Boudreaux the Baptist

I was born and raised in North Louisiana.  But my wife of 12 years is from Avoyelles Parish, South Louisiana which is much, much different than my neck of the woods.  Brandi was born and raised in what is affectionately called the "Cajun Crossroads" of Louisiana.  A Cajun would say, "Anyone north of the crossroad would be a redneck."  Talk about culture shock, I remember my first visit with her kin.  I needed a translator to understand the Cajun conversation - a mix of English and French.  The volume of speech in South Louisiana always seems many decibels louder than any conversation in Ouachita parish.  And the food - quite different but good.  South Louisiana is predominately Catholic.  North Louisiana is Baptist. 

Now that you know a little about the cultural chasm in Louisiana, you will laugh with me at the following story..

Boudreaux the Baptist
Boudreaux, a Cajun highlander from Rapides Parish in central Louisiana, was an older, single gentleman, who was born and raised a Baptist, living in South Louisiana. Each Friday night after work, he would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a venison steak.

Now, all of Boudreaux's neighbors were Catholic... And since it was Lent, they were forbidden from eating meat on Fridays. The strong delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest. The priest came to visit Boudreaux, and suggested that Boudreaux convert to Catholicism. After several classes and much study, Boudreaux attended Mass and as the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, "You were born a Baptist and raised a Baptist, but now you are Catholic."

Boudreaux's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood. The priest was called immediately by the neighbors and, as he rushed into Boudreaux's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped in amazement and watched.

There stood Boudreaux, clutching a small bottle of water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat, and chanted: "You wuz born a deer, and you wuz raised a deer, but now you a catfish."