A tongue-in-cheek, lighthearted guide for the uninitiated into the culture and traditions that shaped New Orleans. Rich in tradition, the Catholic faith has been a heavy influence on and unifying force of the culture and fabric of New Orleans from its inception. This book warm-heartedly recounts a light and sometimes-funny view of the city's churches, theology, schools, saints, weddings, funerals, and more.
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A tongue-in-cheek, lighthearted guide for the uninitiated into the culture and traditions that shaped New Orleans.
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"Just as all Y'at Orleanians know dat a true miracle is a Catlick family wid less than five kids, and da priest's benediction is da starting block for da mad dash to da parking lot, now dey'll know dat if dere's ever an archbishop of Y'ats, it'll be Earl Higgins-excuse me, Oil Higgins." --Angus Lind, New Orleans Times-Picayune "Where y'at?" is a universal greeting for New Orleanians; it is shorthand for "How are you?" So much of New Orleans' culture is shorthand, a fusion of the city's rich immigrant culture that defines the community by its music, food, and traditions. From the city's inception, the Catholic faith has influenced this evolution, with education and devotion being the cornerstones. Modern secular life--the way New Orleanians celebrate the joys and sorrows of living--also has its roots in Catholicism. From street and civil parish names to Mardi Gras, from the high school a New Orleanian attended to what he eats on Fridays, the joie de vivre spirit of faith shines through. Higgins, a proud Y'at Catholic, humorously shares the quirky shorthand of this aspect of New Orleans life.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!,
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This review is from: Joy of Y'at Catholicism, The (Paperback)
I have lived in AZ for 35 years but am a New Orleans native. If anyone wants insight into the uniqueness of the New Orleans brand of Catholicism, buy this book. In parts, I laughed until I cried--I remembered so many of these traditions from my childhood. A quote that stuck with me from the book was from a Jewish lawyer who said, "In New Orleans even the Jews are Catholic!"
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
By a non-cradle Catholic,
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This review is from: Joy of Y'at Catholicism, The (Paperback)
This is a wonderful insight into the religious fabric and culture of New Orleans, pre-Katrina. It is also a fairly accurate chronological history of New Orleans Catholicism as it influenced the schools and citizens of New Orleans both Catholic and non-catholic. Told in a sometimes comical and satirical manner, the author points out not only the serious side of being Catholic in "the city that care forgot." but the numerous absurd beliefs, where they came from, and how they were adopted without being questioned. Similar in nature to "A Confederacy of Dunces" you might get a deeper appreciation of the book had you either lived or at least visited New Orleans.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Best New Orleans Book in Many Years,
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This review is from: Joy of Y'at Catholicism, The (Paperback)
When the founders of New Orleans designed the city, they placed a church, St. Louis Cathedral, at the center, and then put government buildings on each side. This is how New Orleans is. Catholicism is the center of the city, so much so that it divides the government from itself. It is impossible to understand New Orleans without understanding its Catholic roots.
The Joys of Y'at Catholicism explores both the historic and modern Catholic church in the city, and does so with wry humor. At times Higgins can be a little too indulgent -- implying that some characteristics of NOLA Catholicism are unique to the city when they are not -- but for the most part this is a wonderful look at what makes New Orleans special. NOLA Catholicism is different from Catholicism elsewhere, and this is the joy of this book. I have been looking for a long time for a book I could recommend to visitors as the definitive New Orleans book. In fiction there are many choices, including Confederacy of Dunces and the Moviegoer, but in non-fiction I have found nothing quite as good as this. I recommend it to everyone who wants to understand the soul of the Big Easy.
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