Margeaux Graham's Story Continues: American Legion Responds, Still Refuses to Allow Her to Attend Mass

By Stacy Trasancos
6/6/2012
The American Catholic (the-american-catholic.com)

What if everyone refused to dismiss the Eucharist with such boldness?

After Margeaux Graham declined the American Legion Auxiliary's invitation to attend their Girls' State Program because they told her she could not attend Sunday mass, Margeaux responded to the state officer who told her God would understand if she skipped Mass. Margeaux is taking a stand, not so much over being accommodated, but at the insult to the Eucharist.

Margeaux Graham's courageous stand for her faith is inspiring.

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WORCESTER, MA (The American Catholic) - (This article originally appeared at The American Catholic. It is reprinted here with the author's permission.)

Margeaux Graham is really a quite reserved young woman, confident, articulate and anticipating the future that lays before her in a nation where women have the opportunity to become influential political leaders. She doesn't sensationally seek the spotlight, and genuinely desires to adhere to reasonable codes of conduct in a democratic society. She takes sincere pride in her academic achievement.

As a Catholic, she also refuses to compromise her obligations. This is her first priority, and now this priority has caused a conflict she must face. At a time in our country, and in our world, when threats to religious freedom plaque the media daily, this young woman's simple and sincere willingness to challenge long-standing, but very flawed, policies and practices is inspiring.

What if everyone refused to dismiss the Eucharist with such boldness?

A Recap:

It all started when Margeaux was selected to attend a prestigious Girls State session by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) in Florida. She was chosen as a delegate based on her outstanding scholastic ability and her desire to learn more about how our government works. The session is a 9-day experience where the girls participate in a mock democratic government that fosters civic leadership and stimulates, in the words of the Director, a "desire to protect the privileges and responsibilities of our democratic form of government." It is a high honor to be chosen for participation.

In preparing for her trip, to her surprise, Margeaux was told that she could not attend Mass on Sunday, and that her only option would be to attend the "non-offensive" non-denominational service offered for all participants. This was motivated at least in part by a concern for safety, understandably. The organizers do not permit the girls to leave the session alone for any reason.

So Margeaux's mother, willing to accommodate this reasonable concern, sought help from a sympathetic member of the local American Legion. She offered to come take her daughter to Mass, or to have someone arrange for a priest to celebrate Mass at the conference site. But - this accommodation was rejected. Margeaux then wrote the letter reprinted in the last article to the President of the state ALA chapter, explaining that she must decline the invitation, and the academic and civic honor extended to her, if it meant that she had to neglect her obligation to attend Mass.

Discussions are still underway and they are praying for a favorable outcome. The intent is not to disparage anyone, only to defend a teen's right to attend Mass and to develop as a leader in our country. The accommodation being requested in perfectly reasonable, and defensible by the constitutional and civic rights guaranteed to citizens of the Unites States. A young woman should not be discriminated against because she is a faithful Catholic.

In the meantime, Margeaux has responded to the state officer who scolded her and told her God would understand if she skipped Mass. Margeaux is taking a stand, not so much over being accommodated, but at the insult to the Eucharist. This high school junior minces no words and flat out, boldly defends the source and summit of the Christian life. I hope someone at a Catholic university is able to help her with her future endeavors. With the exception of the first sentence, you might consider reading the opening paragraph out loud!

Mrs. [ALA Florida Officer],

This is Margeaux, not my mother. I am abhorred at the fact that as a Catholic you are unaware of the importance of the holy sacrifice of the Mass and that you would compare it to a dance competition or a track meet. As any good Catholic should know, missing Mass is a mortal sin, and should be avoided at all costs.* The celebration of Mass is the centerpiece of the Catholic faith; it has been that way since it was first celebrated at the Last Supper. As a Catholic, I believe that Jesus suffered and died on the cross so that we can have intimate communion with Him at Mass. That you find it acceptable to miss such an important aspect of our faith may not necessarily make you less Catholic, but it certainly demonstrates your lack of understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

As for my not attending Girls State I do not regret my decision, after all why would I want to participate in a program that takes the experience of Mass away, even if it just for one Sunday. I am not trying to blame anyone for my decisions, they are mine and I take full responsibility of them. Though, I must admit that I am disappointed that I will not receive the academic ...

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

Rob Mendoza
11 months ago
Bravo! I'm so glad that the Girls State officer was able to maturely and professionally digest Margeaux' letter calling them out for their discrimination against faithful Catholics.

As a father of 3 teenage girls myself, I've taken Margeaux's situation especially to heart. Also, I take comfort knowing that if any of them were to face the same dilemma, they would not take it lying down, but would choose to fight just as Margeaux has.

This young lady has a bright future ahead of her.
Judy Claar
11 months ago
To me, Margeaux is a religious hero to all young Catholics. That is to say, she is a champion among Catholic youth. She is a true Catholic Evangelical. She is also a true patriot. Margeaux, I am sure in her humility, thinks she has done no more than any other good practicing Catholic would do. But I am saying these words to let you Margeaux, know, that you are an Example to others. You are not hiding the Light of Christ under a bushel basket, but letting it shine. I thank you. And may many more of our Catholic Patriot's let their light shine. Thank you again, and all those who follow in your peaceful stead for Christ, giving us Hope for the future. Blessings...
Erika
11 months ago
I am glad the organization apologized on some level. it was still a half assed apology! sorry just calling it as I see it! if your going to apologize then do it without defending & excusing your actions, it just makes one continue to look ignorant! but I guess something is better than nothing! I agree that yes attending Mass in the Catholic Church is of great importance, but it is not a "mortal sin". Our Salvation is determined by our acceptance in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior & our personal intimate relationships with him not by church attendance! though yes we need church to grow closer to Christ for nourishment, but missing now & then as long as it is not habitual does not mean one is hell bound either! This all being said, She is right in defending the faith like this. according to the church's teaching this organization gives her no real solid good reason to miss Mass. it puts her in a state of sin. it forces this sin upon her. & she has every right both legally & morally to defend & protect her conscience! The rejection of allowing a priest to come in & give mass during the same exact time the protestant service is being held shows the discrimination! that is where the auxilary has put a nail in their coffin on the matter & where they are walking a tight rope legally. You can encompass all protestant denominations in a non-denominational service but not "Catholic". mainly because 95% to 98% of protestants all have the "Calvinist doctrine" where we Catholics & Orthodox's do not! All "Christian" yes, but very very distinct different set of Christian practices & beliefs. In Christianity you are either a Catholic or a Protestant! there is no in between! how hard is it to accommodate that? ...really? The military base by us has ONE Catholic service & ONE Protestant Service, ONE Jewish service, ONE Muslim. & thats about it. The military does a GOOD job at accommodating most all religions. I don't see why an organization like this cannot be more accommodating when our Armed Forces can! but you know. its more their loss not having her! not the other way around. Margeaux does not need this or them to succeed in life. & she has more than made that clear. ;o)
robert matzinger
11 months ago
I can guarantee you that they would have accomodated a "Muslim" and somehow found a way for him/her to pray 5 times daily, etc.
Rob
11 months ago
It's young people like her that give me hope for our future. This does speak volumes about the level of formation of those in the governing body who make these rules. But the part I like the most about her letter is the fact that she points out that this organization should be committed to those fundemental liberties that soldiers they represent fought and died for. Instead of saying, woops, we didn't think of that, let's put a group together and go to the Cathedral across the street, I believe they made the entire auxilary look bad. Clearly shows what their priorities are.
Robert Burford
11 months ago
My most important appointment that I attend every week is Church on Sunday. I do it not because it is a mortal sin to miss although is. I want to go. I work five days per week and one of those days is Sunday. I have tried to change my days off and job but it has not been easy. I need the Mass and the Eucharist to stay connected. It is not an option to miss because it is where I want to be. It is "home". However, I see the safety issue. The auxillery would have to have a sponsor either go with her or have a parent go with her. Organizations today are overrun with issues of safety and the liability or threats of law suits when it comes to the safety of children. It is ashame that they have to live in fear but it is also ashame that the young lady cannot attend the church of her choice. The honor and glory of the Girls State is nothng to the glory of God. The young lady made the best choice and that choice will give glory to God.

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