We embarked upon this Lent Madness journey over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday.” With your help we have narrowed the field of 32 saints down to just two: Julian of Norwich and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (who edged Sojourner Truth yesterday 52% to 48%). Who will win the coveted Golden Halo of Lent Madness 2016? Only 24 hours and your voting participation will reveal this holy mystery.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable saintly folks along the way. Perhaps you learned about some saints you’d never heard of or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.
In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we’ve all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned a few things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and had a lot fun along the way.
Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our stellar Celebrity Bloggers to whom we offer sincere gratitude: Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, Anna Fitch Courie, David Creech, Neva Rae Fox, David Hansen, Beth Lewis, Hugo Olaiz, Derek Olsen, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his unsung behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily — in his inimitable style. And to our Resident Foodie, Maria Nolletti Ross, whose recipes in the Saintly Scorecard and online helped keep the inevitable weekend Lent Madness Withdrawal at bay. You all rock! And we’re all grateful for your good writing, good humor, and adhering to most, if not all, of the SEC-imposed deadlines.
We're also grateful to the Forward Movement staff who have supported this endeavor: Richelle Thompson, Rachel Jones, Heidi Weaver-Smith, Alyssa Finke, and Michael Phillips, as well as everyone who answered the phone in the Lentorium and all the other things to make Lent Madness successful: Tania Z. Jones, Carole Miller, Nancy Hopkins-Greene, Melody Shobe, Hugo Olaiz, Theo Lambert, Miriam McKenney, Jay Sidebotham, Loren Dixon, Samantha Franklin, Jane Paraskevopoulos, Barbara Hine, Vicki Everett, Amy Golden, Kathy Jose, Aleia Robinson, Peggy Sanchez, Debbie Springer, and the office mascot, George T. Dog.
2015 Golden Halo winner, Francis of Assisi, prepares to welcome the 2016 winner
Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling out brackets, talking about saints at coffee hour, submitting "mug shots," liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
But enough gratitude. We have a Golden Halo to award! As with all the matchups, the polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced right here at 8:00 am Eastern Time on Maundy Thursday. At this point, everything about these two worthy saints has been said (though if you need some refreshers, click on the Bracket tab and scroll down). We have simply asked our two remaining celebrity bloggers, Amber Belldene (Julian of Norwich) and Beth Lewis (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) to provide us with one image and one quote.
The rest is up to you, the Lent Madness voting public. So go do your thing! And thanks for playing along this year — we’re delighted you joined us for the journey.
Julian of Norwich
"It appears to me that there is a deed that the Holy Trinity shall do on the last day…and how it shall be done is unknown to all creatures under Christ…This is the great deed ordained by our Lord God from eternity, treasured up and hidden in his blessed breast…and by this deed he shall make all things well.”
― Julian of Norwich
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means giving oneself completely to God's commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish purposes.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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288 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Julian of Norwich vs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer”
If Julian of Norwich were your professor... because The Toast is always spot on http://the-toast.net/2015/08/05/if-julian-of-norwich-were-your-professor/
Delightful! Thanks for sharing this!
With a daughter named after Julian and being an Episcopalian, I vote for Julian. Thanks for all those who contributed to Lent Madness enhancing my knowledge of a wide variety of saints.
Both of these people mean so much to me. I have used Julian's famous quote ("......all manner of thing shall be well.") to help me through many difficult times in my life. Just saying the words brings me comfort and peace when I am in turmoil. And Bonhoeffer’s example of costly discipleship, even unto death, has always given me strength to endure during trying times. At this moment in our history, Bonhoeffer’s clear message rings loud and clear; a warning to us from past. They are both “winners.” We are lucky to have such people as examples to emulate.
Well said, brother. Well said.
Lady Julian for me, today.
"And from that time that it was shewed I desired oftentimes to learn what was our Lord’s meaning. And fifteen years after, and more, I was answered in ghostly understanding, saying thus: Wouldst thou learn thy Lord’s meaning in this thing? Learn it well: Love was His meaning. Who shewed it thee? Love. What shewed He thee? Love. Wherefore shewed it He? For Love. Hold thee therein and thou shalt learn and know more in the same. But thou shalt never know nor learn therein other thing without end. Thus was I learned that Love was our Lord’s meaning."
(From Chapter 86 (the final chapter) of Revelations of Divine Love, St. Julian of Norwich (1393). http://www.ccel.org/ccel/julian/revelations.xviii.xx.html )
Happy Spy Wednesday! Both of these saints speak to me but of course, we're down to the end and must choose. Julian of Norwich. What a delightful, fun-filled and informative Lenten season, and I am sorry to see it end.
Two of my favorite saints...so hard to choose today. Have travelled with both of these fellow believers at different times in my life, so either way my team wins. Today my vote is with Dietrich, but my heart is with Julian.Blessings to all. I will miss you. Until next year.
Tim and Scott, our Supremes of Supremes, I somehow knew it was going to come down to these beloved saints.
This has been a Lent Madness season of tough choices... Maddeningly tough choices at times! The good news is that with tough choices, I couldn't be upset with the outcome! And thus it is on this final round... Though I voted for Julian, I will be satisfied should Dietrich Bonhoeffer prevail. All shall be well, whichever one wears the halo.
"There is no way to peace along the way of safety." I hope that Dietrich Bonhoeffer is awarded the GOLDEN HALO for the 2016 LENT MADNESS, but if Julian wins, there really is no loss. What is most impressive this year is the sheer number of children and youth who have sincerely and seriously been involved, especially our friend Oliver-eight years old. Thanks always to our Padres and Bloggers who have outdone themselves this year in helping us all to learn more and love more to the glory of God this Easter season.
Considering the present political atmosphere and its demagoguery, I feel compelled to give the crown to Bonhoeffer! We need his strength and inspiration!
Indeed. While there were many worthy potential winners in this little lark, it is hard to come up with a more timely example than Bonhoeffer at this moment.
St. Celia, well said. Jesus wouldn't recognize the way the west has interpreted his path. Fr. Richard Rohr has said that the Incarnation is really the only thing new that Christianity has to offer the world. We however, much prefer to worship Jesus than to walk the Christ path. D.B. has my vote as a truly modern witness and model for the Incarnational Life.
Julian. She will look better on a mug. And I love Oliver's comments.
See you all next Lent. Blessed Easter.
While Dietrich's book was one of the first I read in college, I'm using one of Julian's prayers tonight in worship service so Julian wins.
Bonhoeffer! Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, spy for the Golden Halo!
I have read all the comments and my tears threaten to fall. These are 2 saints I spent the most time with, that have had an impact on my spiritual and Christian life. I've voted for each through all their brackets and now it comes down to having to choose between them...it's like when you're asked which child you love most-I love them both equally. But because of what's happened in Brussels this week and what is happening in the political campaigns in the States, I think I have to go with Dietrich today, though it breaks my heart. But all things shall be well, as we work together towards peace in our time. Thank you for a wonderfully challenging Lenten season-can't wait for next year!
My Lent Madness bracket had these two going for the Golden Halo from the beginning...and now that we're here, I still can't easily pick between these two. I'd predicted that Julian would win it all, but in light of yesterday's attacks in Belgium, I have to go with Dietrich: "For peace must be dared..."
How could I not vote for a person who displayed "no greater love"? How could I not vote for such a great Lutheran Christian? How could I not vote on Spy Wednesday for one who was a spy for Christ - working in German military intelligence as a mole to help Jewish believers escape the Holocaust? How could I not vote to help celebrate Lutheran (ELCA) full communion with the Episcopal Church? So, I voted for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It looks like he just might do what old Marty could not - wear the coveted Golden Halo. Thanks to SEC, all the bloggers, and participants for helping to enrich my Lent.
Having picked the "losing choice" almost all the time this year, I probably will not change today! 🙂
All shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be well.
The peace quote was timely. The final hour quote was kinda trite. Getting through Colossians in EfM, I was drawn to Col 3:15, in the context of a Dilemma-based TR discussion. Peace --- whatever it meant to Paul, and perhaps to Deitrich --- brings us toward where we ought be, in a community of love. To hear DB say it's not the avoidance of conflict, but the sense that things have fallen into place -- a sense gained only through courageous action -- really hits home. DB4GH!!
"...a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously" What a great summary of what Lent Madness is all about. I add my thanks to the many already expressed to the SEC, the CB's, all the folks who choose to comment, and everybody behind the scenes that we are scarcely aware of. This was my second Lent Madness, and I hope to continue participating for many years to come. I already can't wait for November and the new bracket!
For all his courage, clarity, and gifts, Dietrich Bonhoeffer still chose to align with violence, chose to be part of a plot to murder Hitler. I find that problematic, since I follow the path of someone whom good religious people thought it was expedient to have killed. Too often I have seen people try to solve a problem through getting rid another person, whether by the violence of murder or the violence of shaming, scapegoating, or shunning. The problem doesn't go away and a martyr is created, larger than life. Neo-Nazis are not an accident of history, but a product born out of violence. Bonhoeffer had not listened to Jesus primary teaching and example. It is not a teaching that is popular and there are always reasons to explain it away, rationalize not following it. But it remains Jesus' primary teaching and example.
Julian looks squarely into the face of evil, injustice, political and religious corruption, and death and heard the voice of Jesus say "all will be well".
Well said. You have put words to uneasy feelings I could not articulate. While we are called to be in the world, we are not of this world, when we walk in the Spirit. Forego safety for peace, I pray I can. To oppose evil by force only reinforces the perceived value of force. As we are in Holy Week, let us remember Jesus healing the guard whom Peter struck with his sword. "Thus said Jesus, put back your sword, for all who live by the sword shall perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)
From my reading of a few sources, it's not at all clear that DB was involved in the plot to kill Hitler. He certainly knew and worked in the resistance with some of those who were, but he was, by the mid 1930s, an advocate of pacifism and nothing in his writing after that suggests otherwise. He was arrested for trying to save the lives of a considerable number of Jews and was incarcerated well before the attempt. His association with some of the conspirators certainly helped to speed his execution but it is both unclear and unlikely that he was actively involved in the July 20th plot. Who knows what he said to his friends (and his brother-in-law), but i think to condemn him for something for which there is no real evidence and which is counter to all that he wrote and said at any point after 1933 is problematic.
Vicki, I so hope that DB's reputation as a would-be assassin is undeserved. To be willing to kill another human being is certainly inconsistent with what he stood for. Until this year's Lent Madness, I had never heard anyone contest the story of Bonhoeffer's involvement in the July 20th plot. I will now have to do some deeper reading into this.
Hi Harlie,
Good luck in your research. It was years (and years) ago that i did some of mine when i was doing my honors thesis in Religious Studies at UVA. My paper was about that the fact that 'a just war theory' was inconsistent with the Gospel. I wanted to use Bonhoeffer as one of my modern voices, but I was concerned about the Hitler plot, since it seemed to go counter to all his writing from 1933 forward. And then i started reading both the actual 'evidence' and also the writing of voices (some of whom knew him) pointing out many of the problems with the inditement. It was most likely guilt by association and an 'easy' way to execute him - he was imprisoned in the spring of '43 and the attempt wasn't until July of the following year. He was a thorn in the Nazi side, guards were smuggling some of his papers out of prison, he was a powerful moral voice, he had been in the underground, and had helped Jews and family members escape. I suspect that for those who feel that killing is sometimes ok (the ends justifies the means argument) in the face of moral evil, DB's legend as one who finally gave into that idea gives them what they feel is support. I, on the other hand, still think that the evidence leans more to a Gandhi - Dr. King approach on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's part. With acknowledgement of the controversy, i used him in that paper and continue to believe - even more strongly than i did in 1979 - that killing to end killing or to punish is not consistent with the Gospel. I know some people who disagree with me and the debate continues. Have a joyful Easter Harlie, and as i said have fun in your research.
I voted for Bonhoeffer today because he is truly a saint for our times and is an inspiration to me as I watch events unfold in our country and the world. I have however been inspired to seek out the writings of Julian of Norwich so I guess the real winner in this contest is me and wasn't that the point.
Hooray!
St. Celia you said it best for me. Thank you.
Thank you also to the Lent Madness teams for your outstanding work
each year. You have made Lent "new" and educational for me.
I think the writers did a fantastic job this year as the SEC said in renewing our relationships with saints we are fond of and those formerly unknown. Today's quote from Bonhoeffer was spot on and is almost more true today than it was when he said it.
As profound as the writings of Bonhoeffer are and life in general, I just can't bring myself to vote for him because of his involvement in the assassination attempt of Hitler. Bonhoeffer died because of the failed attempt when his role became clear. This probably sounds like a pro-Hitler position but I can't see Joseph involving himself in a plot to kill Herod or Jesus, Caesar.
Here is some perspective about his involvement: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/no-dietrich-bonhoeffer-didnt-try-to-kill-adolph-hitler/
Thanks to all that have contributed to this Lenten journey. My first Lenten Madness & very thoughtful & informative along with being fun. My vote went to Julian today but either way we all win knowing more about theses saints. In truth I am in awe of DB courage. My belief has always been that those of us that came after the Nazi era could not really understand the evil of that time. DB's life & death can give us some of that understanding & what we see in our own world today. May the Lord be with all of us as we walk through this Holy Week.
I see I'm not the only one inclined to tears this morning. Bonhoeffer's words are sobering, and necessary, and relevant to the global challenges we face today. But for me, it is Julian's stirring vision of hope that gives me the courage to take on Bonhoeffer's challenge and truly put my trust in God.
The cat helps, too.
What an angst-filled choice!!
However.... All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things shall be well.....
Adding my thanks to not only the makers and shakers at Lent Madness, but also to all you Holy Commenters. I've found it very powerful to hear your voices, and remember there is a worldwide community keeping Lent, and seeking to grow more deeply into Christ, together. A very blessed Holy Week and Easter to you all.
Thank you SEC and the bloggers for the hard work, humour and insight you have brought to our Lenten practice. The choices were often hard, and especially today, but my final vote went to Julian.