Where else can you find the winner of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize locked in battle with a 14th century mystic? We're guessing nowhere. Like, literally nowhere ever. In the history of ever. But here at Lent Madness, today finds Albert Schweitzer pitted against Julian of Norwich with a trip to the Faithful Four hanging in the balance.
Albert made it this far by defeating Lawrence and Methodius while Julian bested William Wilberforce and Roch. Again, if you're looking for information from the previous rounds, click the Bracket tab and scroll down.
Yesterday Sojourner Truth advanced to the Faithful Four by getting past Absalom Jones 64% to 34%. She'll face the winner of Columba vs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
But the big news involved the Lent Madness 2016 feel good story of the year as Oliver won the Mug Shot contest. You can read all about it here and check out Tim and Scott's favorite images of the many that were submitted.
Albert Schweitzer
When one enters the hallowed Saintly Kitsch Round for the first time it is an overwhelming experience. The rich history of this time honored tradition is not to be trifled with. How does one do justice to the saint and their tchotchkes?
One can begin with the low hanging fruit. Like the saint’s book that shaped historical Jesus scholarship for a century. Sure the title is boring but the cover of the second edition is kinda nifty.
There is also the solidly B movie that tells his story – Albert Schwietzer: Ein Leben für Afrika. Because, you know, Africa is a country.
But after this low hanging fruit things get tricky. First stop, Ebay. After a quick search of “Schweitzer” one finds this lovely “Old Violin Labeled Schweitzer.” Schweitzer loved music. This works.
Actually, it doesn’t. Nothing on Ebay works. Ebay is the worst. Time to fire up the
Googles. “Schweitzer kitsch.” No dice. “Schweitzer shwag.” Nein. Apparently one must direct their searches a bit.
“Schweitzer mug.” BINGO! Sip your favorite morning bevvy with Albert’s mug on your mug! I’m not gonna lie, though. I’m not sure how I feel about my lips being so close to that burly ‘stache. Seriously, it scares me. Who knows what lives in there.
While blindly Googling for Schweitzer mugs and t-shirts I kept running across mugs and shirts with cats on them. And I began to wonder, is Schweitzer German for cat or something? It turns out one of his more famous quotes reads, “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: m
usic and cats.” So here you go, those who need refuge from the miseries of life (I’m looking at you, Roch) – some cats playing music.
But that’s not really Schweitzer schwag. But this is! I present without comment (you have no idea how hard this is for me).
Save the best for last, or something like that. This came up while Googling 
“Schweitzer keychain” (is there nothing kitschier that a keychain?). The description of the item was “memorial plaque.” Looks to me like a keychain. I like how Schweitzer takes up ALL of southern Africa and the building takes up the rest. Because, you know, Africa is a country. Also the German flag ribbon really ties it together nicely. It does not ring of colonialism at all.
So there you have it. Kitsch worthy of Schweitzer’s mustache.
-- David Creech
Julian of Norwich
Julian of Norwich is not exactly the queen of kitsch. The austere life of a medieval anchoress doesn’t really lend itself to tchotchkes.
However, there are lovely icons depicting her, as well as many modern paintings that tend to capture her with her cat, as can be seen in this collage of Julian related items on Etsy.
In fact, there is some confusion about whether Julian is the patron saint of cats, or simply a devotee. Definitive Internet sources confirm it is in fact St. Gertrude who is the patron saint of cats.
More often, Julian is depicted holding a hazelnut, representing her divine vision that the whole of creation is so tiny to God, and yet sustained by God's love.
Personally, I would like to see her honored on this prestigious product label:
Occasionally, one can find an image with both a hazelnut and a cat, as
in this handmade statue of Julian, also found on Etsy. And in this painting from the previous home of the Order of Julian of Noriwich, Julian House Monastery, courtesy of Marguerite, @The_Parishioner , who is affiliated with that order.
Ultimately, however, Julian’s legacy is in her words, rather than her image. In 1981 Sydney Carter of “Lord of the Dance” fame wrote the song "Julian of Norwich" (sometimes called "The Bells of Norwich") based on her words.
The Poet T. S. Eliot incorporated the saying that "…All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” into his poem Little Gidding, the fourth of his Four Quartets.
And Internet searches for tasteless art inspired by Julian were ultimately unsatisfying, because instead there are rather a lot of tasteful posters and mugs with her quotes. And I promise, I get no commission from Etsy if you go right there and purchase some inspirational artwork!
Indeed, what better than a cup of coffee to help you have faith and hope in Christ's promise to Julian that all manner of things shall be well?
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158 comments on “Albert Schweitzer vs. Julian of Norwich”
It's the internet, which is filled with photos of cats. Of course the cat lady is going to win. Poor Albert. Call him a prince and put him in a can.
For what it's worth, Julian's cat probably was there to keep her little room rodent-free, so it was a working cat. I suppose that's no comfort to Albert. Just trust me, I'm another hazelnut for Julian, and it's about so much more than cats.
I favor those who make sacrifices to help as many as possible. Schweitzer left what could have been a comfortable life of relative luxury to go to Africa and serve the poorest of the poor. Also, I have not recovered from yesterday's contest...indeed madness as poor Absalom went down in defeat...Yes ! Sojourner won, but.....Well, at least our Oliver-eight years old won. Today's bloggers must have spiked their morning coffee..fabulous blogging as you ran amok with the kitschy stuff.
Julian of Norwich for me today.
This was a fix: Two cat people - one doctor, musician (albeit a violinist) and a Nobel prize winner noted for his great humanitarianism who is promoted with cheap kitsch vs. a godly woman whose kitsch could not be nicer. I charge the SEC with unfairly influencing the votes! Albert! Albert! Albert! (Nice going, Oliver!)
Julian for me. Albert Schweitzer was mistaken in his view of Jesus, and a paternalistic racist regarding the Africans he lived with.
so far my favorite write ups...and kitsch...great job! albert gets my vote because i think Julian was strange.
I'm suprised Julian's celebrity blogger did not run accross the book Julian's Cat! Had to vote for Julian, she has it all over Albert in the kitsch department! But frankly they are both worthy of their current halos and either would wear the golden one with dignity and grace!
And Julian's Cat Care (veterinarian) in Dearborn, MI!!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiGkuHG98fLAhWLHD4KHVK2B_cQFggkMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saintjulianscatcare.com%2Fstjulian.htm&usg=AFQjCNFxR3tdYkncoBVnfE_dLfRh6u-c7A&sig2=Hj9TxPZc7lqJgS94QX9AWQ
The reminder of T.S. Elliot's quote of "...All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well" reaffirmed my vote for Julian. We were members of his home parish, St. Stephen's Gloucester Road in South Kensington, London for 3 ½ years, and visited Norwich during that time. Julian has been at the top of my bracket for Golden Halo from the beginning.
Maybe if I hustle over to Etsy and buy that lovely mug, I will never again wake up grumpy in the morning! (Oh, wait... Grumpy says I had better remember to wake him up in the morning!) Julian got my vote today, despite that adorable, Hummel-looking figurine of Albert! (if it really is a Hummel, KMN!)
The kitsch for Albert is fabulous, if troubling in it's colonial tendencies (delightfully drawn to attention by the celebrity blogger), however I must vote for the homegrown saint Julian, a woman speaking down the ages, and because it is good to be reminded that all will be well.
Go GERTRUDE! Cats, cats, everywhere cats. Yay cats. Couldn't get past the mosquitoes and ants of Schweitzer but his refuge in cats went a long way toward his redemption. Not thrilled with Julian but the cat sleeping next to me snores gently and that always makes me feel as though everything will be well. Eventually.
The video song did it for me. "And all shall be well again, I know" will be running through my mind all day and I will be glad. Julian for me.
Congratulations Oliver for your big win!
Agreeing with you Carol. The shiny happy people singing her mantra makes it a no-brainer.
Albert's kitsch is definitely better than Julian's (see the keychain), but I'm going with Julian based on the write-ups from the past two rounds.
No contest for me: Julian it is! Please vote for her, so this summer I can tell Sister Pamela at the Community of All Hallows Guest House [they oversee Lady Julian's shrine in Norwich] that we Yanks love Julian. They have lots of cool Julian "stuff" at the Julian Centre Gift Shop.
Both bloggers had me laughing out loud today ... love when that happens during Lent Madness and my office mate asks me what I am laughing about. I had to go with Julian however. Schweitzer's mustache worries me, and we need a little more "All shall be well" in the world today. I just may have to visit Etsy.
Schweitzer for the a Golden Halo, from the beginning--though 'all comfort with music and cats' vs. 'All manner of thing will be well' is a tough one. Thanks to both bloggers for both inspiration and smiles, today.
Irish harp music on St Patrick's Day? Sure and that turned the tide to the lovely lady of Norwich. Indeed, all shall be well.
Our genius musical director, Kurt Knect, has written choral pieces that use Julian's words; our congregation also purchased a painting of Julian by a local artist. Plus I often wear a Julian medal. So...I'm voting for Julian, and then shopping for that mug.
In my "vast" experience with Lent Madness (this is my second year of playing), I think this year's Saintly Kitsch Round is simply splendid. Every post I read I find myself thinking, "Where did they ever manage to dig THAT up?" What a lovely humorous interlude between the seriousness of the first two rounds and the agony of choosing among the Faithful Four and then that final, crucial vote. Applause all around!
Julian for the Golden Halo !!!!!!!!"And all manner of things shall be well."
My inner crazy cat lady votes for Julian!
Toughest vote yet for me. Schweitzer was my childhood hero but I went with Julian. All shall be well!
Say, I was just doing a little historical research. Absalom Jones was in the Lent Madness brackets of 2010 (the very first one) and 2013. Columba was present in 2010 and 2012. There were also Joseph (2010), Barnabas (2011), Clare (2011 -- she made it to the Faithful Four, only to be defeated by C.S. Lewis who went on for the Golden Halo that year), and Monnica (2012). And three other former Faithful Fours: Julian (2010) who was beaten by St. Francis of Assisi (who did NOT win the Golden Halo that year); Constance (2011), beaten by Thomas Becket; and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (2012) who went down to Emma of Hawaii (who's that?!?). Last year's winner of the Silver Halo, Brigid, had her first outing in 2012. I thought that was interesting, so I thought I would pass it on. Incidentally, I got all this information from the Wall of Fame tab. Thanks, SEC.
Somewhat surprised by my vote for Julian, which I slept on before casting. As Milton put it, "God is also in sleep." What we really need these days is "eschatological hope." Leaving it at that today.
Outstanding kitsch, y'all! I am so torn! I should vote for Schweitzer--for that great display of goodies, and because I had him in the semifinals with Sojourner. But I can see that my bracket is terminally busted already, and for Nutella, which I adore, and for "All shall be well," which is the mantra in our family, I will vote against my own bracket . . . for Julian.
I voted for Dr. Schweitzer because he suggested the placement for where the organ would be installed in _my_ church (St. George's Church, New York City) back in 1958. ::teutonic shrug::
Could you demonstrate a teutonic shrug?
Julian isolated herself from the world and had visions of great poetic and mystical nature. Albert Schweitzer went out into the world and did the work of Jesus, healing the sick, taking care of the poor, and campaigning for peace. As much as I love the isolated mystic, I think we need more people who act on their faith. I vote for Schweitzer with the hope that all shall be well.
Julian for me today, a devoted life.
Albert's keychain swayed me today, but it was a close thing.
Had to go back and read the previous entries to decide because "all shall be well" tugged at my heart, esp. the song. But Albert....wow... out in the world with music, writing, healing, protesting, being interned, on and on and on. No longer a contest for me. A true saint.