Catholics in the South

Maryland --- makes me think of the summer trips we took to Gettysburg, PA when my girls were little. Wonderful town on the topside of Maryland.
I hesitated to bring the War into this as I understand how it can be misunderstood. As a native Tar Heel I'm very proud of: 1) we were the last to secede from the Union. 2) the heroism of our men in the field is legendary & 3) we furnished the most troops. That said, the whole affair, apart from the romance, is tragic; as life can so often be.
BACK TO THE PRESENT-
Speaking as a protestant on the fence just a little, recent attacks on B16 have me quoting Rhett Butler, 'Scarlet, I guess I just have a weakness for lost causes, when they're really lost.' (Rhett goes off to join the Rebel army after the fall of Atlanta.) The Catholic Church is not a lost cause, but the disproportionality of the attacks against the Holy Father get my dander up.

blessings of course, Wes

hi all! im new here, and just stopping by to check this group out. can anybody read me???

I do believe Lincoln had armed troops in the Maryland legislature to prevent the vote on secession. Then there is the question of the state song: "Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!" I grew up in New York where the civil war is not an issue. Coming to Maryland was a surprise. I was shocked to learn that there are people here who are proud of the fact that John Wilkes Booth was a Marylander. I have a historian friend (life long Balti-moron) who scoffs at the idea that Maryland was a Northern state.

As to the subject of Maryland --- Perhaps we should ask Tim McGraw (Southern Voice) or Hal Ketchum (Momma Knows the Highway) recall>>['Momma knows where the real south begins']

While we're on the subject, my near painless research reveals the following:

The famed Mason-Dixon line is originally by definition the border between MD & PA --- point to Juniper.

As to the aspect of Maryland staying out of the Confederacy, I found this by a Gentleman last name of Harris:
Having reviewed your site (other site) regarding the South and Maryland's place therein, I feel compelled to write and correct an inaccuracy. Maryland was not a "Union" state during the Civil War, as many revisionist historians would have us believe. It was a decidedly pro-Southern state that was held in the Union illegally, by force.
----Juniper again

blessings as always, Wes

Hello gerardw!
Thank you for sharing your "return" story. Returning back to the Catholic Faith has been very emotional for me ( in a good way), I have never quite gotten over it. It has been an experience I will never forget, along as God allows me a memory. ---- Today, I got to thinking about Divine Mercy Sunday; I then went on Youtube and watched 10 minutes of the Passion of Christ video while listening to the modern song of the Divine Mercy chaplet. I have only seen parts of the Passion movie, because it is so painful emotionally for me. But today I felt lead to watch the part they had with the song, which was of the scourging.--- Oh my goodness, I will never forget it. I cried. I started thinking how much harder we should try to reach out to one another(regarding Catholic /Protestant faiths). I am resolved that I am going to be a defender of my Catholic Faith, but reach out to our fellow believers with love, no matter how unkind they are. I want to be like Jesus. It is a cross, but I know there is a possibilty to be ecumenical. My husband is Protestant, and does not much care for the Catholic Church, but he tries to be patient as he tries to understand it. I constantly pray for peace in my home. God has supplied us with just that. Our Holy Mother has interceded as well.------ My son is a protestant as well, because I raised him Baptist. That is where I was for many years. I have been inviting him to Mass. I keep praying God will allow them to both be converted to the Catholic Faith. My son doesn't have a problem at all with it. Who knows; as we all know with God, all things are possible! Thanks again for your reply!

Maryland is a southern state. I never realized that there was any question.

My wife, who survived Beatlemania unscathed, has been a-twitter all day because she passed within inches of her hero Newt Gingrich at mass today.

Bro. Juniper I will check out the Philippine roast pig thingy for sure. Thanks!

Now, off on another tangent, if Babe Ruth is to be a Southern Catholic then Maryland would need to be declared a southern state. Do we have that authority in this Social Group? I like Maryland; I could be persuaded to go along.

cordially, Wes

Paganus, the Shrine is large enough to have something for everyone. If the Byzantine upper church is not to your taste, the stark beauty of the Crypt Church will surely be. We light a candle to Our Lady of Perpetual Help every Sunday at the Nat Shrine for the Help we have been given. They also have a bookstore that has interesting books and good music. And perhaps it is not too off-topic to point out that Babe Ruth (another Catholic Southerner) was an early donor and his name is carved prominently in the wall downstairs.

WesPilgrim, google "lechon baboy" and you wil see many pictures of Philippine roast pig. I have seen a large pit in Cebu with 50 or so whole pigs being roasted at the same time. It gives God great glory! And, of course, the Philippines is a fanatically Catholic country, as you must have seen in the news this Good Friday. Cebu is also known in the Philippines as the "Queen City of the South." Makes me feel right at home.

Hey gerardw,
Does your handle by any chance relate to St. Gerard? I recently picked up his religious medal at a flea market (yes, i did pay the vendor- btw)

blessings, Wes

P.S. Enjoyed reading your testimony, too.