The Saintly Sixteen continues with this year's early Cinderella, Lucy, taking on another modern martyr, Oscar Romero. Lucy made it this far by upsetting John the Baptist while Oscar Romero trounced Elizabeth Ann Seton. Will the "eyes" have it or will the assassinated archbishop carry the day?
In an emotional match-up (get used to it) yesterday, Jonathan Daniels bested Janani Luwum. He'll go on to face the winner of Martin Luther King, Jr. vs. Frances Perkins in the Elate Eight.
Despite the effects of Lent Madness Withdrawal (LMW) we all might need some time to catch our collective breath this weekend before a full week of Saintly Sixteen match-ups.
Oscar Romero
Oscar Romero, Roman Catholic archbishop in El Salvador, used his position to advocate for the rights of the oppressed, and for his advocacy, was assassinated while saying mass in 1980.
Archbishop Romero was orthodox to the core; he even went to Opus Dei for spiritual direction. To his mind, giving voice to the voiceless was advocating for the Church in its truest sense:
You and I and all of us are worth very much because we are creatures of God...and so the church values human beings and contends for their rights, for their freedom, for their dignity. That is an authentic church endeavor. While human rights are violated,...while there are tortures, the church considers itself persecuted, it feels troubled, because the church...cannot tolerate that an image of God be trampled by persons that become brutalized by trampling on others. The church wants to make that image beautiful.
Sadly, his fellow bishops and the Vatican hierarchy did not agree. When he had an audience with Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Romero used the opportunity to present the pope with a list of the names of the desparacidos that he had gathered, and urged the pope’s immediate intervention. But due to his continued, and fruitless, lobbying of the Vatican, by March 24, 1980, the pope had signed the order to replace him as archbishop. He never got the chance -- Romero was assassinated that evening[1].
Romero’s preaching, because it was broadcast throughout the country, was a powerful persuasive tool in the bloody civil war, and Romero took full advantage of it. In his last Sunday sermon, he directly addressed the members of the death squads:
Brothers, you came from our own people. You are killing your own brother peasants when any human order to kill must be subordinate to the law of God which says, 'Thou shalt not kill'. No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God. ...it is high time you recovered your consciences and obeyed your consciences rather than a sinful order. The church, the defender of the rights of God, of the law of God, of human dignity, of the person, cannot remain silent before such an abomination. ... In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you -- I beg you -- I order you -- in the name of God: stop the repression.
Until the end, Romero thought martyrdom was a fate too honorable for him; “If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of my people. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish. I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador."
[1] National Catholic Reporter, (http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/romeros-resurrection)
Lucy
It's great that this round features quirks and legends, since much of what we know about Lucy is legendary. Aside from the important fact that she suffered martyrdom (during the Diocletian persecution of Christians in the 4th-century) after distributing her dowry to the poor, little is known of her life. She has always been a very popular saint, appealing to Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Anglicans alike. Major feasts for Lucy abound, from Sweden to Italy to Omaha, Nebraska, plus she has an island in the Lesser Antilles named after her.
Legend has it that Lucy’s eyes were torn out, either by her own self or by her torturers, but God supplied her with new eyes. Thus, she is often portrayed holding a platter with a pair of eyes on it, and she is the patron saint of the blind and those with eye diseases.
Another legend explains why in Scandinavia Lucy carries a tray of coffee and saffron buns shaped like cats with raisin eyes (lussekatter): during a 19th-century famine, a glowing Lucy arrived in a Swedish village by boat, bringing food to the starving residents. She wears the crown of lighted candles so that her hands are free to distribute nourishment to the hungry as she represents the Light of Christ in the world.
A similar 16th-century legend comes from her hometown of Syracuse, Sicily, where she appeared in the harbor, wearing her halo of candles, directing a flotilla of ships delivering wheat to famished Sicilians on her feast day (December 13). The people were so hungry that they simply boiled the wheat, rather than taking time to grind it into flour, hence the eating of wheat berries (cuccia) on St. Lucy’s day in Sicily.
Not many saints have their own soundtrack. Lucy inspired the traditional Neapolitan song “Santa Lucia” which Elvis Presley liked so much that he recorded it on his album “Elvis for Everyone” AND sang it in his movie “Viva Las Vegas.” It was also sung by Barney on “The Andy Griffith Show,” by the Robot and Will Robinson on “Lost in Space,” as well as featured in a Tom & Jerry cartoon, an episode of “Hogan’s Heroes,” and The Marx Brothers movie “A Night at the Opera.”
In all seriousness, though, Lucy’s steadfastness in her faith despite the violence done to her and her selfless generosity to the poor and hungry have inspired people in all times and places (see her photo here with Baby Jesus). With this plethora of stories (and more but I’m going over the word count!), it is clear that there are many reasons why Lucy is so universally beloved. I invite our dear readers to add theirs in the comments below.
-- Penny Nash
Vote!
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101 comments on “Oscar Romero vs. Lucy”
I'd be happy with either. Almost voted for Lucy; she's a very traditional martyr who cared for the poor and died under persecution (and BTW, here's Enrico Caruso singing "Santa Lucia": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX4SzE_GDRE - nice!).
But then, Oscar Romero also cared for the poor and died under persecution- all while holding an "orthodox" view of Christian faith (perhaps not much different from Lucy's, in fact?). Which is one reason I'm leaning towards him; another is that people in the world today may be better able to identify with him.
Both are wonderful witnesses to courage, steadfastness, and love through faith....
L egend U nderdogs C reate Y ore. Lucy all the way.
Saint Lucy gets my vote. Opus dei makes this Episcopalian squirm! Coffee, kitty buns, music and patron saint of the blind. Who could ask for more? I Love Lucy!
Voting for Oscar Romero for his conversion as a bishop to serve the oppressed and poor, and for being very irritating to his seniors. We need people able to challenge the hierarchy of the church and call it back to serving the gospel.
Oscar Romero directly addressed the death squad and the pope. Neither listened.
God, indeed, works in mysterious ways. I also voted for Oscar Romero.
I lead an "Old Swedes" church and we have one of the biggest LuciaFest weekend celebrations in the world so please no none tell the Swedes, but I have to vote for Oscar Romero. He stood up to all authority, all terror, every evil he encountered, braved the world to live as Christ and challenged us all to do the same. In the name of the poor, the hungry, those suffering injustice, in the name of Christ he lived out loud Matthew 25:31-46.
(Besides: Lucy beat my man John the Baptist. Can't quite forget about that one, Lu....)
Well, Romero probably would have gotten my vote, but I used today's match-up as my homily in Chapel today at St. Mark's Cathedral School. In a near landslide, the students went for Lucy, and I promised to cast my vote for their winner, so Lucy it is. I think it was the eyeballs--Lower School boys loved the gross-out factor! After Chapel many parents were enthusiastic about the idea of Lent Madness and want to continue with it for the rest of the "season"!
Love this! 😉
Another impossible choice---you people are diabolical! But finally went with Lucy to on this, International Women's Day.
I think I shall stand with Lucy in honor of all young women who are victimized throughout the world with no voice to speak for them. I think Romero would speak for them, too. I am also a bit squeamish about Opus Dei, but I so respect his nagging of the Pope and others in power.
Oh dear, what a dilemma. I voted for Romero and Lucy in the previous round.
Much as I love the story of Lucy and her fortitude, for me it has to be Romero. His public stance against what he knew to be wrong fully knowing what the likely consequences might be.
Vote for Lucy to lighten up this bracket! The abundance of modern martyrs is getting heavy. Having problems with vision, she's an obvious choice for me. Selfish on my part but there it is. A family cat is named Lucy and quite proud of it. At mealtime she calls out to her saint who always responds by having the humans fill her dish and end her famine. I only wish that St. Lucy had put her foot down and not let that odd assortment of "stars" record her song.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVLbx-cTgd8/ULqU440TsrI/AAAAAAAAF_8/BLGYfPUhcMk/s400/lucia4.jpg
I had to go against all of my convictions and vote for Lucy, because I am afraid of what my friend K. Jeanne Person might do to herself if Lucy loses.
Gotta go for the underdog on the International day of women. I remember and honor Oscar Romero, but have been feeling more than a little embattled as a Liberal woman christian these past 6 months, especially when it comes to issues of what happens to a woman's body.
This is International Women's Day. Lucy must come first today--Oscar tomorrow.
The world (maybe the Vatican in particular?) so needs to hear what Oscar Romero has to say to us today and every day. Lucy is lovely - but Romero is absolutely urgent! (And my forecast.... he just might end up with the Golden Halo...)
There is just way too much fairy tale in the Lucy story for my taste including her supposed martyrdom at the hands of Diocletian, something that could not have happened since Diocletian did not have jurisdiction over Sicily at the time. Her story is a beautiful one and I too remember Barney singing Santa Lucia but for me it ends there.
Oscar Romero on the other hand speaks to me in a powerful way. His opposition to authority both within the church and from without is a powerful witness to his love and compassion for the people. Oscar Romero gets my vote today.
It's International Women's Day.
I have deep reverence for Bishop Romero, but I am voting for Lucy. I'm voting for her to honor my courageous 11 year old daughter, whose middle name is Lucy, and also to honor all girls and women who have struggled and still do to hold onto the integrity of their bodies, dreams, and faith- often in the face of tremendous pressure from family, church and culture.
One of my first churches, a small stone building on the Canadian prairie was dedicated to St Lucy, affectionatly known by the Rural Dean as "St Lucy Four Eyes" Pay attention everyone this is Lent - MADNESS. Go a little wild and give Lucy her place under the golden halo.
What a fantastic job by Penny Nash describing Lucy. Reading the comments extolling the virtues and rationale for voting for Lucy I am almost convinced to vote for her as I did in the first round but as someone mentioned the saintly round is where brackets go to die alas it is where legends go to die. Oscar Romeo stood tall against oppression. He provided a beacon against tyranny and injustice. I vote for Archbishop Romero.
My vote went to Lucy. Our dear niece is dying of ocular melanoma that's spread to all her major organs and Lucy has been a great comfort and support to her. If late voting provides a rally for Lucy and she somehow wins this round, I'm asking for a celebratory miracle.
I'm hoping Lucy comes through for your niece, too.
I understand, and certainly support Romero's claims, but my mother grew up near Naples which meant that I grew up with SANTA LUCIA, so I'm honoring your beagle and my memories today.
Great blog post David. I was going to vote for Romero, because I thought his quote about "being worthy because we are made in the image of God" and working to stop brutality and heal those who had been victimized. Then I read your blog post, and realized that Lucy's story of being protected from rape reminded me of the "Good Shepherd" parable, that God cares and protects. In my mind, that was protection of her beauty and innocence, but I'll get into that more on your blog post. Both give us hope in a world filled with violence, especially sexual violence. Not sure who to vote for now!
After reading the story of how Lucy would not be victimized even if she were raped, it no longer mattered to me that the stories are as much legend as fact: Lucy's story requires attention that is still not often paid. I'm for Lucy! --which does not mean against anybody else, just that today she has my vote.
Lucy for me - especially since eye surgery.
This one was actually easy. I voted for Lucy and Elizabeth last time, so it's time for Oscar. (Am I going into LMW too early?)
Here is yet another instance of a person put forward too soon.
Romero is a worthy man, but enough time has not passed to put him forward for consideration.
I am concerned that Lent Madness is really becoming more of a popularity contest than a learning experience.
I'm off my groove apparently, as I've voted for the "loser" for 2 days in a row (not that any of these folks is really a loser). My students will be disappointed that they've missed out on 8 points as a result. I voted with my emotions today, thinking of how young Lucy was... oh well.
I had to vote for Lucy despite a deep enthusiasm for the martyred Abp. Romero and all the rest who have put themselves at risk by embracing liberation theology. Why? The accretions to Lucy's legend, especially the weird Sweden to Sicily connection, appeal to the anthropologist in me. I trust folk religion to get the Way of Jesus right much more than I trust the official theologies spun by the elites. Either saint embodies the theme of Power to the People!
Me inspira Romero, pero tengo una hija que se llama Lucy...
And the captain asked: Have you made up your mind who you will vote for in today's Lent Madness battle? She replied, "Eye Eye, Sir!"
I was convinced I would vote for Oscar Romero before this round began but, after reading Penny's write-up, had to change my mind. Go Lucy!!!
It was always going to be Lucy for me. Beside the fact that I have soft spots for Barney Fife and the robot from Lost in Space. And a rather hard spot for Opus Dei.
Follow God's will, not the will of those who chose to ignore it - both saints in contest here today did that, but I had to vote for Bishop Romero - at this moment in time it is hard to treat this like a game or just a learning experience. Lent is within this as a serious devotion more than I realized - mug aside.
In spite of the fact that my dear husband's birthday is on St. Lucy's feast day, and because I didn't read any postings before I voted, AND because I'm stunned by the courage of Oscar Romero, I did vote for him...but I've always loved the candles-on-the-head custom of eldest daughters bringing breakfast buns to their parents...I'll be happy with whomever advances!