Msgr. Earl V. Provenza V.F. was born November 29, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana and peacefully passed into eternal splendor on May 7th, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 9 at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport. Bishop Francis Malone presided at all services. Monsignor was the 10th of 11 children; …
Msgr. Earl V. Provenza V.F. was born November 29, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana and peacefully passed into eternal splendor on May 7th, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 9 at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport. Bishop Francis Malone presided at all services.
Monsignor was the 10th of 11 children; both of his parents were born in Italy. He attended schools in Shreveport and Pineville, Louisiana and in Lisle, Illinois. Msgr. Earl earned his B.A. at St. Procopius College in Lisle, Illinois. He obtained his Degree in Theology from the same college in 1964. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on May 30, 1964, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Monsignor received his Master’s in Theology at Berkley College in Berkley, California, and was a Catholic Priest for 61 years.
He served in Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Mansura, Zwolle, Bossier City, and Shreveport and served as the Dean of the Western Deanery of Diocese of Shreveport for 14 years under Bishop William B. Friend. His first assignment as a priest was St. Matthew’s in Monroe. While he was in Shreveport, he renovated St. John’s Cathedral. He also built St. Michael’s Chapel in Shreveport. He was assigned to Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in South Bossier and St. George Catholic Church in Coushatta. Msgr. Earl built a new church for Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in South Bossier. When he first became pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church there were 143 families; when he left there were approximately 343 families.
He not only had time for his church work, but he also extended himself to the community. Msgr. Provenza was chaplain for many organizations. He was a Louisiana State Trooper chaplain for 40 years, ATF chaplain for 14 years and Ware Youth Center Chaplain for 6 years. Sixteen years ago, he joined the United States Army Volunteer Reserves, and because of his dedication to his country and to the veterans, he reached the rank of full Colonel. As a chaplain he performed funerals for veterans, he visited hospitals and assisted military families.
As a young priest he was the camp director of Knights of Columbus Camp Maryhill in Pineville, Louisiana during the summer months. Under his direction there were 40,000 children that attended the camp. He had a special love for young people.
As a hobby he loved to jog, and he completed six marathons with each of them being 26.2 miles in length. He enjoyed cooking, music and especially his trips to Ware Youth Center.
He had personal audiences with Pope Paul VI, Pope John XXIII, and Pope John Paul II. The high light of his life was when he offered a private mass for Pope John Paul II in the Pope’s private chapel.
His motto was “If it takes two people to pick up a table, I prefer twelve.” He was elected Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Shreveport on December 22, 2006, by his brother priests.
Msgr. Earl Provenza is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Paul Provenza and Rosa Marabella Provenza and his ten siblings and spouses: Joe (JoAnn); Tina Hearst (Don); Lucille Cordaro (Joe); Josephine Defatta (Joe); Louis (Rosalie); Anthony (Marie); Sammy; Mary DeFatta (Sam); Johnny; and Charles.
He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Kitty Provenza and RoseMarie Provenza. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friend and caregiver Patricia Lachle. He lovingly referred to his niece, Angelina Rice, as being “Number One.” However, all his nieces said that they were his favorites. Monsignor had a way of making everyone feel that way.
Thank you to everyone who has loved Monsignor throughout his life, his priesthood, and his illness. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, 939 Jordan St, Shreveport, LA 71101.
