 people crowded into the parish hall for the revival’s opening night, which featured gospel music and Dixieland-flavored jazz by a Charlotte-area band. The opening was geared to young people, with the youth choir performing hymns and Gospel songs as children and teens offered Scripture readings.
Christina Jamison attended the revival with her mother and appreciated Father Ricard’s style.
“He’s very entertaining and I liked that he brought truth out through his stories – it was a good lesson,” Jamison said.
Focus on youth
Outreach to youth comes naturally to Father Ricard. Before becoming a priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, he was an elementary school teacher. Much of his priesthood has been devoted to helping students at his alma mater, St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the city in 2005, Father Ricard committed to raising funds for Catholic school scholarships in his hometown.
At Our Lady of Consolation, Father Ricard combined jokes and stories about his life in New Orleans to convey the truth that people can only live their best lives if they remember that they were created because of the love of God.
“No matter what the world may say to you, as long as you live for God, you are destined for greatness,” he said. “God doesn’t expect you to be perfect – He expects you to be the best you can be. As we get older, we can forget our purpose in this world, but loving God is easy when you know God made you and made the world because He loves you.”
He said the phrase “Don’t be stupid” serves as a constant reminder for God’s people not to fall into the trap of sin.
“When we forget who we are, we fall into the traps of this world,” he said. “If all you are living for is this world, all you will get is this world. If you’re doing something wrong you know is stupid – stop! And if you can’t, find somebody who can help you stop.”
Our Lady of Consolation parishioner Monica Sherrill especially liked one phrase Father Ricard used: “Ignorance is when you don’t know something. Stupidity is knowing it’s wrong but doing it anyway.”
“I never thought about sin that way, but it’s a good way of describing it,” she said. “I’m going to use that phrase on my kids.”
Father Ricard took a break from signing books after one of the sessions to discuss his preaching style.
Using everyday stories
He draws on things like mom’s advice because he feels speakers and writers often blur the truth of the Gospel by using complicated words and concepts only recognizable to theology students.
“Too many times priests and preachers try to impress people by how much they know instead of who they know – Jesus Christ,” he said. “We need to be able to reach God’s children of all ages with something they can understand. I want everyone to remember that they are children of God and we are destined for greater things.”
As he prepares to celebrate his ordination anniversary, Father Ricard said there is nothing he’d rather be doing than helping students and sharing God’s word.
“I can honestly say I feel like I started a honeymoon on May 27, 30 years ago, because I’ve been enjoying and loving my priesthood so much,” he said. “I look around every day and ask ‘When does the work start?’ I love what I do so much it never feels like work.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull
