2014 Golden Halo Winner Charles Wesley prepares to welcome this year's saintly champion.
We embarked upon this Lent Madness journey over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday.” With your help we have whittled the field of 32 saints down to two: Francis of Assisi and Brigid of Kildare. Who will win the coveted Golden Halo of Lent Madness 2015? Only 24 hours and your voting participation will reveal this holy mystery.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable saintly folks along the way. Perhaps you learned about some saints you’d never heard of or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.
In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we’ve all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned a few things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and had a lot fun along the way.
Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our stellar Celebrity Bloggers to whom we offer sincere gratitude: Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, David Creech, Laura Darling, Neva Rae Fox, Nancy Frausto, Robert Hendrickson, Maria Kane, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his stellar behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily -- in his inimitable style. And to our Resident Foodie, Maria Nolletti Ross, whose recipes in the Saintly Scorecard quite literally helped spice things up. You all rock! And we're all grateful for your good writing, good humor, and adhering to most, if not all, of the SEC-imposed deadlines.
Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling out brackets, talking about saints at coffee hour, liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
But enough gratitude. We have a Golden Halo to award! As with all the matchups, the polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced right here at 8:00 am Eastern Time on Maundy Thursday. At this point, everything about these two worthy saints has been said (though if you need some refreshers, click on the Bracket tab). We have simply asked our two remaining celebrity bloggers, Laurie Brock (Francis) and Megan Castellan (Brigid) to provide us with one image and one quote.
The rest is up to you, the Lent Madness voting public. So go do your thing! And thanks for playing along this year -- we're delighted you joined us for the journey.
Francis of Assisi
Stigmatization of St. Francis by Carducho
Lord God, living and true.
You are love, charity.
You are wisdom; You are humility; You are patience;
You are beauty; You are meekness; You are security;
You are inner peace; You are joy; You are our hope and joy;
You are justice; You are moderation; You are all our riches;
You are our enough…
You are all our sweetness,
You are our eternal life:
Great and wonderful Lord,
God almighty, Merciful Saviour.
Amen.
From ‘Praises of God’ in a letter to Brother Leo
Brigid of Kildare
I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.
I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts.
UPDATE: The Supreme Executive Committee is serious about one person, one vote. We have discovered some cheating, that is, people who are voting multiple times from one location. As many as 121 votes have been cast from one place. To keep the race fair, we are removing 201 votes from Brigid, and 46 votes are under suspicion. The excessive voting was from Santa Clara, CA; Washington, DC; Lawrenceville, GA; Baltimore, MD; and Fort Washington, MD. If we discover that some of these votes were legitimate we will re-add the votes to the total. For now, expect the total number of votes for Brigid to decrease around 6:45 p.m. EST.
If you want your saint to win, get others to vote. Do not cast several votes yourself!
Vote!
[poll id="139"]
387 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Francis of Assisi vs. Brigid of Kildare”
I first heard of Lent Madness last year and was totally intrigued. But did not know how to participate. Then we moved to Dallas and Scott Gunn came to preach. We got the Saintly Scorecard and the rest is history! Every morning at 7:01 CDT my husband and I open the email from Lent Madness, read the Celebrity information, discuss our voting preferences. We are going to SO miss wonderful, exciting, joyful activity! It's made Lent much more full and complete. Thanks, Tim and Scott! How much fun to be an Episcopalian!
So very true! From another Sally with hugs....
This may be the toughest match-up yet. I'm girding my loins to vote....
Brigid, because "I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts" means all of the loved ones, two and four legged, will be gathered there. It is a a two-fer, Brigid and Francis at the same time.
A Brigid mug for me if she wins!
Perhaps, if Francis wins, Brigid should be brought back next year or at least the year after. I, too, would like to see her win the golden halo.
This is my first Lent Madness and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to all, including the humorous and wise participants. I will miss this morning fun. And I've learned lots.
I have intended to vote for Francis all along, but after reading Brigid's prayer and some of the comments, I've decided to go with her, too. Easter blessings, all!
So, it came down to the Italian v. the Irish in an Anglican contest.
Thank you, SEC, celebrity bloggers, and everyone whose votes and comments have helped make LM such an enriching and fun experience! I voted for Frances, but I think I will be happy with either outcome.
Francis would be the first to support the underdog so my vote is for Brigid
I have surprised myself by voting for Brigid! But how could I not:
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I, too, would like all those things.
My first Lent Madness, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to all who make it possible, for the education and enlightenment, for the good humor. May everyone have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
As Gaeilge: Vóta do Naomh Bríd, an idéalach na hÉireann fáilteachais. Cad naomh iontach! Grámhar, a thabhairt, atruacha, agus cócaireacht maith agus bríbhéir beorach! Brigid!
(In English: Vote for Saint Brigid, the Irish ideal of hospitality. What a great saint! Loving, giving, compassionate, and a good cook and brewer of beer! Brigid!)
Yay, Oliver! Thanks for being involved with this--you lightened our hearts and gave us lots of reasons to vote...and today is no different. Grilled cheese sandwiches, indeed.
SEC, Celeb Bloggers, Bracket Czar, you have done great work this year. Well done! Especially the videos ... thanks very much for all the hard work. I love how the last day ends in prayers. Great choice!
How could I vote against the impassioned plea to our clergy after our reaffirmation of ordination vows by our celebrity blogger.
While my Irish heritage pushes me toward Brigid I must remember the teachings of Cuthbert Vs. Bede ( Oh Bede If you hadn't been such a great author, sorry digressing over a busted bracket ) Sea Otters make one saintly and Francis is all about sea otters therefore there is only one choice. Saint Francis !!!!! Happy Easter to all !!!!
This Lent Madness, and the community that's developed because of it, has been such a joy. It's been great to read people's comments. Thank you SEC! Your work has fed my spirit and my mind!
As for voting today, it had to be Lady Brigid. Especially after reading today's prayer! I've always loved both of these saints, but felt moved to vote for her.
I'll buy a mug no matter who wins, and I agree that Pope Francis would get a kick out of a Francis mug. I bet he'll like Lent Madness too!
Have a Blessed Easter everyone!
When visiting Ireland, land of some of my ancestors, the spiritual dimension of the land was a constant, palpable presence. Holy wells were not merely places of idle superstition, but places of devotion -- thin places.
Brigid (Brig) is a figure that predates Christianity. As such the figure of Saint Brigid can be said to be even bigger than your garden variety saint. Learn more (and it's really fascinating) at
http://celticmythpodshow.com/blog/brighid-what-do-we-really-know-by-francine-nicholson/
Bridget for me!
And coffee mug, with milk of course, or beer stein -- make mine a dark stout, either will do fine.
Francis is not to be trifled with, stigamata and all.
BUT Bridget is for today, and tomorrow.
With others, I offer thanks to the SEC and bloggers. Job well done. Till next year.
I want to thank the SEC and the writers for presenting us every Lent with a great cloud of witnesses whose lives inspire, enrich and inform us on our spiritual journeys. As important, thanks for the fun and the community! I'm about to have LMW!
Let me add my thanks to everyone who contributed to Lent Madness, I too am already worrying about LMW. Today features two saints that I have voted for each time but I am a veterinarian and my final vote must go to Francis. If he wins perhaps I will have a beer in my Lent Madness mug in honor of Brigid.
I attended St. Brigid grammar school in San Francisco many, many years ago. As much as I have always been touched by St. Francis, I would be grateful if Brigid became more well known. Deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in this Lent Madness, and to all those who comments were so affable. Happy Easter, see you next year, God willing!
Thank you SEC and Lent Madness--I voted today with tears in my eyes. The prayers are beautiful.
As a member of St. Brigid of Kildare Episcopal Church I voted for Brigid! Go Brigid! However I cheered Francis all the way to the Golden Halo round too. What a pair to have to choose from. We can't loose.
Thank you Scott and Timfor this wonderfully informative and "fun" Lent. I've enjoyed every day of it!
I voted for Francis today as I have since the first round. I have such a soft spot in my heart for animals and have to say thank you to Francis for bringing to light the care of all God's creatures.
Yikes! I don't know who to vote for. Both have ample qualifications for the golden halo. I guess I'll think of my cats, Fluellen & Ray, and vote for Francis. Then I'll go out and have a beer for Brigid as well.
Francis lost this once to Mary Magdalene. I love Brigid, but no way should Francis lose twice.
Well, we can't lose on this one --- except that we need 2 halos this year!!
This will be a close one. I love them both and such lovely quotes for each. St. Francis for the Golden Halo! I have so enjoyed this Lenten journey. See y'all next year.
I love both saints and will be happy whichever one wins. In the end, though, I voted for Francis-- not because (as one commenter put it recently) I am a sentimental woman with too many cats (well, only two, but they are Siamese...) but because Francis worked so hard to reform the institutional church. That makes for a less exciting story than, say, Brigid's miraculous cloak or his stigmata, but having worked in a big bureaucracy for decades, I appreciate the work and dedication it takes to try and reform the entrenched ways and resistance to change of a powerful institution. Francis left a legacy in his personal example, in his teachings, and in the three orders he founded that, more than seven and a half centuries later, keeps calling Christian churches back to the basic teachings of the Gospel.
Thanks to the SEC, the celebrity bloggers, the bracket czar, the resident foodie, and all the commentators for a wonderful Lent Madness. It's been informative, inspiring, and lots of fun!
I love St. Francis, but his presence here is like that of Daniel Day-Lewis at the Oscars -- practically a foregone conclusion. I think a "new" kid deserves a shot at the halo. Ergo, my vote for St. B of Kildare....
Haha! Or Meryl Streep!
Well Molly was certainly a "new kid" as were several others.
Easter Sunday is my daughter's birthday. This little Brigid will be 2. I can think of no better way to honor her namesake than by voting for a strong, fiery, and holy woman like Brigid of Kildare. I named her after Brigid for a reason!
Yes!! My little Bridget is almost six… I loved telling her last night that her saint made it to the final round!