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”
Glad you won the St Francis Oliver, a triumph all round.
This is the most FANTASTIC gathering of kitsch that I've ever seen! Bravo to both CBs for their excellent research! But Julian all the way for the Golden Halo for me -- she's given me hope and comfort for years. Blessed Lent to all!
There is absolutely no beating Albert's kitsch. The figurine! The keychain! I'd cast my vote for him if I were basing my decision on that. But instead I'm going with Julian for her contribution which has stood the test of time.
This is a bit of kitch memory. I first learned of Albert Sweitzer when I was about four. He was regularly referenced in the old style cartoons. Someone would be in Afrika and run into him. "Dr Sweitzer I presume?" I'll vote for the one whose kitch introduced me to them over 60 years ago.
I love both Albert Schweitzer and Lady Julian. I even have a T-shirt with his quote about music and cats on it! But I remember the story of the director who said to the overactive actress, "Don't just DO something! Stand there!" Lady Julian STOOD there for all who sought her prayers, her advice, her healing, her comfort, the love of Christ she spread all around. She has been a stalwart example and spiritual friend to me, especially when all was NOT well with the patients and their families in the hospital I served as a chaplain. And now, when I've had one complication after another following foot surgery in January, I desperately need to hear that "all shall be well" even though I'm not on my feet yet. And once I am, I look to the comfort and joy to be brought to our household by a pair of adorable kittens!
Oh poor thing, you! I had foot surgery last January. Foot surgery is a hard one. So I will say, for your exhortation, "All will be well, and all will be well..." I'm walking up to 4 miles a day and I couldnt walk through a mall before the surgery.
Had to go with Team Julian- I'm not about to explain to our 7 cats why we chose to go with Albert!
I always vote before looking at the results/comments, so I was pleasantly surprised to see Julian leading! It seems that people have been favoring more modern and action oriented saints, so it's great to see a contemplative being valued. However, I did love David Creech's write-up about Albert Schweitzer. I only hope everyone else got it. After all, Africa is a country, right?
Take another look at the Albert Schweitzer "key chain." I believe you will find that it was originated as a prize for completing a 10 or 12 kilometer volksmarch (peoples walk) in Germany. Each year, the walking club would design a new medal for their walk. Those who complete a 20 kilometer walk would get a silver one. And if they had a 30K walk too, it would be in Gold. If there was a Marathon (42.195K) walk too, then it would probably have a patch as the prize for completion. If you are interested in walking, look up the American Volksmarching Association on line. There are walks all over the U.S.A. and in many other countries.
Musical kitsch! Of course! And cats too! Julian! (Amber, did you consider Julienned veggies?)
I didn't realize how much I was rooting for Julian until AFTER I voted and saw Julian was ahead in the polls. And how do I find that tasteful poster with her quotation?
Ok - even though I was part of a wonderful pilgrimage to Great Britan (led by a fabulous seminary professor of Anglican studies to see the sites of all the British mystics AND I'm crazy for Nutella, I had to go with Al - I've always wanted to go to Africa, kitsch is marvelous and who can debate the incredible worth of music and cats? (My kitty, Zookie, made me do it)
Difficult choice. Voted for Julian. Her famous quote "all manner of things shall be well" sealed the deal for me. When she knocked my pre-competition favourite, the boy from Yorkshire, out of the tournament in the first round, she became my choice for the Golden Halo.
Re the Schweitzer kitsch, the thingy with the German flag is über inaccurate. As an Alsatian, Schweitzer's birthplace changed hands between France and Germany a number of times, but (as I remember from his biography) he regarded himself as French.
Nice writing, David Creech, and thank you! You made me laugh.
Sorry, but my very shallow reason for not voting for Julian is that I don't like hazelnuts.
For those of us who are basically nervous wrecks, Julian's words are comforting, especially since they grew out of a vision. We have her words all over the house, along with four cats. Dame Julian it is.
And congratulations, Oliver!!
Cat Lady vs Cat Man! As a Dog Lover (Roch On!) all I can say is "Nutella, mmmm...."
Julian it is!
Had to vote for Juliian. We have three cats in the house and we feed two feral kitties outside.
Thanks for the kind comments! I'm glad you enjoyed reading. I had fun writing! Julian for the Halo!
Albert beat out both of my favorites from this corner of the bracket. Also Nutella is great. Going for Julian!
I voted for Julian of Norwich. Coffee, Nutella, and "The Bells of Norwich." I enjoyed the write-up on Albert Schweitzer, and will listen to some violin/fiddle music in honor of him.
I'm sure this day went a lot smoother without St. COLUMBA IN THE RUNNING. I'm thinking he would have trounced poor Julian! Oh well, there had to be some forethought given in the original match ups to come to this great day with nary an Irishman up.
Oh and forgive my recall of those cartoons I cited. That was, "Dr. Livingston, I presume?" But as my dad was explaining who Livingston was he referenced Albert Schweitzer as another person in Africa and all I remembered was Schweizer. Se la vie, memories of children are subject to mix-ups.
Albert, because, although I very much do like cats and rabbits and turtles and birds and gold fish and ducks and everything else--except snakes-- in the zoo, I (we) have three rescue dogs at the moment. Sorry, Julian to be so shallow...BTW: our last cat was named "Fluffy." She went to Cat Heaven some years ago. Additionally, like Albert, I was an organist in my long ago younger days.
Barely got in my vote before the midnight hour...I hope! i hope Julian wins the golden halo, because i'd love a mug with All shall be well" on it. As a cat lover, I am glad both today's saint appreciated them, too. So calming!
Woops, the cat's name was "Patches". She still went to Heaven.
Forgot to add this to kitch ideas for Julian. At Basbleu.com there are two pieces of sterling silver jewelry with the All shall be well quote: a Mobius pendant on a chain and a bangle bracelet. Signals.com may have both, too.
The first vote of 2016 Lent Madness I missed - I got distracted by the marvelous mug shots and Oliver's happy win and neglected to go on to voting.
I'm very glad to have gone back and read the posts, however. The link to the Bells of Norwich song made my day. I've never heard it before and that is a particularly lovely rendition of it. I'm bookmarking it for daily bouts with news broadcasts - it will restore my spirit.