Only in Lent Madness would you find a monk battling a nun across the centuries. Yet this is exactly what we have today as Constance, a 19th century American nun takes on Dominic, a 12th century Spanish monk.
Yesterday Meister Eckhart squared off against Drogo, and, sadly, it appears that the Patron Saint of Coffee entered the Lent Dome after drinking some Sanka. Eckhart handed Drogo the cup of defeat 55% to 45% and will go on to face the winner of Columba vs. Kateri Tekawitha in the Saintly Sixteen.
It may surprise you, but Lent Madness is not the only way to learn about saints. If you're interested in online Christian formation opportunities, ChurchNext is a valuable resource, with online video classes on all sorts of topics. Click here for information about a four-part video series hosted by the SEC titled "Praying with the Saints with Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck." Here's the official blurb:
In the Christian faith, the lives of exemplary Christians have inspired countless people to live more selfless and charitable lives. While a the word 'saint' can apply to any believer, as Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck explain, the term can also be applied to those who have lived particularly faithful lives. In this class, they help us understand more deeply the roles of the saints in history - and in our lives. Their lectures include: 1) What Is a Saint? 2) A History 3) How Can We Be Saints? 4) How to Pray with the Saints.
Constance
In 1981 the Anglican Communion moved to recognize a group of Episcopal nuns, the Martyrs of Memphis (or Constance and her Companions) for their heroic efforts in caring for the victims of the yellow fever epidemic of 1878.
Constance and her sisters belonged to the Order of Saint Mary. Along with eight sisters, Constance moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to establish a school. Before the new school could open for the 1873 term, an epidemic of yellow fever hit the town. Over half of the city’s residents fled. Those who remained were poor, sick, and disenfranchised. Five thousand contracted the fever, and 2,000 died. Constance and her companions were the caregivers for sixty of these patients. Because of their amazing care, only eight of their patients died. As the epidemic subsided, the sisters were finally able to open their school in 1874.
Four years later, mosquitoes descended once again on the city. Once again, people fled Memphis. Constance (along with a number of other nuns—both Roman and Anglican—several priests, a handful of doctors, and a prostitute) remained in Memphis to care for the afflicted. Records from the 1878 epidemic indicate this strain of yellow fever infected around 90 percent of the city’s population. So many people died that Memphis lost its charter as a city. It took fourteen years for the population to recover from mass casualties.
Constance and her companions were victims of the epidemic. Constance died on September 8, 1878, and is buried in the historic Elmwood Cemetery. Her last words were, “Alleluia, Hosanna.”
Collect for Constance
We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and the dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dominic
Born in Castile, Spain, in 1170, Dominic entered the priesthood at Osma. In 1206, he accompanied his bishop on a visit to an area held by a group called Albigenses. Dominic and the bishop stayed at an Albigensian inn on the first night of their trip. Dominic didn’t get much sleep. Throughout the night, Dominic conversed with the innkeeper, and when the new day dawned, the innkeeper had been converted.
This conversion was a turning point in Dominic’s life. He felt called to study this sect’s beliefs and engage in public debates comparing Christianity to Albigensian beliefs. He and the bishop made some progress, but in 1207 the bishop died and the Albigensians murdered a papal legate, a personal representative of the pope. This murder prompted the pope to declare a crusade against the Albigenses.
One of the tenets of Dominic’s life was a commitment to living in poverty. He thought an obstacle to the conversion of heretics was the material wealth of some of the clergy. With the approval of the pope, the order founded by Dominic became officially known as the Order of Preachers. They became known informally as the Dominicans or Blackfriars (because of their black habits).
Dominic was offered a bishopric and refused three times, feeling called to his work as a preacher and teacher. He died in 1220 in Bologna, Italy, after returning from one of his many preaching missions.
Collect for Dominic
God of the prophets, you opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your Church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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249 comments on “Constance vs. Dominic”
Went with the monastic but Constance is also in my heart. Tough one today.
I pre-researched the wrong Constance! I thought it was Constantina, daughter of Constantine, who was apparently pretty terrible, so I had planned to vote for Dominic. The information today completely changed my tune, since I used to live in Memphis. Go Constance!
Very tough round again, SEC. But as much as I admire Dominic, I went with Constance, whom I didn't know about until now. That's the genius of Lent Madness - bringing to our attention the wondrous holy women and men who came before.
Constance reminds me of all those who stayed to nurse Ebola patients last year, risking ostracism and death.
Constance put her money where her mouth is. She got my vote. 😉
Oliver, you may be a young man of few words, but what words they are! "She stayed". To me that says it all! Constance it is! (And I am tearing up...)
I agree with Rev. Sylvia. I felt compelled to vote for a contemporary (more or less) American Anglican nun. I am facinated by her story and legacy.
Oliver is right. We needs more Constances in the world.
this was a slam dunk
The bio on Constance is so timely- and a reminder of the contributions of contemporary saints who are currently addressing the plight of those affected by Zika, Ebola, and more.
There may indeed be theological reasons for selecting Dominic but caring for the sick who are not only liable to die but most assuredly are going to take you along with them for that final ride is the act that will ensure victory for Constance and the Sisters. I would hope and pray to be blessed with that selfless kind of courage and that's the best I can say. Two epidemics? Some call it pressing your luck; we know it as trusting the grace of God. I also count the prostitute as one of Constance's companions...she did.
I've always enjoyed Lent Madness. Only here could I sit in the privileged position of choosing between the "better" of two saints when I don't deserve to be the footstool for any of them. But there's always a bunch I've never heard of too!
Thank you, John. It is certainly humbling to see the efforts others have made on behalf of their faith. What examples they are!
Nurses first!
Go Constance! Good job Anna Fitch Courie!!
Voted for Constance despite my 8/8 birthdate and having seen Dominic's impressive sarcophagus in Bologna.
No trouble deciding for Constance--what a story!--especially because I do love Sewanee and St. Mary's convent there; her portrait hangs in the vestibule. But Dominic had his pull, too: I was a member of the Blackfriars drama club (the oldest theatre group in Atlanta, I'm told) at Agnes Scott College back in the day, and a big fan of Soeur Sourire's #1 hit back in the 60's. Does anybody know of a postable link to "Dominique?" We should have it up today, as apparently we won't get a chance for any Dominican kitsch!
I do appreciate the works of the Sisters while in Memphis but I chose Dominic this time. His convictions for educating people about Christ is what bring about the works needed for caring of the sick like the good Sisters did. Dominic didn't just preach and convert folks but was a very austere person leading by example.
Deeds over words. Constance.
Once again the thoughtful arguments for each of the candidates, persuaded me to join the Constance camp
In an age when we need thoughtful dialogue more than ever, coupled with a commitment to preaching and sensitivity in sharing the gospel, lead me to vote for Dominic, which is not to say that I do not have huge respect for Constance and all her companions. Dominic was committed to poverty and turned down a bishopric three times, which, along with the words of the collect were enough for me today.
As a graduate of St. Mary's School in Peekskill NY, I have to go with our southern cousin Constance.
Hi, Mary.
I voted for Constance, although I usually prefer the Medieval saints. Both as a Christian and as a Physician, I especially honor those who placed their own lives at risk to help others, those suffering from a deadly and untreatable disease. To me, this is the highest fulfillment of both the Hippocratic Oath and Our Lord's commandment to love our neighbors.
I voted for Constance because Dominic's movement eventually birthed the dreadful error of the Inquisition. I know, I know - not Dominic's fault. But the heroic ministry of Constance and her companions far outweighs Dominic's authentic contributions to the Faith
I voted for Dominic. Constance is a true exemplar of faith in action. Faith, however, comes by hearing. Proclamation of the gospel leads to changed lives. Good deeds then follow. Constance acted on the faith she heard proclaimed. Dominic encouraged all people to proclaim the good news of God in Christ in both word and deed.
As a nurse and an associate of the Community of St Mary, Eastern Province, This was an easy decision. Constance( and her companions) all the way!!
All martyrs are special, but Constance was a martyr to her own compassion. No sadistic pagans, no diabolical devices, no ravening lions, just the purifying fire of faith. I hadn't known the story of Constance and her companions and am in awe.
Nothing against Dominic -- far from it -- but I have only one vote.
I think that Dominic should be Patron Saint of Food Banks as he sold all his disposable assets (including his annotated parchment copy of the Bible) so that he could aid his starving neighbours, apparently he said 'I will not study on dead skins when living skins are dying of hunger'. He was also brilliant at organisation and as well as the preaching Friars he established groups of women to educate the girls in the community.
Constance sounds like a very special person but I went with Dominic today.
I am beginning to wonder whether there are more women voters than men?
I've read about Constance & her companions in "Holy Women, Holy Men". I admire her & hope that I can emulate her if I am ever in a similar circumstance. Go Constance!
The Order of St. Mary's continues it's work and I celebrate that with thanksgiving..... and my ONE vote!