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”
I've been troubled all along by what I remember (I was 11 in 1953) of the controversy that arose over Schweitzer's practices at Lambaréné. What especially sticks is the memory that he was regarded as tyrannical. Rather than spread the pretty well-documented allegations across this page, I refer interested readers to the "Criticism of Schweitzer" section of his Wilipedia biography.
My vote for Julian isn't for negative reasons, though. I've been a fan of hers ever since I first encountered her, about ten years after the Schweitzer controversy She saw through to the heart of the relationship between God and creation and found words to describe it to us to whom it would otherwise remain opaque, so that we might share her faith though we lack her vision.
Julian for me for so many reasons...to numerous to list!!!!
I am curious (like Julian's cat) -- do the Celebrity Bloggers actually purchase that kitsch, or merely do screen shots to share with us Lentmaniacs?
And if they do have to buy it to feature it in the Elate Eight round, what on earth do they do with it all?
There is a lot more to Julian than the quotes we're most familiar with. Her theology has had a major affect on my walk with God and I support her whole-heartedly.
I'm so glad the song was posted, as it is one of my favorites. "All shall be well again, I know." Great comfort, especially during this anxious time.
Wrote my website wrong. It's http://www.prayerplaypolitics.blogspot.com
It seems we have a heavy cat theme with these two, but St. Gertrude is the patron saint. Maybe next year St. Gertrude can be in Lent Madness. I vote for Dr. Schweitzer because of his actions versus contemplation.
At this point in our American political life, I need to know that "all will be well". Julian for me.
As much as I love and am inspired by Julian's words ... I am more inspired by Albert's doing. ... even though any spider that crosses my threshold is a dead spider. Ditto for any other creepy crawlies. Then again ... the man didn't always practice what he preached either ... re vegetarianism.
Please rethink your position on spiders -- they are our friends! Not to mention that they eat the other creepy crawlies, further easing your burden if you can bring yourself to let them in. Maybe start with just one or two and see how you get along.
Julian of Norwich and her Lenten Devotionals are the tops. Her kitsch is well...well...what can one say? I do have a very small icon of Julian at my prayer desk. She has a cat. I forget how I muckled onto that icon or I would share the info. It's very nice, though. I wonder what the name of her kitty was? Hazel? Nut?
A tough decision today. The words of Julian and Albert are powerful. Albert forayed into this messy world of ours. Julian did not. Yet both remain with us to this day. I share a January 14 birthdate and Lutheranism with Albert. Yet my vote goes to Julian because her eschatological words have touched my soul.
I had that cats playing music postcard as a child! Voted for Julian. I like cats and hazelnuts.
Julian. Because cats.
it was the nutrella that did it for me!
Had to vote for Lady Julian....family connections of Norwich could not be ignored! "All will be well..." is a meditation I have used so many times when things seemed hopeless. However, my compliments to blogger David Creech who wrote such a great argument for Albert!!
Hoo boy! Two of my favorites, so I knew it would be hard. At first I thought, Okay, Schweitzer because cats. Ooops. Julian because cats AND hazelnuts - since I live in Oregon and it's our State Nut (we've had others, but the filbert is forever!).
But mostly Julian because Mystic. And all manner of thing shall be well.
Oliver you helped me decide. The kitsch is even up as I love cats. I am like Oliver "All shall be well" won it for and the world is the size of a nut to God. Hope all is well with all of you.
I'm crushed! I voted for Albert, one of my heroes, even though Julian did have such an optomistic attitude. Oh well...
Shout out to David Creech for his excellent writing for Schweitzer today.
"Doesn't ring of colonialism...at all." <----best quote of the whole contest.
Despite the extraordinary kitsch for Schweitzer, and the fabulous writing of David Creech (thank you sir!), my vote is for Julian. She was so much more than the famous quote. After writing her 'Revelations' as an experiential diary, she then rewrote it over twenty years as a theological treatise while serving as an anchoress. Not completely isolated, she was available to those who came to her window for advice and prayer. Her experience with the Lord has changed many lives over the centuries, including mine.
Did Julian's statue in Norwich already get a shout-out? Because it's pretty awesome kitsch in and of itself. I went with Dame Julian today, but it was a tough choice.
Both saints like cats! How can I make an arbitrary decision, then? After careful consideration, I choose Schweitzer today.
In honor of both saints, a cat video:
"Hero Cat Compilation: Why We Love Cats"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVoElgX2irI
There simply is no comparison to the service that Dr. Albert Schweitzer gave to his fellow human beings! Physician who served the poor people of Africa who suffer from the some of the deadliest diseases known to man -- even at risk to his own life. Also a superb church musician, organist, and theologian. Albert Schweitzer was the epitome of Christ's call to minister to others. There is simply no comparison, and that has a lot to do with why he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952!
Schweitzer isn't German for cat. Schroedinger is.
"Like." But did you mean a live cat or a dead cat?
Or both at the same time?
Schweitzer, because of his conclusion at the end of "The Quest for the Historical Jesus": He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfil for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.
So unfair to have to choose between two people to whom I feel connected: Schweitzer because he once made a special trip to Boston just to play the organ at my church, Julian because she is my namesake. I opted for Julian, but could have gone either way.
So difficult to choose one over the other, but then you associated Julian with Nutella and hazelnuts and the choice was clear. And all is well.
Kitsch round is so strange and upside down that I find myself voting for brilliant blogs over shining saints. I love Julian and hope she wins, but David you've turned my head. Voted for Albert today. Kitsch so bad it's good.
The keychain "memorial plaque" almost swayed me to Schweitzer. But Julian still holds my heart, so she gets my vote.
As a number of people have noted, these votes get increasingly difficult the more closely matched the contestants are. Yesterday was so hard I didn't even vote. Today I'll have to stick with Big Al for music (Bach and organ) and philosophy, but I could just as easily have picked Julian again.
Silliness is out of hand with these Saint write-ups.
Silliness is always out of hand.
And silliness is a very good thing.
Silliness is always out of hand; that's why it's silly.
I had to go with Julian because the YouTube of "Bells of Norwich" was recorded in the church I used to attend.