Margeaux’s Stand: Catholic Teen Defends Her Right to Attend Mass
“The American Legion Auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. Through its nearly 10,500 units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. Along with The American Legion, it solidly stands behind America and her ideals.”
Well?
While the nation discusses and debates the attacks on religious freedom, a high school junior in Florida has put her academic reputation on the line to stand up for her faith. Margeaux Graham was selected this year to participate in a prestigious 9-day leadership event in her state’s capital. The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) of Florida has an annual “Girls State” program whereby the participants “learn how to participate in the functioning of their state’s government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens.” It is a “nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. They are awarded 3 college credits and rare notoriety in the college application process.
Margeaux is a faithful Catholic. That is, she takes her obligation to attend Mass as just that — her obligation. When she inquired about nearby Catholic churches to plan where she would attend, she was told by the staff that the only opportunity any of the girls would have to participate in a Sunday service is to attend the “non-offensive”, non-denominational service offered for all at the conference. The event takes place at the University of Central Florida and the cathedral is literally right across the street from the UFC campus. Even when a member of the national American Legion contacted the Auxiliary to arrange for a priest to celebrate Mass on campus, this accommodation was denied.
So Margeaux took action herself. She wrote to the organizers declining the invitation, with firm resolve, unless she was allowed to attend Mass. This is her letter, reprinted with permission. Mind you, she is a high school junior…
Read the rest: The American Catholic
Category: Education, Featured, Secularism, Social Issues
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Good for her. More people need to stand up for what they believe in. If they did, fewer “sacrifices” would have to be made in order to be “successful”.
Margaux, you are my heroine.
Umm, by the way, I have a son……………
I can only say hats off to Margeaux, but not so for the ALA. I did follow the link and read her letter and the reply. I wonder if all the other state chapters of the ALA are the same way?
Good for her. A very mature measured letter as well.
I am still perplexed as to why an accomodation couldn’t be made. Is her time really being monopolised for 9 days and nights solid? I find it hard to believe.