The day after International Women's Day, we have two international women squaring off in the Lent Dome. Clare of Assisi (Italy!) takes on Vida Dutton Scudder (America!).
To make it thus far, Clare trounced Denis while Vida sailed past F.D. Maurice. Who will make face Constance in the Elate Eight? Only your vote and the next 24 hours will decide.
Yesterday Columba mastered Meister Eckhart 60% to 40 to advance to the next round.
And in the midst of the Saintly Sixteen, the SEC just wanted to offer a quick shout-out to all of our hard-working Celebrity Bloggers. As we get deeper into Lent, the turnaround times for the write-ups gets tighter. This is all being done in real time, folks! So if you spot a harried-looking CB, someone who may also be leading a congregation through Lent, give them a word of encouragement as you ask for their autograph. And then let them get back to their most important and holy task-at-hand.
Clare
So Clare was that person.
That person so sweet, so devoted, so honest, so deeply and genuinely kind to everyone even the haters can’t hate on her. Her only quirk was her deep goodness and authentic devotion.
Even before she was born, she was that person. While awaiting Clare’s birth, her mother went to a local church daily to pray for safe delivery as the date approached. One day, she heard a response to her prayer: “O Lady, do not be afraid, for you will joyfully bring forth a clear light which will illumine the world.”
Of course, that clear light was born shortly afterwards and named Clare, which means "clear one," in case you were wondering.
Writings about her life share that even as a child, she was holy and dedicated. One biographer notes she was praised by her neighbors and townspeople for her goodness and compassion and her devotion to daily prayer, even as an infant. As a child, she would take food from her plate to share with the hungry in her town.
Her only recorded act of disobedience was her refusal to marry the man her family selected for her. But since she made her vows, as she later wrote, “to take the Lord Jesus Christ, a spouse of a more noble lineage, who would keep her forever unspotted and unsullied,” even that act of disobedience gets a pass.
Clare spent all of her adult life in the contemplative religious order that would eventually be called the Order of St. Clare. Clare founded her order on deep contemplation of Christ and the purest ideal of Franciscan poverty. None of the women could own anything, and their daily lives reflected a faithful and serious commitment to poverty. For Clare, even her sleeping conditions were bare bones. In the Legend of St. Clare, we read about her sleeping conditions: “for a pillow, she took a block or a great stone; she lay always on the bare ground, or for to take the better her rest she lay otherwhile upon the cuttings of vines, unto the time that Saint Francis had commanded her, because that it was over foul, that she should use to lie on a sack full of straw.”
The vast majority of her writings are from letters to two women who were entering religious life. In her letter supporting Agnes and her decision to join the monastic life that embraces utter poverty, Clare writes:
O blessed poverty,
who bestows eternal riches on those who love and embrace her!
O holy poverty,
to those who possess and desire you God promises the kingdom of heaven
and offers, indeed, eternal glory and blessed life!
O God-centered poverty,
whom the Lord Jesus Christ Who ruled and now rules heaven and earth,
Who spoke and things were made, condescended to embrace before all else!
Clare doesn’t mention the rocks for pillows, but otherwise, her enthusiasm and dedication to Christ is evident.
Clare is even that person for those of us who find respite binge watching House of Cards on Netflix. Yes, she’s the patron saint of television. But instead of House of Cards, Clare watched the Sacrament of the Mass projected by none other than the Holy Spirit on the wall of her room when she became too ill to attend.
Yes, she was that person who loved and served the Lord with her whole self and soul. She guides the sisters of her order: “Love him totally who gave himself totally for your love.”
We truly need more of those people like Clare.
Vida Dutton Scudder
The more you learn about Vida Dutton Scudder, the more it is clear that her quiet influence and deep commitments touched many aspects of society throughout the last century and into the current one.
Vida was an educator, Episcopalian, editor/writer, principal advocate in social and women’s issues, social worker, welfare activist, anti-war/pro-peace proponent, and one of the most prominent lesbian writers of her time. She maintained that charity by and of itself is a failure; rather, an economic solution was the only avenue to effectively address social problems.
Her prolific writings were truly the window into her deeply Christian soul and provided an outpouring for her beliefs. Honored annually on October 10, Vida’s quotes mirror her life’s work, social beliefs and stances:
“War to win peace is at best a dangerously illogical method.”
“The suppression of war is not the equivalent of peace.”
“Luxury, like a minimum wage, is a relationship; it changes as we change.”
“Reality, like beauty, is in relationship and there only.”
“It is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed.”
“An element of abstention, of restraint, must enter into all finer joys.”
“The worst danger of the mystic is as always a quest of spiritual privilege leading to aloofness from the common lot.”
“If prayer is the deep secret creative force that Jesus tells us it is, we should be very busy with it.”
“Economic necessity is the determining base of permanent social change”
“Social intercession may be the mightiest force in the world.”
Living her beliefs was a strong part of Vida’s lifelong dedication and education. She was an early member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross (SCHC), comprised of lay and ordained Episcopal and Anglican women who are dedicated to a life of prayer for social justice, unity, peace and reconciliation.
Some interesting notes and tidbits about Vida and those around her:
Vida Dutton Scudder lived from 1861 to 1954, bridging historic times that cried out for, and desperately needed, her social conscience, personal drive, and intense spirituality.
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160 comments on “Clare vs. Vida Dutton Scudder”
This was a tough one, but as a Companion, like Vida, I voted for her. She was instrumental in getting the SCHC started on its current path.
I voted for Clare because she wanted to chose her own life and not just marry the guy her parents wanted her to.
I agree with HeatherC, Vida won me over with her actions and dedication to a life of prayer for social justice.
EEK! I think I might have mistakenly voted twice. Please oh please SEC do not bar me from future voting. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. (I'm blaming the back arrow)
At a time when the Anglican Communion (whatever that is these days) is freaking out over what some call "orthodoxy" (and I call "my doxy") vs. what some (including me) call "diversity" (and others call" abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints and you in TEC must repent of your Dreadful Sin and a promise to cease and desist or resist expulsion from our oh so pure and holy AC" be sure to say that all in one breath to get the full effect), how can I not vote for Vida Dutton Scudder, who would have choice words for all concerned. And on top of that, she was a Lesbian! Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks through people who are so "other" from us that we can scarcely believe it.
Oh I just love love love your comment! Sooooooo True!!!!!! Thanks for the perceptive sum-up linking Vida with the present!!!!! Sue
I have to go with Vida Dutton Scudder. She perfectly illustrates the vast difference between mere social service (laudable as that may be) and social action that leads to social transformation. It is the difference between piety and prophecy.
Another tough one, but Clare won out because although we don't know if she was as quotable as Vida, her devotion and her refusal to marry were an outstanding witness in her day.
Americans have trouble with the concept of poverty as a calling and spiritual gift (just like last year there was a lot of ridicule/debate about the "gift of tears"). Some of the comments are pretty hard on Clare. I loved her quote: : “Love him totally who gave himself totally for your love.” The point is to focus on God, not self or possessions, and part of loving God means loving others. She didn't sit around and pray and lie on the ground all day. Just because we don't understand something and it's not our calling, we shouldn't dismiss it as misguided, masochistic, or irrelevant. There may be a lesson there we need to learn.
Marvelous comment!! Thank you.
To me it's interesting that Clare is being so heavily criticised for her life of chosen poverty - only one year after St. Francis, who made the very same choice, won the Golden Halo!
Good observation, Barbara! As my sainted mother-in-law used to say, "People are funnier than anybody."
My housemate quotes her mother as saying that all the time. It's so true.
I voted for Clare, it is hard to have everyone like you and she seems to have done that.
Thanks to all CB's and the SEC for making a great tourney. This is a wonderfully witty and highly educational way for luring us not so subtly into reflecting upon our own vocation and making decisions about how we will live in the coming days. The races drawing tighter, the tension mounts, and Easter is coming with the Golden Halo. Happy days in Lent!
"“The worst danger of the mystic is as always a quest of spiritual privilege leading to aloofness."
I'm taking those words as permission from Vida to vote for Clare, who was, I think, immune to that temptation.
I have to vote for Clare, because she has always inspired me by being that person.
Casting a vote for Team Vida. Hard pick between such good people, but Vida was a much more vocal agent of change. Love the quote, "“If prayer is the deep secret creative force that Jesus tells us it is, we should be very busy with it.”
As I am currently walking in Clare territory I gotta vote for her. She was very kind to many people.
Both were excellent choices, with no one obvious choice for me. The comments made the choice even harder. I'll go for the one who seems to be the "underdog". But, from the comments, it seems pretty much like line-ball between the two (again!). On the principle that more modern saints seem to prevail over their elders in this year's Lenten Madness, I'll vote for Clare once I can scroll up to the voting device.
Clare's work lives on today in the sainted order of Sisters she founded. There are hospitals and nursing facilities staffed by the good Sisters and members of my family have been the recipients of their goodness. Blessings to them -- Clare all the way!
Concerning the petrified pillow: In the context of medieval asceticism, which was much more common and severe than in later periods, sleeping on a rock was no big deal. On Isola Maggiore in Lake Trasimene (or
Trasimeno), where Francis passed Lent 1311 as a hermit, you can see the rocks that served as his bed and pillow; there's no reason to think they're not genuine, since the fact of his stay is well-attested and that's the sort of thing hermits routinely did in those days. I was interested to read that he discouraged Clare from permanemtly emulating what for him had been a seasonal penance, there being no chocolate to give up back then.
I am distraught that "poor Clare" is behind! Please vote!
I'm with you! I've already voted for her or else I would again.
Be comforted, Heidi. The SEC knows these things happen.
It's interesting, isn't it, that no one dismissed Francis for his asceticism; he won the Golden Halo! His buddy, Clare, on the other hand, has caught a lot of flak for the same thing. Could it be, perhaps, the bunny factor?
Kathy... there is a Woolman Hill Quaker retreat center in Deerfield, MA, not far from my home.
Viva Vida!
"For 28 years Clare was continually ill, and often confined to her bed. Even in bed she insisted on doing her share of work. " (From: https://www.trinitystores.com/store/art-image/st-clare-assisi-c-1194-1253)
I wonder how much more could she have done if she had taken better care of her physical body?
I have to wonder how Vida felt about pacifism in the light of WWII? To remain pacifist in relation to the Holocaust suggests enabling. Reluctantly voted for Clare.
I should really read the comments before voting. This was so hard - I finally picked Vida because of the quote about creativity vs. possession and because she modeled the political advocacy I've been involved in my whole working life. But then to read that Clare is the patron saint of embroidery! and that she had kitties! Plus my lovely grand-niece is named Clare. I am having voter's remorse.
As devoted as she was, and as much good as did, I have trouble with the idea of St. Clare praying as an infant. My vote today goes to Vida.
Um. Clare, I guess. I appreciate the enlightening discussion centered around her & her vow of poverty. It's making me think.
Clare. “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.” (www.trinitystores.com/store/read-more/saint-clare-assisi-1) For founding the Poor Clares, securing the Rule of Life for her Order and giving the funds from her order to those in need. Also, patron saint of television.
p.s .Thank you Jane L. for the website. Thank you to all the CBs for their write-ups. Go Oliver and Sarah-15 years!
Vida had me with this: “If prayer is the deep secret creative force that Jesus tells us it is, we should be very busy with it.” A challenge for our times.
We even need more Vida's today, understanding the realities of the world in which we live.
No hiding out for her.
Thanks to the SEC for including a shout-out to the Celebrity Bloggers, who are writing in real time at this stage of the Madness. Thank you all for your unfailingly insightful and often witty profiles of these very human saints who've walked among us. You've made Lent real for me.
How was Vida Scudder left out of my two graduate degrees in social work? She has my vote, although I've always loved and admired Clare. I'm on to my University to put Vida into the curricular. Cheers to social work and prayer!