DeBlanc, Irving A.

Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc was born October 17, 1914, in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was educated by the Christian Brothers, the Benedictine Fathers, and the Marist Fathers. He continued his graduate education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. where he hearned a Master's Degree in Psychology, a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology, and was conferred an Honorary Doctor's Degree in Law by Loyola University of New Orleans. He did postgraduate work at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. DeBlanc's first assignment was in Ville Platte where he served as associate pastor and director of Sacred Heart School. In 1949, the Church transferred Father DeBlanc to Lafayette as pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Student Center on the University of Louisiana Lafayette campus. The Pope made DeBlanc a Domestic Prelate in 1952 with the title Right Reverend Monsignor. In 1955, the Bishops of the United States selected Monsignor DeBlanc to become the National Director of the their Family Life Bureau in Washington, D.C. He served in that capacity for six years. While in Washington, he worked with U.S. Armed Forces on assignments which took him to U.S troops stationed in this country and around the world. The Air Force gave him the stature of Major General during a year of service in their ranks. In 1961, Monsignor DeBlanc returned to his home Diocese of Lafayette. He was then appointed pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in Lake Charles. He continues to receive both religious and civic awards for his many service projects.