Today Francis of Assisi takes on Cecilia and Lent Madness voters everywhere are forced to choose between animals and music. Okay, that's just the superficial choice. It's really a choice between your childhood rabbit and your mother who sang in the church choir. The winner will face Thecla in the Elate Eight, thereby finalizing the first matchup of the next round.
Yesterday Frederick Douglass solidly defeated Juan Diego 60% to 40% to advance. Click here to see the fully updated bracket (scroll down for links to all the previous matchups including Francis' first round victory over John Wycliffe and Cecilia's defeat of Balthazar).
We also gave you an opportunity to vote (it's what we're all good at!) for 2013 Golden Halo winner Frances Perkins to appear on the $20 bill. And, no, the SEC hasn't started printing its own purple money -- this is an initiative of the U.S. Treasury Department.
Francis of Assisi
The Francis of ideas is often quite different from his actual life, ministry, and words. We envision him as a quiet man surrounded by animals who founded a gentle monastic order. In reality, Francis lived his life with a holy blend of rashness, mysticism, and devotion many modern Christians would call extreme.
G.K. Chesterton notes the Bishop of Assisi, when visiting the Order and seeing them without comforts, without possessions, eating anything they could get, and sleeping on the ground, was greatly disturbed. Francis met the Bishop’s concerns with a stunning in-your-face-ness (bishops were often called upon to support military engagements) by saying, 'If we had any possessions, we should need weapons and laws to defend them.”
Francis wasn’t even his baptismal name; Giovanni was. Francis, the 12th century version of “Frenchy,” was given to him allegedly because Francis was passionate about French Troubadour poetry. While Francis did write in poetic style, he didn’t write the poetic "Prayer of St. Francis." He did, however, write this prayer of faithful hope:
Almighty, eternal, and merciful God,
grant us in our misery the grace
to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do,
and always
to desire what pleases You.
Francis is often quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” And while Francis did preach the Gospel in word and deed, no record attributes this quote to him. In fact, Francis was a prolific preacher to all creation. He is recorded in Little Flowers of St. Francis as preaching to the birds…using words. The anonymous writer tells: “Francis began to preach. He ordered the swallows, who were calling, to keep silence until he had finished; and the swallows obeyed his voice.”
Francis asked his companions to wait while he went to “preach to my little sisters the birds’; and entering into the field, he began to preach to the birds which were on the ground, and suddenly all those also on the trees came round him, and all listened while St Francis preached to them, and did not fly away until he had given them his blessing.”
In 1224, Francis was engaged in deep prayer when he received the Stigmata. Between the Stigmata and the physical toll from a life of denial, Francis retired to San Damiano, where he composed one of his most famous prayers, The Canticle of Brother Sun, considered the first poem written in the Italian language. Its words celebrate creation -- all creation. We read in it, “No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures.”
Chesterton writes of Francis: “His life was one riot of rash vows; of rash vows that turned out right.”
We give thanks for a man whose real life of rashness, mysticism, and devotion still gives us an example of a life lived in Christ’s love.
Cecilia
Cecilia is the patron saint of singers, musicians, organists, and poets. While witnessing the deaths of her husband and brother-in-law, it is believed that she was singing praises to the Lord during her own martyrdom in Rome in 280 AD.
The songs that Cecilia sang while she was being martyred have been lost to the ages. However, the many poems and songs written and performed in her honor remain great contributions to the literary and music world, and are firmly planted in society’s juke box over the centuries.
Henry Purcell’s 1692 “Hail! Bright Cecilia,” also known as “Ode to St. Cecilia,” has a text by Nicholas Brady:
Hail! Bright Cecilia, Hail to thee! Great Patroness of Us and Harmony! Who, whilst among the Choir above Thou dost thy former Skill improve, With Rapture of Delight dost see Thy Favourite Art Make up a Part Of infinite Felicity. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Hail to thee! Great Patroness of Us and Harmony!
Equally famous is Georg Friedrich Händel’s “An Ode For St. Cecilia’s Day,” from 1739. With words by Newburgh Hamilton:
But bright Cecilia raised the wonder high'r: When to her organ, vocal breath was giv'n, An angel heard, and straight appear'd, Mistaking earth for Heav'n.
In 1941, at the beginning of World War II, the Andrews Sisters sang, in full harmony, “The Shrine of St. Cecilia”:
Our home is a shambles, all I treasured has gone
The town seems deserted, everyone's so forlorn
A storm came from up above but somehow it missed
The shrine of Saint CeciliaI kneel in my solitude and silently pray
That heaven will protect you, dear, and there'll come a day
The storm will be over and that we'll meet again
At the shrine of Saint Cecilia
Benjamin Britten’s famous “Hymn to St Cecilia” was sparked by many reasons, among them that he was born on St Cecilia's day. Written in 1942 Britten’s piece is based on the renowned poet W. H. Auden’s Hymn to St. Cecilia:
Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire.
It is reported that Paul Simon claims his famous “Cecilia” refers to our saint, in her role as muse:
Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart , You’re shaking my confidence daily. Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees, I’m begging you please to come home .
Simon refers to Cecilia in another of his songs, “The Coast”:
A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia.
In 1966, Michael Hurd composed "A Hymn to Saint Cecilia" based on John Dryden's 1687 visually stirring poem, A Song for St. Cecilia's Day:
Orpheus could lead the savage race;
And trees unrooted left their place,
Sequacious of the lyre;
But bright Cecilia rais'd the wonder higher:
When to her organ vocal breath was given,
An angel heard, and straight appear'd
Mistaking Earth for Heaven.
There are numerous others through the ages who have written and composed pieces to St. Cecilia. Based on poems and music, whether old and modern, there’s no way around it – Cecilia is one popular gal!
Vote!
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135 comments on “Francis of Assisi vs. Cecilia”
My Uncle Francis had a daughter, Cecilia, not to be confused with my other cousin Cecelia. What to do, what to do .... And I have stoles and vestments from Uncle Frank since he is in glory with Sts. Francis and Cecilia. Maybe I'll just go back to bed!
Has any Christian better exemplified Christ's devotion and emptiness of self before God than Francis? We all fall short in our effort to imitate Christ, but it is inspiring to know that Francis came awfully close. His example has resonated through the centuries. How deeply we need his spirit of Holy Poverty today.
In the first round I voted for Francis but not Cecilia. My reasoning today is to vote for the patron saint of music and all whom she has inspired through the ages.
St. Francis challenges us, while Cecilia inspires.
My vote goes with St. Francis, who cared for all of God's creation.
I found it hard to vote Francis because so much of his portion was taken up by things he didn't do. But I was pleased to hear that he was more than his reputation as far as action, so I went with him.
Well, it stands to reason that Francis is taking this vote by storm, but it will surprise no one who has read my previous comments that I'm going with Cecilia. Even if most of her hagiography is improbable, if not apocryphal, so were those of many saints in the early Church. And trivial as it may seem as an influence, one of my favorite lines is from Britten's setting of Auden's poem: "Come down and startle composing mortals." (By the way, Britten's birthday is Cecilia's feast day. Or did someone else mention that already?)
That said, Francis's Canticle of the sun ("Altissimu, onnipotente bon Signore, Tue so le laude") is also one of my faves.
Yes, I agree.
I share your Lenten headache, Antony.
I am an organist. A church organist. And while I appreciate all that St. Francis did, I must remain loyal to the "one who brung me" (as we say in the South). Cecilia stands for all of those who make music, which serves not only as a vehicle of praise to our Creator, but also as a comfort and encouragement to God's children, much like angels are.
Think I may have voted twice had difficulty getting vote to register. Sorry
Since my mother's singing (more like a joyful noise) has never been church choir-worthy and I never had a pet bunny as a child I had a hard time choosing today. I eventually decided to vote for Cecilia since she was a martyr.
That was a tough choice, but Francis for me.
Francis for Earth Day!
Toughest match-up yet between two of my favorite saints. As a lifelong choral singer who connects with the divine through music, I'm tempted to vote Cecilia. But the teachings of St. Francis have greater relevance in today's world where we do indeed rely on weapons to protect our "stuff." My husband's niece, who has an Episcopalian mother and Jewish father, attended a Franciscan pre-school and kindergarten. I was always impressed with the spirit of kindness and lack of competition (rare in affluent northern NJ) that characterized the teachers, kids and parents.
As an animal lover -- and I almost went to veterinary medical school, but human medicine was my first love -- I could go with St. Francis, but as a musician (singer) I still have to go with the patron saint of musicians and singers, St. Cecilia. And I was a fan of Simon and Garfunkel when I was growing up (still am ....). But this was a very tough choice!
From experience as choir mum of a Choir of Men and Boys at Christ Church Grosse Pointe, choosing music had its charm. I waffled. Your image of Saint Francis won me over.
I put down my guitar to read the bios and vote. A hard one. But, I went with the patron of Environmentalist and my Confirmation Saint Francis.
In beautiful St. David's (Austin) St. Cecelia's window is closest to the choir, and from where I sat in that choir for decades, her winsome smile was almost directly before me. Church music has always been a driving force in my spiritual life. However, I've loved St. Francis just as strongly, and today must go with him as a shining example in following in the steps of our Lord.
As much as I love St. Cecilia for the music she inspired, I love St. Francis more for the discipleship he inspires.
"It's really a choice between your childhood rabbit and your mother who sang in the choir."
I voted for Francis because no bunny ever gave me a spanking or made me listen to opera.
Coming from the Cathedral Church of St. john the Divine in NYC how could I not vote for Francis? Music gave me back my life, enriches my life, Simon and Garfunkel included, but there are those wonderful camels and eagles and tortoises and oxen who come down the aisle each St. Francis Day celebration and all of my own parade rescued ad loved animals. Francis all the way.
As a choir member and environmental scientist, I had to vote for St. Francis. I cannot think about him without hearing birds. I think even Cecilia would support bird song!
Voting for Cecelia for my mother who sang in the choir and for me who sings in church and also in a women's barbershop chorus. We go to regional competition next week. May St. Cecelia be with us!
Sorry to be a stickler, but the blogger for St. Cecilia attributed the same words to Newburgh Hamilton and to John Dryden. Dryden, by the way, is the correct attribution.
Just voted (one time only) but got several boldly noted WARNINGS as I did so. I'm thinking this means I might be flagged as a possible multiple voter. I hope not 'cause I'm certainly not. If you look at the results prior to voting does it register as though you have already voted? I do look prior to voting if only to cast a vote for the obviously losing candidate. I call that a grace vote. I figure the winning saint approves of that.
This should have been a finals match-up between Francis's style of discipleship and Cecilia's role as a symbol of music. Any later match-up for whoever wins is bound to be anticlimactic.
I also saw some high-powered cyber-warnings. There may be some site-related issues. (Note. I only voted once.)
Yes, I just got all the warnings too and I 've only voted once. I hope my vote counted!
I voted for Francis, but iI enjoyed the different song's for Cecilia.
Francis is due this year, Las
Vegas has good odds
I voted for Cecilia early this morning (and wouldn't dream of voting otherwise!). But if she had to be trounced, at least it was by Francis (for whom I would vote in nearly any other match-up).
"Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire!"
I also got the warning notice after voting once . . . although I can't vouch for what the cats did while we were out.
Francis--who inspired the sublime Assisi Basilica.