Will the people of St. Louis, Missouri, rise up to support their namesake or will the alumni of Gallaudet University emerge in force? Will the people of France cry "Mon Dieu!" and vote for Louis or will the Deaf community throughout the world come together in support of Thomas? These questions, and probably more, will be answered in today's edition of "As the Steeple Turns."
In yesterday's Battle of the Catherines, Catherine of Siena solidly defeated Catherine of Alexandria 61% to 39%. No word on how Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Middleton (aka the Duchess of Cambridge), Katy Perry, Katie Couric, or Katharine Jefferts Schori voted.
Louis of France
Though other monarchs have been named saints, Louis IX of France is the only French sovereign on the Roman Catholic Church’s divine rolls. Louis IX acceded to the throne when he was just twelve years old. Although he was known for his fiery youthful temper, he was widely viewed as an able commander and generous ruler. He endowed monasteries, abbeys, and cathedrals from the earliest years of his reign. Most spectacular is the Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) in Paris, which housed numerous relics including the Crown of Thorns and relics of the True Cross.
Throughout his reign, Louis was well regarded for his impartiality, even-handedness, and willingness to negotiate rather than go to war. He worked tirelessly to find a fair peace with Henry III of England, though he could have insisted on punitive demands. Instead, he allowed the King of England to retain not only substantial claims to land but also his dignity. In return, the English monarch named himself a vassal of Louis, pledging mutual military support and protection. An able negotiator and trusted arbitrator, Louis was often asked to navigate difficult diplomatic situations between parties across Europe (and was even called upon to make peace between Henry III and his English barons). Louis became known as the ideal of Christian Princedom.
He changed laws to limit corruption and increase transparency. Trial by combat, judicial duels, usury, and more were done away with as Louis sought to create a more humane and responsible system of governance. Had popular voting in brackets been invented in the thirteenth century, we are pretty sure Louis would have supported this particular mode of governance and competition. Louis is not without flaws, though, and was not given to unleavened piety. He struggled with gluttony and always worked to maintain his temper. (He was often most exercised by the abuses of clergy, which he punished with some ferocity.)
Perhaps the most damaging parts of Louis’s legacy are his leadership of the failed crusade in Tunisia, which would prove to be his mortal end. In addition, at the urging of the Holy See, he burned thousands of copies of Jewish texts (this campaign against the Jews was overturned by the succeeding Pope).
At his death in 1270, Louis demonstrated his deep care for his people. He commanded his son to protect and assist the poor, who were the humblest of his subjects. Louis IX was popularly recognized as a saint long before the Vatican declared him as such in 1297.
Collect for Louis of France
O God, who called your servant Louis of France to an earthly throne that he might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave him zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate him this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thomas Gallaudet
Along with his father and brother, Thomas Gallaudet played a leading role in establishing deaf education and promoting the advancement of the Deaf in the United States throughout the nineteenth century. (The capitalized “Deaf ” is used when referring to Deaf culture, as opposed to “deaf ” to describe hearing loss). His father, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, co-founded the first School for the Deaf in America. His brother, Edward Miner Gallaudet, became the principal of what is now Gallaudet University, the first to offer college degrees to the Deaf.
Both his mother and his wife were Deaf, and Thomas Gallaudet was fluent in sign language from childhood. At that time, no one recognized signing as a language. Most people considered sign merely crude gestures; it wasn’t formally recognized as a language until the 1960s.
Gallaudet first taught at his father’s school in Connecticut, then at the New York Institution for Deaf Mutes. While there, he began teaching Bible classes to the Deaf as he studied for the ministry. Shortly after his ordination as an Episcopal priest in 1851, he established St. Ann’s Church, the first congregation in any denomination for the Deaf. Services were both spoken and signed and were free to all in a time when pew rent was the norm. Beginning in 1859, he expanded this ministry to other cities.
Throughout the 1800s, a fierce battle raged over whether the Deaf should be allowed to sign or not. The 1880 Milan Conference of Deaf Educators declared oral instruction (teaching speech and lip-reading) superior to sign and voted to ban the use of all manual instruction in deaf education.
Gallaudet managed to maintain a generous spirit, working with people across the spectrum of the issue while continuing his advocacy. Although incorporating oral instruction in his work, he continued to offer signed services and interpreted at churches throughout the country. He promoted Deaf candidates for the priesthood. In fact, the first Deaf priest, Henry Syle, shares Gallaudet’s feast day. And he helped the Deaf establish their own institutions to care for their community. Gallaudet changed people’s minds about what the Deaf can do. Throughout his ministry, he gave his personal testimony, telling those with ears to hear “that signs can make up a real, living language as well as sounds. If this be so, the imparting of the sacramental life, according to our Lord’s appointment, cannot surely be limited to the latter.”
Collect for Thomas Gallaudet
O loving God, whose will it is that everyone should come to you and be saved: We bless your Holy Name for your servants Thomas Gallaudet and Henry Winter Syle, whose labors with and for those who are deaf we commemorate today; and we pray that you will continually move your Church to respond in love to the needs of all people; through Jesus Christ, who opened the ears of the deaf, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Vote!
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140 comments on “Louis of France vs. Thomas Gallaudet”
A big "like" to Susan's comment about the saintliness of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that are needing to be done. And I too vote for Hymn # 293 as a theme for Lent Madness. Because "I mean to be one too!"
"Louis...was not given to unleavened piety" and "was often most exercised by the abuses of clergy..."
Robert, I love your elegant and (dare I say) courtly use of the language. I can just hear your words coming out of Maggie Smith's mouth!
One more thing:
I would like to wish everyone a happy Feast of Saint Joseph (my patron saint).
Had to vote for Thomas -- he helped open the world to the Deaf Community! Just goes to show you that "ordinary people" are the saints among us. I also agree Hymn #293 is a perfect one for Lent Madness -- one I learned as a small child in Sunday School eons ago!!
My grandmother Jessie, born in Edinburgh in the 1870's became deaf as a young girl. She was taught to read lips. Oh how much she missed in life by not by not learning to sign. In her memory, I vote for Galludet.
Louis of France for me. Today's a toughie, though.
Not tough for me. Gallaudet all the way.
Did Louis punish abuses OF the clergy or BY the clergy?
Having served as Vicar of Holy Spirit Church of the Deaf in the Diocese of California and worked for the Episcopal Conference of the Deaf as an employee and as a volunteer Board Member, of course I voted for Thomas Gallaudet!
As noted, Thomas Gallaudet founded St. Ann's Church for the Deaf in New York City (still in existence today). But he was also instrumental in helping to establish deaf churches in the Eastern and Southern United States, in the Midwest and the West! When I did my field education work at Holy Spirit Church, I invited a deaf woman to accompany me one Sunday. Though she had been raised an Episcopalian, she did not come up for Communion that day. After the service when I asked why, she began to cry and said "This is the first time I have understood what was happening in the service. I need time to think about I've just experienced." You see, the service was in sign language. She was not dependent on her family to point in the Prayer Book/Hymnal. A signed service has a different pace...sort of like a choral Eucharist....easier for the Deaf to follow. This woman convinced me of the importance for the Deaf to have a faith and/or sacramental experience in their own language! Thomas Gallaudet started this ministry and it continues today throughout the United States because of him. Thomas Gallaudet is a beloved man in the deaf community. Some even refer to him as "Apostle to the Deaf."
I believe one member of the SEC feels there are way too many people in Holy Women, Holy Men and Louis may be an example of someone who should not have made the cut. The SCLM commentary says "Louis’ crusading adventures in the Middle East and in North Africa were of little historical consequence ." That seems like a rather casual dismissal to me. I know he was exemplary compared to other rulers of the age and context is important, but I'm having trouble getting past the "crusading adventures" (and having a bit of hard time with the use of the word "adventures"). But, today's contest has made me closely examine my expectations for Holy Women and Holy Men. So Lent Madness - mission accomplished!
Both candidates were men of their times. Times separated by hundreds of years so the political & cultural (not to mention geographic) landscapes. It seems Fr. Gallaudet continued and greatly expanded his family's concern for the Deaf. Then, time traveling back, King Louis IX, had to Make policy. Some of Louis' actions were brilliant, and some not so much. I vote for Louis because of his handling of the English after defeating them. Perhaps (I really don't know), but perhaps allowing English to continue developing their culture. And, at the very least, Louis had a political friend, rather than a sore loser, thus freeing Louis to keep his eye on other possible threats. [On the other hand, buring of manuscripts is ALWAYS "tacky".]
Another easy choice. Again-- Maxime's vs Max & Erma's. A best-in-category saint from a foreign category now remembered only by the civilized vs an earnest inclusionist close in time, place and class to ourselves. Both are wonderful, but it's all in what you want. For a lenten experience, vote for someone deeply revered in a christian, yet unfamiliar culture; to congratulate oneself on being the very flower of all humanity, just vote for the most recent candidate whoever it is. St Louis, obviously.
SEC-- 'Might it not be more fun (and less prejudicial) to pair nearer contemporaries with each other more often? Say... Anna Cooper v Thomas Gallaudet. Alfred the Great v Louis of France? Less 'madness,' maybe, but more Lenten.
I agree with the poster who suggested pairing saints from similar eras, at least in the early rounds. Most of us have a natural human tendency to see the behavior of others through the lens of our own times and preferences. (I did it myself with Antony of Egypt vs Mary of Same.) I suspect that a lot of voters also have a related tendency to go for the socially active modern saints with whom they can identify, rather than the ancients who helped to build and sustain the faith that brought us to this point.
It grieved me to lose both David and Alfred the Great in the same early round, even though, as a musician, I had to vote for Sebastian Bach on that one. The Egyptian duo forced people to really consider carefully which one deserved to go on. Please give us more tough choices!
Louis was not an enlightened ruler by our standards (ie. crusade, book burning), but he was for his own time - so, I have rationalized voting for Louis and St Chapelle over the wonderful accomplishments of Thomas Gallaudet.
When I saw St. Louis in the bracket, I was sure he would get my vote in honor of a certain baseball player. However, the more I learned about Louis, the less I felt inclined to vote for him. Alas, in a perfect world, Stan Musial would have played for the Gallaudet Cardinals!
In honor of the hearing-impaired family (a single mom with three children) in our congregation, I vote for Thomas Gallaudet. They continue in Gallaudet's tradition, persistently seeking ways to keep education for the Deaf accessible and relative, and allowing children to participate in the "fulness" of life.
As a francophone who has lived in Paris and visited La Sainte-Chapelle many times, and even attended the Good Friday veneration of the True Crown of Thorns at Notre Dame, I have to cast my sentimental vote for Saint Louis, despite his flaws. That said, I live in DC, and my sister works with deaf clients, so I probably should have gone for Gallaudet. Sigh.
Merci Mme. Nancy. J'ai la meme.
Louis is a very impressive one but i cannot stomach burning the Jewish texts. I am deeply grateful to Thomas Gallaudet for his work with the deaf and particularly for his work with sign language. Just have to go with Gallaudet.
This was not a difficult choice. I'm not a fan of the Crusades, but the deal breaker for me was Louis's burning Jewish texts. After 3 semesters of Hebrew, this was too much. Gallaudet gets my vote today.
A dear friend of mine became deaf in her 60's. She learned to lip read and went to her sign language class 3 times a week. She taught the young girl I was then so much about faith and life. My vote today is in honor and rememberance of her.
Like Elsa, Robin and many others, I also cast my vote for Rev.Thomas Gallaudet. His work was more than the family business. It was a calling. He opened the church doors and let the Deaf inside.
Generations of Deaf and deaf persons call him an apostle, spreading the word of God in the language of the Deaf.
Go Thomas G. !
I don't get the problem with Thomas Gallaudet working in the family business -- Louis IX acceded to the throne when he was 12 . . . now that's staying in the family business!
Voted for Galludet, especially since I'm borrowing the current congregation of NYC's St. Ann's worship space tonight for my Lenten Small Group. 🙂
Wow, I voted then looked, and see Louis is being trounced...but I felt that the kind of leader he was, is so desperately needed in our world today. It was a tough one though as we have a major school for the deaf here.
After rereading (?) the bio's and giving a great deal of thought to my vote, I just cast my voter for Thomas Galludet. Louis certainly was a good leader, but for me the fact that the Galludet family made it possible for an entire population to be able to communicate with each other as well as the rest of the population, made it the easiest choice so far.
I want to say I would be the kind of person who would never burn Jewish writings, never do any of the things that today's culture abhors - but I'm not that strong. In fact, I'm a great survivor, and would probably do what the times and the culture required - and if burning Jewish texts is what is required to stay alive and keep my kingdom, I might do it. Especially if I convince myself that I can help the people more by staying in a system and working from within than being a martyr, cast out, and killed. Just being honest. I have the luxury of having my own voice, feeling enlightened, and, though others may not have been able to express their own voices in their times, they may have felt good about what they were doing in the context of culture and history. It is so easy to judge from today when we are in a different place and time. I love Lent Madness!
And I love the ability to express my own opinion, even though different from people voting against my Saint of the Day. !!!
Galludet has my vote because "telling those with ears to hear “that signs can make up a real, living language as well as sounds. If this be so, the imparting of the sacramental life, according to our Lord’s appointment, cannot surely be limited to the latter.”
A truly difficult choice. I don't know if the supreme committee is to be sent to the rack or to be congratulated!
Anyway despite crusade and book burning i have to vote for Louis as I was ordained to the transitional diaconate on his feast day and in Europe too although not in France. Besides we all need a little more wise reconciliation and peacemaking!
Voting late so I know I've voted for the loser,
but he was the great grandson of my favorite historical figure. So, since Eleanor of Aquitaine will never be included in the race for the Golden Halo, I had to vote for Louis.
Sorry, Louis. I try not to hold my current cultural standards against the ancients, but you lost me at the book-burning. Thanks for the other stuff, though!
Gaullaudet's influence continues in the here and now, and benefits more people I actually know and care for know.
I love "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God," too--very much. But I don't think it's got the right vibe for Lent Madness.