Let's just state right off the bat that there is no room for nepotism in Lent Madness. Saints related to members of the Supreme Executive Committee are ineligible to compete for the Golden Halo.
Therefore, just because Francis of Assisi won the coveted Golden Halo last year, there was no funny business going on that led to Clare of Assisi's inclusion this year. The SEC was not coerced by the Assisi mafia. In fact, Clare only made it into the bracket by winning a play-in round against Chad of Lichfield held during the Episcopal Church's General Convention last summer.
Anyway, today Clare faces off against Denis. Please don't lose your head over this battle.
Yesterday, in a VERY tight contest, Columba eked out a victory over Kateri Tekakwitha 51% to 49% in the closest battle to date in Lent Madness 2016. Columba will face Meister Eckhart in the Saintly Sixteen. Sadly, we also saw our first case of voter fraud. At 11:02 pm EST, two addresses, in Vermillion, SD and Medford, OR were blocked. 125 votes for Kateri Tekakwitha were recorded from these two locations, and we do not know of groups participating in Lent Madness in those cities. Not enough votes were cast to affect the outcome, but we have blocked the addresses to prevent further votes. Remember, vote only once per person or be cast into the outer darkness of Lent Madness! Also, Jesus does not approve of cheating.
And finally, if you missed yesterday's edition of Monday Madness, Tim and Scott share suggestions on how to be a Lent Madness evangelist in your congregation. Using a Lent Madness mug in place of a chalice may or may not be one of their tips.
Clare
Often overshadowed by her friend Francis, Clare was one of the most dedicated followers of Saint Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi (and 2015 Golden Halo winner). Clare has been called a clear mirror of a life lived in deep spirituality, dedicated wholly to Christ, embracing the charisms of poverty, cloistered contemplation, and devotion.
Like Francis, Clare was born into a wealthy family in the late twelfth century. She led a life of prayer and devotion from early childhood. Sometime before 1212, Clare heard Francis preach. Soon after, her uncle arranged a marriage for her, and Clare fled to Francis, asking his advice. He implored her to live a life dedicated to Christ. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare began her contemplative life in a Benedictine house.
Her father came to the convent to retrieve her and (legend says) she clung to the altar so fiercely that the heavy altar cloths were torn. Clare, however gentle she is portrayed in prayer and devotion, was defiant in her dedication to the contemplative life. She eventually settled in the church of San Damiano, where she and other women became known as the Poor Ladies of Assisi. Clare served as their abbess, the head of the abbey.
Francis’s male followers were itinerant preachers; Clare and the sisters lived a cloistered life of prayer and poverty. For Clare, poverty was foundational to the order’s rule and preserved the purity of the Franciscan heritage. Clare saw poverty as a charism, a gift of the Holy Spirit, which offered the narrow way to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Clare, dedicated to ensuring the rule of total poverty, lobbied throughout her life for papal approval to ensure the Poor Clare’s Rule of Life. In 1253, Clare received news that the pope sanctioned the Rule. Two days later, she died.
Collect for Clare
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Denis
We know very little about Denis, a third-century missionary, martyr, and bishop of Paris. The most famous of his feats is also the most improbable: After being decapitated on Paris’ highest hill (today known as Montmartre), he reportedly picked up his own head and carried it six miles, preaching repentance the entire way. This makes Denis one of about fifty cephalophores— saints who are traditionally depicted carrying their heads in their own hands.
Denis’s story is shot through with myth and mystery. Because his name may have originally been Dionysius, he is sometimes confused with Dionysius the Areopagite, a judge converted by the apostle Paul (Acts 17:34). However, Denis is believed to have been a missionary sent by Pope Fabian to evangelize the Romans living in Lutetia (today’s Paris) along with his two inseparable companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius. The three of them may have settled on the island in the river Seine where Notre Dame was later erected.
In the year 250, the emperor Decius issued an edict ordering everyone in the empire to burn incense to the Roman gods and the emperor. Some Christians complied; others went into hiding, and some openly refused to perform the sacrifice. Denis, along with Rusticus and Eleutherius, may have been among those who refused and were executed. Or maybe they were executed because of their success at converting people to Christianity. Allegedly, Montmartre, the traditional place of their martyrdom, comes from the Latin expression Mons Martyrum (Martyr’s Hill); some reject this etymology as fanciful.
According to tradition, Denis collapsed after hiking (while carrying his head in his hands) some six miles north of downtown Paris. In the fifth or sixth century, his final resting place became a shrine, and a chapel was built. During the twelfth century, the impressive Saint Denis Basilica was erected on the spot.
Denis is the patron of Paris, and his basilica is often the burial place for France’s royalty. In the Roman Catholic tradition, he is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers—saints whose intercession is believed to be particularly effective against specific diseases. Denis’s special charism is to help people suffering from headaches.
Collect for Denis
Almighty God, we remember before you the life and ministry of your servant Denis, who even in the most extreme of circumstances, continued to preach the good news of your redemption and love. Grant us faithful companions on our journey to you, that we may encourage each other in our earthly pilgrimage with your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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258 comments on “Clare vs. Denis”
Saints Oswald and Cuthbert have a special place for me, and I'm glad to learn more about the depiction of saints -- such as Denis -- holding severed heads. I did some investigating, and found this: "Cephalophory is, perhaps, one of the most dramatic examples of a saint’s triumph over death." (from http://reliquarian.com/2014/11/11/the-head-carriers-headless-saints-from-saint-denis-to-saint-nicasius/) As Lent Madness so clearly demonstrates, saints do survive after death and are in the midst of us. Thank you to the SEC for these daily challenges to learn and contemplate.
Thanks for finding "cephalophory" in a quotation. I made it up in writing my post and just hoped I was right. Much relieved.
I do live in Medford, OR and there are other Episcopalians living here too. Some of us attend St Mark's Medford and others attend Trinity Ashland. Trinity is participating in the Lent Madness [we have the poster and fill in the brackets accordingly in the parish hall]. I have only cast one vote for each bracket since competition began for the record. I wouldn't even know HOW to cast a vote twice and nor would I wish to. Thanks for the heads up about this situation all the same. May the brackets continue! I love Lent Madness!!!
Oliver, I totally agree with your choice today, and for good reason. First, I thought the drawing of Denis was GROSS and silly. I think there should be a rule against walking around carrying your head. Second, I greatly admire Claire for her personal choice in taking and following through with her vow of poverty.
Denis wins for me! Anyone who can walk six miles carrying his own head sure gets my vote!
Clare, Clare, Clare, even though this French teacher's very favorite sacred place in Paris is the Basilique St. Denis. Clare gave up everything to live a cloistered life of poverty to set an example for is all.
Again, a tough choice. I admire Clare and her determination to live out her calling. As someone who has suffered from headaches, and whose mother has terrible issues with migraines, I am appreciative of the fact that Denis is seen to be effective in helping people with headaches. But as a Presbyterian I have no experience with asking the saints to intercede on my behalf - that whole "priesthood of all believers" thing. And I'm with the person who says that the whole carrying his head thing just seems weird (although I agree that the Kitsch possibilities are great). So I'm voting for Clare.
Whoa, whoa, the priesthood of all believers means that all of us are priests, not just those ordained as such. I associate it with Luther (could be mistaken about that), but it's certainly a prominent current in Anglican theology. Don't know how it fits into Presnyterianism, but I'd expect you folks to be sympathetic.
The intercession of saints is another thing entirely and isn't In the Anglican mainstream, though a number of Anglicans accept it. One of the many optional extras in a belief system whose dogma stops at the Creeds.
Voting for Denis. Carrying his own head for six miles deserves some sort of recognition!
Claire without a doubt.
Clare is pretty great, but I have to embrace the weird on this one! The image alone! What fun!
Denis is an attractive candidate, not least because of his beautiful basilica, generally considered to be the first Gothic church. (Think of that! The Gothic arch, almost synonymous with church in the minds of many of us, began at St-Denis; and the very first of them, with some gorgeous stained glass, can still be see, conveniently located at the end of a Paris Métro line.). Then, too, there's the cephalophory, if you like that sort of thing: personally the thought of it gives me a headache which Denis is fortunately always available to cure.
Unluckily for him, however, Denis is out of his league in this matchup, reminiscent of an exhibition game between the Boston and Pawtucket Red Sox. Not to minimize the accomplishment of evangelizing Paris, but Clare's career speaks for itself in both her earthly life and the shaft of light that Since her death has shone down the centuries to our own time. Her own 13th-Century early Gothic basilica in Assisi, though not an architectural milestone, isn't exactly shabby either.
Yes, Davis, but Pawsox may one day grow up to be Red Sox. I still voted for Clare
No contest today, or even much internal discussion. I generally tend not to believe unbelievable mythology, so Denis has very little attraction to me. St Clare, on the other hand, was a strong women in a time when being strong was greatly disapproved of for women, and her life set an example for others for the comtemplative life. She greatly advocated for poverty, which helps us see life in such a different perspective, as I know from working a little with people in Honduras. Faith grows stronger when we know we can not trust ourselves or our money to provide what we need. We must depend on God more. Clare has a solid foundation to build upon.
Ah, but you believe the stories about Jesus--walking on water, water into wine, healing the lame, raising the dead?
I am voting for Denis because he has demonstrated how to lose your head for Christ!!
Had to go with St. Clare - she admired and followed St. Francis and listened to his advise to follow her heart, live her life as God was leading her and to give up worldly wealth to have a greater wealth - God's peace and love. Denis carried his head and relieves headaches - gotta love him too! Clare though, clung to an alter so tightly and I would imagine made quite the scene that day her Uncle tried to impose his will on her - imagine that scene...her on the floor holding tight, the Uncle pulling her feet while sweating profusely, her screaming while he's pulling her feet trying to get her loose!!! Quite dramatic!
But of course -- She was Italian!
Haha, Davis! Love. It!
I had to go with Denis. He collapsed after hiking and I could relate. That is how I often feel after hiking - and I don't even have the additional burden of carrying my head in my hands.
Today I'm embracing the madness and going for the fun factor - if having one's head cut off can be called fun. Rude or not, I laughed out loud at the drawing of Denis so daintily stepping along with his head. I have loved Clare since childhood - but also get migraines, love Paris, and like learning new words. Denis!
Yes! Embrace the madness!!
I want to be a cephalophore when I grow up. But since I am not there yet, I will settle for cutting hair. And, for many reasons, Clare's devotion and perseverance gain my vote today.
and Oliver, I am way more than 8 years old, and still not grown up. Stay young forever!
Clare. No contest there.
And to the SEC: why not sell chalices to advertise Lent Madness?
He carried his chopped off head for 6 miles??!! Well done; hard not to be both totally impressed and totally grossed out. Plus, I love Montmartre.
I knew I was voting for Denis as soon as I saw the picture of him carrying his own head - complete with his miter still firmly in place. And to carry it six miles! I can't walk that far with my head still attached.
I voted for Denis because he was losing the competition as well as his head.
But Clare is certainly worthy of going on to the next round.
St. Denis walking around carrying his head, all I could think of is "...It's just a flesh wound!!" and does anyone even know how to pronounce 'cephalophore' (maybe if I try it in French?). Now, if you are voting because of the kitsch factor --Clare has plenty of good stuff, especially as patron saint of television. check out http://www.amazon.com/St-Clare-Patron-Saint-Television/dp/B000GPYIIE
Clare it is --though I do have a headache!
It is hard to vote against someone who is pictured carrying their own head. Also hard to vote against the witty collect " Denis, who even in the most extreme of circumstances, continued to preach the good news ..." Effective use of understatement that!
But in the end, Clare, simple, poor, devoted. A saint to emulate in these days. She got my vote.
Yes, this is the first time I've laughed out loud at a collect. And great word play, all you clever responders.
One of the 14 Holy Helpers, St. Denis it is!
I'm so conflicted-- I spent a wonderful day visiting the Basilique St. Denis with my daughter Clare a few years ago. The architecture! The history! And I carry a St. Denis keychain... I guess my vote needs to go to him, but I won't be at all upset if he loses--St Clare is an old favorite of mine.
Carrying your own head for six miles seems more than a little fanciful .... Clare at least seems real!
See my response to Leane above: What seems real about walking on water or raising the dead--yet we believe that, non?
I had to vote for Denis because my sister has suffered with migraines all of her life and I didn't know there was a saint for headaches.
I voted for Clare. with a comfy life and standing set aside, she chose the better. Besides, it is beyond probable that Denis carried his head for about six miles, preachng all the way. Kind of devalues good works that he may have done. And it is hard to vision his lopped of head used as an icon on headache relief medications.
Okay, that picture of Saint Denis gave me a fright and upon seeing the word "cephalophore" I pictured a cephalopod (they are okay) and then a "cephalophage"--which may be some kind of techno-thing in reality but in my mind it turned up as a yucky zombie kind of creature from a horror movie...and I chose to vote for Clare because I like that "voluntary poverty" idea IF and WHEN it is voluntary and because she made her own decision!
I voted for Clare because she successfully maintained that women religious should be able to determine their own rule of life and not be required to live a rule that men thought was better for them. She is an early feminist leader.
What to do? I love Clare and I love Assisi. I know her and have admired her for years. But Denis carried his own head for 6 miles - I mean, 6 miles is already a pretty long walk, even with an attached head. I know that my students are going to think that Denis was the coolest guy ever. But then...there's Clare and her devotion and persistence. And Assisi. I'm going to have to come back later to vote.
I had to go with Denis, Patron Saint of Paris. Just my mind's image of him walking down the road, head in hands was enough, although, to some it may sound like a Tim Burton movie.