Acadiana, the Holy Land!

Part 2

I’ve noticed that in the younger Catholic community, there is a deep love for the country of Poland. Anytime the country is mentioned, facts about its Catholic history, Saints, and plans of visiting one day are spoken of. Poland is often likened to a sort of “Holy Land,” an oasis of Catholicism in the desert of contemporary secular Europe. The story of the Polish people is indeed fascinating as it tells of the victory of their Catholic faith over the forces of evil time and time again. 

I must admit though, that I laugh a little when I hear Catholic Cajuns fawning over Poland. What those Cajuns who dream about visiting  “Catholic Poland” maybe don’t realize, is that Pollocks themselves are dreaming about visiting “Catholic Acadiana.” Like Poland, Southern Louisiana is a land whose atmosphere has been sanctified by the faith and trials of its people. I myself once ardently desired to visit Acadiana as I sometimes felt that my lively Catholic faith wasn’t a natural fit in my Florida Parishian culture. All of this is to say, that in order to find an oasis of Catholicism, an American need not travel overseas but instead to Acadiana, a true Holy Land!

Referring to Acadiana as a “Holy Land” is not inappropriate, and anyone who has taken a short drive through it knows this to be true. In fact during the first few weeks of my stay in the area, taking a drive was one of my favorite activities. The sight of the moss filled Cypress and Oak trees, the bayous that snake through the land, and the sugar cane fields that seem to go on for miles almost made me ask myself, “What country am I in?” Yet instead of having felt a foreigner, I never felt more at home than when taking a drive through Acadiana. How could I feel like a foreigner in a land that shares the pride of my heart, the Catholic faith? 

During the rides, I drove on streets named after saints and saw what seemed like hundreds of front yards with statues of both Our Lord and Blessed Mother, and sometimes even a crucifix. No fear of being a Catholic here! If the trip was long enough, my arm might tire of making the sign of the cross as I passed by so many churches, adoration chapels, and Catholic cemeteries.  My favorite thing to see was always the dozens of Acadian flags that reminded me of Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, in whom the flag’s gold star represents. She is the Land’s patroness!

While there is much visually to remind a person of the Catholic culture of Acadiana, it is the people who are most evident of this. Getting out of the car was always an opportunity to meet the faithful that inhabited this holy land. People both young and old, black and white, Creole and Cajun all made clear to me in various ways that the Catholic faith is the blood that runs through the body of Acadiana. Whether it was through the hospitality that I was shown, the times of prayer held together, or the experience of a good fais do-do, it was always shown in every instance that the joie de vive is more accurately the joie de Christ. While one may be tempted to think that “crawfish is king” around these parts, the Cajuns will tell you that the throne is actually held by Christ. His presence in the soul of Cajun culture is what has brought it into existence, sustained it, and will continue to nourish it for future generations. 

Acadiana is a place like none other. While one could describe it with words such as fun, slow-paced and joyful, justice would not be done to it without also using the word “Holy.” So, by all means, go visit Catholic Poland. But remember to visit the Holy Land that is in your back yard!