In the penultimate (we love that word here at Lent Madness) matchup of the first round, it's Frances Joseph-Gaudet facing off against John Mason Neale. Six names, two saints, only one will emerge victorious and advance to the next round.
Yesterday Vida Dutton Scudder skated to an easy win over F.D. Maurice, 72% to 28%. She'll face Clare of Assisi in the Saintly Sixteen.
Stay tuned for a special "Tuesday Edition" of Monday Madness in which Tim and Scott wax eloquent(ish) on a variety of Lent Madness topics. It will be epic, as usual.
And finally, if you live in a Super Tuesday state, make your first and most important vote right here at Lent Madness, before heading out to those other polls.
Frances Joseph-Gaudet
Frances Joseph-Gaudet was born 1861 in Holmesville, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. Of Native American and African American parentage, she moved to New Orleans to pursue her education at Straight College. She breathed fire into every aspect of her calling: as an educator, single mother, social worker, principal, philanthropist, and Christian.
Joseph-Gaudet was a game changer in the world of African American prisoners and youth. She sought reform in the conditions and educational opportunities in prisons, and she brought clothes to the incarcerated. Joseph- Gaudet would often attend the juvenile courts, taking responsibility for youth offenders by bringing them into her home. Joseph-Gaudet wrapped these children and mothers in her love and care, giving them a chance at a better life.
When her home became too small for the number of individuals she brought home from the courts, she purchased a small farm that became the Gaudet Colored Normal and Industrial School. Joseph-Gaudet served as its principal until she donated it to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana where it remained a school until the early 1950s. The building later reopened as the Gaudet Episcopal Home in 1954, as an African American children’s home. In 1966, it closed its doors permanently, but the proceeds from the sale of the land continues to fund scholarships for African American children pursuing higher education.
Joseph-Gaudet later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she died on December 30, 1934. The Episcopal Church added Joseph-Gaudet to the calendar of saints in 2006 for her work in bringing a voice to all people—black, white, old, and young—in the prisons of the South.
Collect for Frances Joseph-Gaudet
Merciful God, who raised up your servant Frances Joseph-Gaudet to work for prison reform and the education of her people: Grant that we, encouraged by the example of her life, may work for those who are denied the fullness of life by reasons of incarceration and lack of access to education; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
John Mason Neale
John Mason Neale, the prince of hymn translators, was born in the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, to an evangelical family in 1818. Neale was deeply influenced by the Oxford Movement, which stressed the apostolic character of the Church of England and sought to put it back in touch with its historical roots. Neale’s imagination was sparked by the vision of a church in touch with the medieval past and alive with the beauty of ornament, architecture, and song.
Neale was ordained a deacon in 1841, but his bishop refused to grant Neale a position based on his theological positions. After finally being ordained a priest, Neale was eventually appointed warden of Sackville College, a home for the elderly poor, in 1846. Refurbishing the chapel from his personal funds, he installed open pews, a rood screen, and two candles and a cross for the altar.
The Bishop of Chichester, offended by this “spiritual haberdashery,” inhibited Neale from functioning as a priest. Stymied, Neale threw himself into translating and writing, while also founding the Sisterhood of Saint Margaret. There were multiple riots because of his theological and liturgical beliefs between 1848 and 1866. His inhibition was formally withdrawn in 1863. Three years later, Neale died from exhaustion at the age of forty-eight on August 6, 1866.
Neale believed deeply in imagination and beauty as pathways to the holy. He won the Setonian Prize for Poetry at Cambridge ten years in a row, and while other members of the Oxford Movement had drawn attention to the old Latin hymns, Neale translated them with a beauty and vigor unsurpassed. Furthermore, he was the first to look eastward and to translate hymns from the great store of Eastern Orthodox materials. Neale communicated his faith with doctrines for the mind, beauty for the senses, and songs for the heart.
Collect for John Mason Neale
Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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218 comments on “Frances Joseph-Gaudet vs. John Mason Neale”
My church follows the principles of the Oxford movement and has for much of its 150 years. Neale has my vote, even though I am a huge supporter of prison reform too. Tough call.
Please, ca someone PLEASE explain to me the reccuring reason/thought process/rationale that is behind looking ot see who's losig and voting for "the underdog"?
They're all saints, all are worthy, so what's wrong with championing the "least of these"? It's Lent MADNESS!
I tend to have a hunch who is going to be popular and I vote for the other one (usually). It feels subversive in a fun way. I do the same with my measly proxy votes based on shares I own of companies. When their annual meetings are approaching, I go in and vote the opposite of the board of directors recommendations on every single position and question. I don't do this in actual public elections nor expect ever to swing a vote with my shenanigans.
I only do that if I totally want to vote for both saints (but am faithful to the rules -- only one vote per voter!). That way I CAN vote for both -- I can vote for the underdog first, and then for the winner in the next round.
Neale for me today.
Another Mary vs Martha situation. Usually I side with Martha. I think she just has bad pr. Somebody has to "do the dishes." This time I am voting with "Mary"---Neale. All the doers need the beauty of environment, music, and words to feed their souls and keep them centered in God.
Amen!
I voted for Frances because we talked about busting through barriers in EfM last night.
The struggle for justice has its own beauty.
Ugh! Another apples vs. oranges contest! But much as Neale's bio makes my grateful heart sing, I have to stand by the Mississippi girl (my home by choice) ... to do what she did would have been tough enough for any woman in that time and place, let alone one who would have been shunned by most in the white, black, and red communities. Wow! You go girl!
Would you have followed your singing heart if Neale had been from Mississippi?
Toughest call among many other tough calls during this season of Lent Madness. As a church "musician" (and I use that term loosely), I am drawn to Neale and on another day might vote differently, but today, Joseph-Gaudet gets this criminal defense lawyer's vote. Her advocacy for those who our society generally wishes would just go away carries this day. Recognize that those "bad" people are created in God's image just like us "good" people? See the need and address it? What a concept! What an example!
Even though i am a Director of Music Ministries, I have to vote for Frances - she reached to the poor and the lowly at a time when such activity was not common. Well done, good lady!
Thanks to all those who posted WHAT Neale translated. Some of my favorites are in there. Despite my love of music and the inspiring writeup, however, I have to go with Joseph-Gaudet, because she got things done despite all the roadblocks against her.
I was for Joseph-Gaudet until I checked to see what hymns Neale wrote. Why weren't some included in his bio?
So much beauty has come to us through him. He gets my vote.
Frances sold me when I read she was a social worker.
I was leaning toward Frances, but I decided to go with Neale because I feel closest to God during service when singing hymns, so thanks, Neale, for providing me with a bit of Heaven during the liturgy!
I feel like I am the only person on the face of the earth who does not like hymns or sung liturgy. Ita fiat. I am very grateful that my church has an 8:00 service on Sundays which celebrates the Rite I spoken mass with no music. This encourages me to concentrate on the liturgy without wondering if I'll be able to actually sing the hymns.
Joseph-Gaudet got my vote for the way she preached the Gospel of our Lord in her actions. While music and poetry are very important in life, I believe that physical needs must be met before the beauty of hymns or poems can be fully appreciated.
I am not a singer. I would love to have just a spoken mass but my church is little and only one service.
My heart is moved by Gaudet, but I have to vote for beauty. Art, artists, music, poetry - these are all foundational to a life of both prayer and of action. We take these things as society too much for granted, or discount their importance entirely. It is a great artistic and religious tradition for the "outsiders" to take up the voice of the people and to give it shape, form and music. It is amazing how much oppression there is from simply expressing thought and belief. I am grateful to Neale for taking a stand and for persevering in his work.
Myra, you articulated what is in my heart. Beauty is often overlooked--and has been overlooked--as an important part of human life. It slips in through the eyes and ears and goes straight to the heart. A person's age may change the idea of what is beautiful, but beauty itself is universal.
And lest we start thinking that music plays no part in efforts toward social justice and concern for others, remember "We Shall Overcome" is based on a hymn.
Again, you had me at social worker!
Thank you for introducing me to Vita Dutton Scudder and Frances Joseph-Gaudet. I am glad to make the acquaintance of these two powerful women.
In the struggle between forms of religion and personal taking in the downtrodden, I must go with Gaudet. Neale's work may be better known by more people as the hymns he translated are sung, Being worn out in 40 years is worthy of a Martyr's crown, The Golden Halo goes to one born in the lowest, but rose above in order to help others in lowly estate.
What a tough choice. Today for the first time I'm going to visit a prisoner in our local prison as part of our church group, so I voted for Frances-Gaudet. She really exemplifies what a Christian life should be. The hymns translated by Neale are among the most beautiful, and really move my soul. Wish I could vote for him, too.
As a member of a church that now meets in a community theater (St. Alban's, Arlington, TX) because our former church home was taken away by an"orthodox" Anglican bishop, I know and appreciate the importance of making holy space each Sunday, and I experience the power of music to create that worshiping and rejoicing atmosphere. I had to cast my vote and give thanks for Neale, while also appreciating Gaudet's important work.
It is the hymns of the church that grabbed me for God at a very early age, taught me theology long before I went to seminary, and continue to educate and sustain my spiritual and practical life!
One has to admire Frances for her good works, but the very special hymns translated by Neale inspired me to vote for his contributions. Creator of the Stars of Night, Of the Father's Love Begotten etc., add so much to our worship!
Although I have incredible respect for the work of Ms. Scudder, I just cannot resist a man who made such a major contribution to the wonderful music we have in the church. Admitted bias: Also a long-time choir singer.
What Frances Joseph-Gaudet did is amazing and yet, so many of the wonderful saints that we have seen so far have also done amazing things for the poor and disadvantaged. What Neale did is a different type of amazing, one that we haven't been able to honor too much in this year's contest and so I am voting for him.
OOPS! Wrong contestant, sorry. Brain is on major virus - apologies.
I voted for Mr. Neale today and I thank God for the blessings of the Oxford Movement that influenced him. As, oft the only Anglo-Catholic in the room, I am greatful for the sacrifices he made for his commitment to a liturgical experience that open us up fully to the experience of God.
In the next round, I will have the opportunity to vote for Madam Frances and her inspired work with disenfranchised.
I voted for Neale in honor of my husband and everyone who has been delayed in their process to ordination but persevered in their call.
Another struggle. Perhaps I'm remembering through rose colored glasses, but I don't recall the choices being so difficult in last year's early rounds. How not to choose a writer of such incredible hymns, which should have been mentioned by name in the bio? How not to choose a woman who dedicated her life to prison reform, going so far as to house the former prisoners. I went with Frances.
I certainly admire the faith in action Frances, but this long time choir member and grateful lover of the Oxford Movement, had to vote for Neale.
I have discovered, (partially through Lent Madness), that there have been many astonishing people who have done amazing things despite a background of poverty and/or discrimination. Some of their contributions last for many years. How does one weigh those contributions to our civilization or our lives , trying to live out our Baptismal Vows? Gaudet is an inspirational figure. Neale's contributions are transcendent. My vote is for Neale.