St. Louis Cathedral resembled a cheering section of the Superdome at 11 a.m. Mass Sunday, as New Orleans Saints fans filled the church for a final round of pre-championship game prayers. 

Literally every pew in the cavernous church was occupied by Saints loyalists wearing jerseys, T-shirts or some other black-and-gold apparel.  More fans lined the rear and side walls of the cathedral. 

Bishop Shelton Fabre

"The Saints are good for business," an usher cracked as he passed an offertory basket filled to the brim with dollar bills. 

Bishop Shelton Fabre, who presided over the service, did not acknowledge the game directly in his sermon.  However, many long-suffering Who Dats may have thought the Gospel reading, which quoted a scripture passage from the prophet Isaiah, was speaking directly to them when it got to the part about God proclaiming liberty to captives "to let the oppressed go free." 

Fabre used his final blessing to speak directly to the black-and-gold congregation. 

"St. Paul reminded us in the second reading that we are part of the body of Christ.  Today we are also reminded that we are all part of the Who Dat Nation," he said to thunderous applause and cheers.