The archdiocese of New Orleans has a rich history of service to the Catholic community dating back to the 1700s. Over these hundreds of years, a few souls have lived such extraordinary holy lives that they have been tendered for canonization. These souls include: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Venerable Mother Henriette DeLille.
The archdiocese has been blessed with another extraordinary holy soul. Her name is Ashley Code. She is the daughter of Cassi and Michael Code. Although Ashley only lived to age 17, she touched the lives of thousands of souls causing them to grow closer to our Lord Jesus by her actions. She continues to help souls from her place in heaven.
In life and after her passing, Ashley Code, enjoyed a widespread reputation of holiness among the faithful. She lived all of the virtues in a heroic manner. Since her passing she has a reputation of intercessory power among the faithful as well. This reputation is spontaneous, stable and continuous.
There is overwhelming evidence of this reputation for holiness and intercessory power in this web-site. It includes: the comments of witnesses as to her heroic virtues from treating physicians, clergy, religious, teachers, classmates, friends and family members; her intercessory powers; the appearances of Jesus and her guardian angel to her; and her individual writings. In a letter at age 15, Ashley wrote that she wants to, "be the face of Jesus that everyone wants to be around." She accomplished this goal.
At a time when our church is struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, numerous episodes of misconduct by the clergy, religious and diaconate, departure from the faith of many of our young people, the decline of those practicing our faith, economic woes, high crime and social unrest, Ashley Code can truly galvanize our Catholic community in numerous ways. She is an excellent role model for all of our tens of thousands of students in Catholic education, for parents in raising their children and for all of the faithful. Through a series of annual events, we can inspire our students, our young church, and all of us to practice our Catholic faith to become closer to our Lord and encourage those who have left the church to return home. Simply stated, Ashley is a local spiritual role model to help us overcome the works of the evil one in our Catholic community and return to the values of Jesus as a way of life.
Undertaking this effort has never been an act of labor. It has always been a joyful journey guided exclusively by the Holy Spirit.
