The official elaborate ceremony, which was preceded by musical entertainment, began with a 19-gun salute and the posting of colors by the Washington Artillery of the Louisiana Army National Guard, and a rousing version of the national anthem by professional gospel artist Mickey Morgan.

Then, the Rev Fred Lowery, pastor of First Bossier, a Baptist church in Bossier City, who wrote the seminal book on covenant marriages, delivering the invocation. Jindal, who converted to Catholicism from Hinduism at age 15, and his wife, Supriya, also a convert to Catholicism, have a covenant marriage.

In his homily, Lowery thanked God "for raising up Bobby Jindal to lead our state for such a time as this."

"We are grateful that he boldly professes his faith in Jesus Christ," he said, as Jindal seated by the right side of the podium with Supriya and their children and the rest of their families, nodded in agreement.

"We ask that you bless him with generous portions of physical, mental and spiritual stamina to carry out his duties as governor and his fresh ideas for change," Lowery said, adding, "Strengthen him when he is weak and support him when he is attacked."
Image: Many Louisianans attended the swearing-in ceremony.