288 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Julian of Norwich vs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer”

1. Never until Lent Madness was invented did I wish Lent were longer! Thanks, Tim & Scott, or Scott and Tim!

2. Many thanks to all those who have made this journey so interesting, enjoyable and educational. I went with Dietrich, as I see many others did, particularly in light of the present evil that demands our action. Although I am cheered by the AWBW of Julian, it is Dietrich's action that I feel is needed in the world today. Sometimes we Christians are so heavenly minded that we end up no earthly good. (A quote from someone, I forget who!).

3. Bonhoeffer. I teared up reading that quote. "Peace is the opposite of security." That's mind-bending stuff.

4. Thank you for this wonderful Lenten experience!

5. BONHOEFFER BEER STEIN! BONHOEFFER BEER STEIN! BONHOEFFER BEER STEIN! (C'mon folks, are you with me?) BONHOEFFER BEER STEIN!

   1. That's very Lutheran of you. 😉

      1. You found me out! LOL

      2. Thank you, SusanLee. I need healing prayer.

      3. This has been an amazing and educational journey for me. Coming from "down-under", I didn't know of some of the saints like Constance so thanks for educating me more. Wishing all a blessed and holy week and a joyful Easter Day(which we start with a fish breakfast!)

      4. Works on my ipad so sorry it's not worked for you

   2. Wouldn't h;p things — they'd not understand the message.

6. Many thanks to the SEC, bloggers, and all the people who make this happen. Thank you to all the community of commenters also. I'll miss the daily give and take. I feel like I did years ago on the last day of summer camp. A blessed Easter to everyone. Looking forward to reuniting next year.

7. Thanks to all in the SEC and at FM for making LM possible this year, and to all contributors for their stimulating comments.

8. What, oh WHAT will I do next Monday?

   1. If it's not already called "Low Monday," it should be for that reason.

9. Today we encounter submission to God of such blinding purity that it pains us to look on it. Harder still, we are driven by the Madness to choose between two of its purest expressions, so outwardly different that we might be forgiven for failing to see them as one. Neither Julian nor Dietrich, I suspect, would have had any such difficulty.

   Maybe we are drawn to favor Dietrich because of Julian's remoteness in time and culture, and because much of his life so resembles what we know of the life of Christ. When I began to write this I intended to vote for him for reasons many have already mentioned: the immediacy of his example, our deep need of such examples, and its heightened relevance to this particular moment.

   I found, though, that I just couldn't pull the lever and am about to vote for Julian for the same reasons I gave in earlier rounds: "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. . . . Without her witness the Church, and especially the Anglican corner of it, would be spiritually depleted without ever recognizing its own impoverishment." After all, we have Julian's own assurance that, if my vote is a mistake, God will not merely forgive it but will put it right.

   1. Beautifully put, Davis. Thanks for your own purity of intention. (And thanks for your intervention yesterday.) You have been an active and faithful participant. Be well all year.

   2. I was planning to vote for Julian but the Bonhoeffer quote did sway me. I had to vote for him in memory of my father because it made me think of Dad, a pacifist, conscientious objector and vegetarian before any of those things were acceptable, let alone "cool".

   3. Thanks, Davis. I will miss hearing from you. Take care, and thanks again for all the heart and thought you put into your comments.

      1. Until next year, Susan. I will miss hearing from you.

         1. I'll miss you both. At present I'm under some stress and may not be a great correspondent, but my email address is fddassori@gmail.com if you'd like to share.

            Oh, and St. Celia, at one point I said you were a "hoot." I find the post of Patron Saint of Owls is vacant (unbelievable but apparently true) and would like to nominate you.

            1. Oh how sweet! Athena, the goddess of wisdom, is an owl. That is a high honor. I had thought that post was occupied by Hedwig, the beautiful white owl of Harry Potter fame. (But I think maybe she got killed in book 6.) You da man. I accept.

               But I find this forces me into a rather embarrassing personal confession: I am NOT A REAL SAINT. Only (as Nietzsche put it) "human, all too human." Just stumbling along with the rest of you toward Canterbury . . . for the great company and the free drinks . . .

         2. Dear Lucy,

            Get well soon.

            Oliver

         3. Betsy:
            My thoughts exactly! Thank you to the SEC (long may they reign) and the wonderful Bloggers whose words and images brought alive each and every glorious Saint. And deepest thanks to all those who shared their insight and experiences, from Oliver to Deacon Nicholson and everyone in between. You have made this Lent a spiritually uplifting (and very fun) walk to Easter. Blessings to you all for a glorious Easter and see you all again next Lent! AWBW.

         4. Amen!

10. Thanksgiving for the SEC, celebrity bloggers, and those who commented. This was a good experience. Happy Easter blessings to all!

11. Today, in this time and place, I had to vote for DB. Both wear a Goldn Halo for me.

12. A question for the SEC - I'm wondering how many Golden Halo winners reached the finals the day before the Golden Halo vote, and how many made that step in the bracket two days before the final vote? i.e. does that last member of the Faithful Four to reach the finals enjoy a momentum advantage over the first? No suggestion for a change in format - I'm just curious if my suspicion is accurate.

    I add my thanks to the SEC, the Celebrity Bloggers, the "behind the scenes" folks and to my companions in the way. Lent Madness has been an outstanding Lenten devotion program. Fun and participatory, but executed with a noble dual purpose to educate and motivate - a terrific success for me personally - thanks be to God!

    1. You can find out all the stuff on the Wall of Fame tab. It has all the previous brackets.

13. I honestly thought I'd vote for Julian, but I didn't. After I considered the world as it is with Christians being martyred by ISIS, I realized (as many of you said) that DB's courage, the way he lived out his faith, are an encouragement to me. They are also an indictment; I don't think I'd ever have his courage. All in all, it was a tough choice, but DB got my vote.
    Thanks to the SEC and everyone involved in LM. You do an amazing job.
    And to everyone, have a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Resurrection Day. See you all next year.

14. You have all articulated my thoughts, feelings & gratitude: for everyone who made my second year of LM even more amazing than the first. I feel so lost at the prospect of a tomorrow without our SEC, CBs, & you who comment daily---& therefore have become "real" to me, even though I've never met you, etc. My voting usually puts me in the minority; in fact, St. Celia is the voter/commenter whose choices invariably are mine own & whose sage & spiritually insightful remarks add to the joy of the morning. Today is the first voting decision in which I've not "voted first; read comments after"; it was too difficult, too painful. Thanks to the writers who admitted tears today; I felt less alone for your revealing that. I will miss you all more than you will ever know. Now, I must decide between Julian & Dietrich, a far more difficult choice than any heretofore. To all of you out there & to the superb CBs, SEC, et al, thank you for everything. Thanks to all of you wonderful people writing each day; you've formed a community of like-minded souls. Thank you.

    1. From the bottom of my heart, Sally, thank you.

15. Thank you, SEC! This has indeed been a Lenten season to "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest."
    Thank you bloggers and LM community as a whole. It has been a deeply satisfying journey!

16. Julian made it to the final round back in 2010 but lost to George Herbert and now it looks like she’s going to lose to a man again. Bonhoeffer is amazing, but I think Julian should get a consolation prize for coming in second place, twice (!).
    I applaud the SEC for giving St. Brigid the "silver halo" last year and making the St. Brigid pint glass. That was brilliant! Any ideas for a Julian of Norwich mug alternative? I was thinking a Julian of Norwich hazelnutcracker...

    1. I think like Jesus Julian is going to "rise on the third day" and snag the halo. I know I'll vote for her. I suggest a tea cup and saucer for her.

       1. Yes. Maybe she has a "treasured up" and "hidden" "great deed" up her sleeve that will miraculously close the gap. If not, I would definitely buy a Julian tea cup and saucer.

       2. Very interesting!

       3. Thanks, Davis, for the address. Yes, let's keep in touch. I hope you will find yourself relieved of your stressful situation soon.

          And St. Celia, whatever do you mean, you are not a real saint? You know better than that!

          1. Just don't tell the owls . . . .

          2. Your comments have helped me to gain insights into what is important. Thank you for sharing.

       4. Thanks for being part of this community, Sarah - 15 years old. I have looked forward to seeing your comments and knowing that you're "out there" wrestling with these decisions each day with the rest of us. As you go about your year, know that we are "out there" as well, and that you have a special place in this wacky, wonderfully wise and wishful fellowship. You will be in my prayers!

17. This years was so hard, everyone who was in the running this year all impacted severely on our lives to day. I both loved Bonhoeffer and Julian of Norwich, I loved how Julian thought of small things, being also very big, and I loved how Bonhoeffer cared so much for Christian community and every other religion. But my vote for the golden halo this year was....... Bonhoeffer!!!!! There are so many ways why I would of voted for Julian, but the reason that drove to to voting for Bonhoeffer was that he risked his life for all those people who wanted to keep there faith in there own religion. An I also loved how he was a spy for both sides. Thank you for making this years lent madness so fun.

    ~Sarah- 15 years old

18. I love everything about DB...but in these times, I pray for "all things to be well." My vote goes to Julian.

19. Apparently the saints never rest from their labors. They are still with us. Thanks be to God. Amen
    Ntathu

20. I am voting after a full day of living into my new vocation as a deacon. The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer inspires me in my work. Yet, I find that I can't help but vote for Julian of Norwich. A life of prayer and a clear vision of God's love and grace encompassing all of creation seems to me a very necessary foundation for any attempt to live into God's kingdom.

21. Although we've been doing this for years, it seems that the lessons at tonite's Tenebrae service hit home so much more deeply than in the past. At least a dozen years ago, our former rector instituted the change from the traditional lessons to readings from Bonhoeffer's Life Together, MLK, Jr's Letter from the Birmingham Jail, and from the sermons of Abp Oscar Romero. (That rector is now the Bp of NH... thanks, Rob!)

    My introduction to the Lady Julian came with my introduction to the Episcopal Church 30+ years ago, and she has rescued me more than once with her promise that all shall be well. But my vote goes to Dietrich, for all the reasons cited by so many of you today. He is the saint we need in these times; may we aspire to his courage, just as we find hope in the words of Julian.

22. Will you allow these two candidates to share the Golden Halo this year???

23. I've been participating in Lent Madness since 2012 and definitely feel this is the best year yet. Many thanks to everyone - particularly the SEC, Celebrity Bloggers, and commenter community!

    1. Agree with you, Lucy. The match-ups have given us a lot of food for thought as we consider the virtues of all of these worthy saints.
       I really want both of the finalists for the Golden Halo to split the honor this year!

24. I voted for Dietrich Bonhoeffer in memory of my Dad, Ronald Francis Soviero. He began studying his writings in the last years of his life and they made a significant impact on him and his approach to life, people and how he lived each day. I miss Dad dearly and see him smiling in heaven knowing how much I have grown in my faith from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings and example!

25. Maybe next year, Thurgood Marshall?

26. I'm already suffering from Lent Madness Withdrawal Syndrome. May we please have Easter, Ordinary, Advent, Christmas and more Ordinary Madness.... I don't think I can wait another year. It has been a blessing to spend this Lent with all of you. Thank you. Joy and Alleluia to all of you and prayers for peace all over the world.

27. After an entire day of dithering, I will go with Bonhoeffer. His example is most timely in light of recent events. A difficult choice to be sure as Julian's prayers are always on my lips and I always seek to emulate her faith. I'd love to see a gold and silver halo awarded. (hint, hint)

    Thanks SEC and CBs and everyone else who has a hand in my all-time favorite Lenten devotion!

28. Bonhoeffer. His words, his actions during WW2, and his courage which I think is needed for today. Thank you, Beth for today's quote. I agree with Brenda McH that there are parallels between his story and what this week is about. I also vote for the beer stein. All will be well.

29. Thank you to the entire team at Lent Madness and to all my fellow participants and voters for another fun-filled faith walk through Lent. I always learn so much, and I thank God for you and all His Saints. I eagerly await the results of the election. Have a Blessed Easter.

30. Thank you SEC for giving Bonhoeffer a second chance in LM! It appears this is his year. As we prepare for the Great Easter Feast, this quote from DB's book Life Together, says much to the LM community. "As the members of the congregation are united in body and blood at the table of the Lord so will they be together in eternity."