Well, one thing is for sure in this round. Celebrity Blogger extraordinaire Megan Castellan will have a saint vying for the Golden Halo tomorrow. Yes, Megan is advocating for both Brigid of Kildare and Egeria, as she has throughout Lent Madness 2015. The real mystery is how she will trash talk herself!
The winner of today's battle will face Francis of Assisi for the Golden Halo tomorrow on Spy Wednesday. Francis trounced Molly Brant, one of the true cinderallas of this year's bracket, 71% to 29%.
To get to the Faithful Four, Brigid defeated Elizabeth, Dionysius the Great, and Kamehameha while Egeria beat Hildegard, Thomas Ken, and Frederick Douglass (click on the names of the vanquished foes to refresh your memory about the information shared about Brigid and Egeria in previous rounds).
Don't forget to catch this week's episode of the Emmy-winning (fine, we were robbed -- again) Monday Madness. Tim and Scott offer Oliver, everybody's favorite seven-now-eight-year-old Lent Madness oracle, official birthday greetings and share news of great joy -- how you can pre-order a mug featuring the to-be-determined 2015 Golden Halo winner.
Oh, and does voting for saints feel somehow at odds with the solemnity of Holy Week? Click to read Scott's contribution to the blog of St. Luke in the Fields in New York City, in a post titled Lent Madness: Holy Competition in Holy Week? Spoiler Alert: He thinks it makes perfect sense.
Brigid of Kildare
I fear I must trouble you with a story.
I was ordained to the diaconate on February 1. I learned that it was St. Brigid’s day when I was filling out the form for my ordination certificate, but I didn’t think much of this — merely that she sounded Irish or something, which might please my grandmother.
During the service, several things went awry. Not so badly as to spoil the day (it was glorious) but just as to be disorienting. So when it came time for the bishop to lay hands on our heads, I guess he was a mite flustered. He put his hands on my head (I came first, alphabetically), and said the prayer of ordination, ending with “By the power vested in me, I now ordain you a bishop….
no, wait….
a priest…..
no, wait….
Look, I’m just going to start all over again.”
Everyone got a good chuckle, and he took a breath and finally ordained me to the correct order of ministry. Thank the good Lord.
Afterwards, at the reception, my presenting priest commented to me that this was a really appropriate occurrence for Brigid’s day. I looked at her blankly, and she smiled, and told me to do some research.
Sure enough, I discovered that Brigid has much to commend her, even besides her penchant for microbrewing before it was popular. Her leadership, her wisdom, her generosity, her tenacity in what she knew was right (she marched across Ireland and back!) are rare and valuable indeed. And even if you are dismissive of ancient tales of columns of heavenly fire, or bathtubs that transform into beer, recall this: Brigid loved the people in her charge such that she made sure they never went hungry or thirsty. She gave away all she had for their sakes. And they saw in her wisdom and courage that could lead them safely.
Brigid — with or without miracle tales — lit the light of Christ in Ireland through her words, presence, and actions.
What better saint could you ask for? Vote Brigid!
Egeria
Holy Week, as observed through liturgy, changes a person. From the shouting, singing frenzy of Palm Sunday, to the poignant movements of Maundy Thursday, and the descent into the darkness, to the bleak desolation of Good Friday, to the expectant waiting and watching of the Vigil, which finally explodes into sunlight and the joy of Easter. One week captures all human emotion and wraps it in prayer.
Jerusalem, too, changes a person. There is a saying you hear when you visit on pilgrimage: “Go to Jerusalem for a week, you write a novel. Stay for two -- you cannot write even a sentence.” It’s a comment on the difficulties of conveying the depth of the experience, the complexities of people, the intensity of faith in this place. The heat of Jerusalem dries up your words.
Egeria, however, held onto her words. She not only held onto her words, she gifted us with words that would echo down the centuries and affect each and every one of us.
When she went on pilgrimage, she wasn’t content with a surface view of the things she saw. She asked questions, she took notes, she recorded everything, she sent her observations back home so everyone there could share her joy. She got to know the people around her, and described them with respect and dignity. She told the rest of the church what Holy Week liturgy looked like, in the place where it all began.
Egeria shows us what curiosity looks like, sure. But had she merely been a fourth-century busybody, I doubt her legacy would have lasted. Instead, what Egeria shows in her writing is respect and love for the different people and practices she encountered. It is that love which moved her to learn so much about rituals and customs different from her own and it was love that compelled her to convey the dance of the early liturgies so clearly to her sisters back home.
Surely, in our world today, we need more of Egeria’s questing love. Go Egeria!
Vote!
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164 comments on “Brigid of Kildare vs. Egeria”
"The heat of Jerusalem dries up your words."
Thank you, Megan, for two terrific, wonderful, insightful write ups, but this line struck a cord inside me and generated a vote for Egeria.
Although I planned to vote for Brigid anyway, thank you, Frederick Mann, for sharing about your healing at Brigid ' s well.
Just as there were 3 women at the cross (Jn 19:25) it seems appropriate to have had 3 women in the crossfire of Saintly 4. Looking forward to the penultimate match-up.
Mea culpa, I amend my comment to "crossfire of the Faithful four". Still learning the terminology of the bracket in my novice year of LM.
Egeria certainly gave people of faith in all ages lovely, important gifts. She was a heck of a reporter. Her halo must be handy as a reading lamp. But, oh, Brigid, born a slave but choosing all her life to seek and share love. She tried to redeem her dad, rescue her mom, feed the hungry, tend the dying, and in all ways serve anyone within reach as Christ would have done. Go Brigid!
My recommendation is for Megan to receive the Golden Halo of Bloggers for these two fantastic write-ups and for so beautully shepherding both these amazing women through the bracket! I read today's essay about Brigid and thought, "Of course I'll vote Brigid", having also been swayed by Susan B.'s comment. Then I read Egeria's and thought, "On the other hand, of course I must vote for Egeria!" I ended my dilemma by choosing the one who can stand up best to St. Francis! Raising a glass of beer -um, coffee since it's too early for spirits - this morning to Brigid! (BTW, Megan, the story of your ordination is delightful!)
risking all sorts of censure — too early for spirits? The things you say!
LM needs! a LIKE button.
I'm ready to lift s mug of brew now, Donna! Here's to Brigid!
Here's to us all!
I vote for Egeria. I admire her courage, and I thank her for recording what led to our beautiful liturgy today!
I am glad the writeup for brigid didn't have much to do with beer, it cheapens her ministry. I was inspired by brigid's selflessness and committment to the people under her, a servant first mentality is something all leaders should have, and certainly all those emulating jesus' ministry.
What a choice. I want to vote for Egeria because of who she was and because of her foundation, but Brigid is such an example of holy love, and the poems of the early Irish church are so beautiful and inspiring- and her well still works. I have to vote for Brigid.
We need more Egerias, curious people who explore the world with an open mind and a kind heart.
It is Holy Week and Egeria has my vote.
I don't know how much of my decision making process is driven by the actual lives of the saints or the write ups of their lives. I suspect it is driven by the writing, so kudos to Megan for these bios. As has been noted, both are already winners, both already have their eternal rewards, so I am choosing my favorite. This morning it goes to Brigid, for the hostess she was, feeding and caring for the poor around her, giving away all her possessions, concerned with the whole body of Christ. Once again I am inspired to drink in the beautiful mystery of our liturgy, while my every day life is inspired to do more for the poor in my community. Thank you for this Lenten inspiration.
This is really tough. Both are wonderful saints. But if I have to pick one, which I have too, I'm going with Bridgid. My grandmother and my mother would be pleased with that.
The more I read about (and by) Egeria, the more intrigued I have been. My Episcopal 101 class read some of her descriptions of Holy Week in Jerusalem as we prepared for Holy Week at St. Thomas.
Our parish is sending pilgrims to Jerusalem in late October, so I know many people are also pondering that holy place as they make their plans.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and vote for Egeria!
Brigid blessed Ireland, Egeria the whole church, then and now. Thanks, Egeria!
Although active in church archives and history, I consider simply recording activity less saintly than living it. Egeria walked farther and left more tangible legacy, but Bridgid gave them food and drink, which I consider more saintly.
Both women are very worthy of attaining their special place in the Faithful Four. Both certainly praised God though their character, kindness towards others, and in Brigid’s case, use of natural resources. I am voting for Egeria because of her appreciation of the differences. She took the time to study the different customs and rituals and found the unique beauty in the variation.
Today's a toughie. I love them both! Sadly, both cannot win. St. Brigid of Kildare it is.
I do love Brigid's story, and have voted for her in previous rounds. I won't be at all disappointed if she is in the final.
But I cast my vote for Egeria and her "questing love," and her pilgrim's heart.
This is SO hard and tomorrow will be worse, I know. As a journalist I voted for Egeria before, but as a person of Irish descent who doesn't particularly like beer but likes to make sure no one goes away hungry, I voted, this time, for Bridgid. I'm sorry, Egeria, and I will surrender my membership in Women in Communications if you think I should.
I named my daughter Brigid for a number of reasons (bathtubs of beer was good enough for my husband!) so this was an easy choice!
Brigid was certainly faithful and showed the kind of loving care for her people to which we should all aspire - and I am part Irish, but...
Egeria has been my choice all the way, and I cannot leave her now. I am ever so grateful for her foresight in recording Holy Week liturgy so that, all these many centuries later, we observe this week around the world, across cultures and languages, in a way that links us to all who have gone before and all who will come after. I am humbly thankful for Egeria's life and so cast my vote for her.
Well said. I voted for Egeria and will be thinking of her as I go through Holy Week and her words that connect us through the ages. Thank you Megan for the wonderful write-ups.
Two awesome women, and one awesome writer. Have to give a shout out to Megan, who so beautifully extolled the virtues of both saints.
It's Egeria for me, although I treasure my visit to Bridgit's well. It is Holy Week and as a lay liturgist, I am so appreciative of Egeria's contribution to our knowledge of early observances of this unique and spiritual week. I am so disappointed the voting seems to be moving away from her. Please bring her back if she loses in this round!
I'm voting for Egeria, but if I had to bet, suspect it will be Francis and Brigid. Two great saints, to be sure, but how predictable and (in my opinion,) boring, Lent Madders.
I, too wish we had less "famous" saints in the final round. Boring may be a good word. I have fallen in love with Egeria and want her to receive her due!
If it helps, I didn't know anything about Brigid before this; she's completely new to me. (She's not on the BCP sanctoral calendar, either, BTW.)
I also didn't know anything about Brigid before Lent Madness. To me, Brigid is utterly a revelation and an inspiration. I am completely swept away by her story. And, this is coming from a trained historian who has done field work, oral history, and participant observation far from home, who honors Egeria. Certainly I will be consciously thankful for Egeria's work as I go through the Holy Week liturgies. And yet: Brigid's power of example illumines my way irresistibly.
It's a beautiful story, I agree!
How sad that you learned nothing new and were uninspired by these souls. I certainly have grown through the CB's writing and many of the comments and a grateful to have had the experience.
Agreed.
Boring — You really wouldn't want to know what I told my kids both my own and in my classes when I heard "I'm bored".
Being Irish I had to vote for Brigid.
Thank you, Megan, for telling the stories of two amazing women who reached out in different ways in their own times. As a student of Education for Ministry, I'm going with Egeria and her record of the very early church, to say nothing of the "respect and love for the different people and practices she encountered."
Though I wouldn't be sad if Bridgid wins.
Go EfM!!
St. Brigid: the archetype of radical hospitality and love for one's community - and she had a very large vision of who was included in her community! And, the first woman bishop. Versus a travel writer. St Brigid all the way!
I vote for Brigid. I wore a pendant of her when I carried my daughter. I really feel her presence helped the two of us through a difficult pregnancy.
I've tried in voting to cast my ballot for the person whose impact for good has been wider and more lasting. Not always easy in these LM matchups! But today, given Egeria's remarkable contributions to liturgy down through the ages, through hundreds of generations of worshipping Christian people, the choice seems obvious.
Because I am teaching about hunger and the wise and loving use of resources for the hungry, I had to go with Brigid.