26 comments on “"March" Madness? We're Suing”

1. There are *two* Madness tournaments this month in the world of basketball. Living as I do in Tennessee, it is hard not to know this. But I'm also from Delaware and the UD women are seeded #3 in their division! I confess I didn't check for saints in the women's tournament.

2. Oh let's not forget the Duke Blue Devils and the Lamar Cardinals: maybe not saintly, but theologically relevant!

   1. My Duke diploma does mention Trinity on it.

3. Perhaps we will see Davidson defeat a Goliath or two this year, again. If not, stay tuned for next yeear, we have a young team. Go 'Cats!

4. 14 saintly teams are in the NCAA women's bracket:
   Santa Barbara
   George (town)
   Sacred Heart
   (De)Paul
   West Virginia
   Bonaventure
   Georgia
   Marist
   Louis(ville)
   Mary(land)
   Louis (LSU)
   San Diego
   St John's
   Gonzaga

5. Excellent additions, Geof.

   And beautiful (and quick) saintly analysis of the Women's bracket, Jane!

   1. And there's another Virginia in the men's bracket: VCU.

6. Gentlemen, I am pretty sure my Syracuse Orange qualify as good protestants.

   1. "Good" and "Protestant" in the same sentence?

      1. *growl*
         (from a protestant domini canis. Don't MAKE me go all inquisition on your asperges!)

7. You forgot my alma mater, Ohio State, named for the obscure St. Ohiosius Statuens, known for standing and preaching under a buckeye tree. O - H

   1. I - O ...my Buckeye husband has trained me well 🙂

8. You must have gone to RC schools. I, too, was told by the good sisters that Virginia was named for Mary. Alas, later in life I learned it was named for Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen.

   1. I think Elizabeth I qualifies as a saint, too.

      A Prayer by Queen Elizabeth I
      http://www.elizabethi.org/uk/elizabethanchurch/prayer.html

      Besides, I've seen Elizabeth I dancing in the top row of saints at St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco (and probably doing a better job of it than me).

9. Elizabeth I qualifies, too.

   A Prayer by Queen Elizabeth I

   O Most Glorious King, and Creator of the whole world, to whom all things be subject, both in heaven and earth, and all best Princes most gladly obey. Hear the most humble voice of thy handmaid, in this only happy, to be so accepted. How exceeding is thy goodness, and how great mine offences. Of nothing hast thou made me not a worm, but a Creature according to thine own image, heaping all the blessings upon me that men on earth hold most happy. Drawing my blood from kings and my bringing up in virtue; giving me that more is, even in my youth knowledge of thy truth: and in times of most danger, most gracious deliverance: pulling me from the prison to the palace: and placing me a Sovereign Princess over thy people of England. And above all this, making me (though a weak woman) yet thy instrument, to set forth the glorious Gospel of thy dear Son Christ Jesus.

   Thus inthese last and worst days of the world, when wars and seditions with grievous persecutions have vexed almost all Kings and Countries, round about me, my reign hath been peaceable, and my realm a receptacle to thy afflicted church. The love of my people hath appeared firm, and the devices of mine enemies frustrate. Now for these and other thy benefits (O Lord of all goodness) what have I rendered to thee? Forgetfulness, unthankfulness and great disobedience. I should have magnified thee, I have neglected thee. I should have prayed unto thee, I have forgotten thee. I should have served thee, I have sinned against thee. This is my case. Then where is my hope? If thou Lord wilt be
   extreme to mark what is done amiss, who may abide it? But thou art gracious and merciful, long suffering and of great goodness, not delighting in the death of a Sinner. Thou seest whereof I came, of corrupt seed: what I am, a most frail substance: where I live in the world full of wickedness: where delights be snares, where dangers be imminent, where sin reigneth, and death abideth.

   This is my state. Now where is my comfort? In the depth of my misery I know no help (0 Lord) but the height of thy mercy, who hast sent thine only Son into the world to save sinners. This God of my life and life of my soul, the King of all comfort, is my only refuge. For his sake therefore, to whom thou hast given all power, and wilt deny no petition, hear my prayers. Turn thy face from my sins (0 Lord) and thine eyes to thy handiwork. Create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Order my steps in thy word, that no wickedness have dominion over me, make me obedient to thy will, and delight in thy law. Grant me grace to live godly and to govern justly: that so living to please thee, and reigning
   to serve thee I may ever glorify thee, the Father of all goodness and mercy. To whom with thy dear Son, my only Saviour, and the Holy Ghost my Sanctifier, three persons and one God: be all praise, dominion and power, world without end. Amen.

   (Besides, I've seen Elizabeth I dancing in the top row of saints at St. Greogy of Nyssa in San Francisco--and doing a better job of it than me.)

10. What is this Baskett-ball?

11. So what's next - movies? I shudder for The Madness of King George.

12. I am afraid that you left out my alma mater the University of Louisville. Louisville is short for Saint Louisville, Patron Saint of very fast horses who run in circles in the Spring.

13. You guys are getting to be too clever for your own good and I LOVE IT !!! Life oftimes gets a tad boring and I'm finding that you do provide a novel touch that is uplifting on really crappy days. Watch the funny ciggies.....not too many on a daily basis. Oh ..what the hey.....Live it up !!!

14. Sorry Tim ... the Commonwealth of Virginia was named for Elizabeth I the "Virgin Queen ... not the "Virgin Mary."
    Carry me back to Ol' Virginie ... please!
    Harrison+
    St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Glenwood Springs, CO

15. Unfortuntately, Ephraim Williams never achieved sainthood altho in founding a school which originally encouraged ministering to the Christian brotherhood, maybe, just maybe.................

16. Berkeley, home of the University of California, was named after Bishop Berkeley. He may not be on the Official List, but he's a religious figure.
    With that being said: As the original campus, the Berkeley team gets to use "California"/"Cal" on the uniforms (etc.) without additional descriptors.

    The majority of UC campuses could qualify for inclusion on the List thanks to the Spanish - with now not one but two of the many names of the Blessed Virgin (Los Angeles and Merced) in the mix.

    Go Bears and Go Gaels! (St. Mary's of California, our scrappy local Cinderella)

    1. Uh ... you people could be considering your Sunday sermons like the rest of us.

17. Thanks for your concern about our preaching, Harrison. If you're speaking to the members of the Supreme Executive Committee, you'll be relieved to know that Scott, as the Executive Director of an agency of the Episcopal Church, does not regularly have to prepare Sunday sermons and I have a curate. Good luck with your own sermon preparation -- perhaps you should spend less time trolling the internet and more time in prayerful study. I find that works pretty well for me.