Only in Lent Madness will you find a 19th century pioneering bishop squaring off against a 12th century monk. Which, you guessed it, is precisely what we have today as Henry Beard Delany faces Aelred of Rievaulx in the second matchup of Lent Madness 2017.
In yesterday's "Ash Thursday" kickoff, Stephen soundly defeated Alban, 62% to 38% in heavy voting. Indeed, with over 9,600 total votes cast a new Lent Madness turnout record was set! We also love that over 450 people added comments to the post. With his victory, Stephen became the first saint to advance to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen, where he'll face the winner of Henry Budd vs. Cecilia. Somewhere Bob Dylan is singing, "Everybody must get stoned."
Still wondering how to keep up with all the players saints? You need a Saintly Scorecard 2017! While the paper book has passed into the realm of collectors' items, the ebook is available. Pick one up for your Kindle or iPad today! For only $2.99 you'll have the inside track on all things Lent Madness!
Finally, in case you've ever been kept up at night wondering about the inner workings of the Supreme Executive Committee, you're in luck! Tim and Scott recently appeared on the popular Priest Pulse podcast. In addition to discussing all things Lent Madness, they even touch on the roots of their longstanding feud. Enjoy!
Henry Beard Delany
Born a slave into a Methodist household in Georgia, Henry Beard Delany was freed at the end of the Civil War. As a teenager, Delany moved to Florida with his family, where he learned bricklaying and carpentry. Delany received a scholarship from a local Episcopal parish to attend St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina—a college founded by Episcopal clergy to educate emancipated African-Americans.
Delany studied music and theology, joining the faculty after graduation and teaching building trades. Together, he and his students built the chapel, library, and hospital for the college. He attended an Episcopal church and was ordained a deacon in 1889 and priest in 1892. Upon his ordination, Delany became the vice-principal of the college. His wife Nanny Logan, also an alumna of St. Augustine’s, taught and served as matron at the college. They had ten children, including noted authors Sadie and Bessie Delany. During the later part of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth century, the southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church were wrestling with the status of African-Americans within the church. While there were historic African-American congregations—like St. Ambrose where Delany was nurtured and ordained—they were routinely refused full parish status due to fears that a sizeable block of African-American delegates to diocesan conventions might upset the status quo.
Delany was part of the Commission for Work among Colored People, the leading association of African-American clergy and lay leaders in the Episcopal Church. In 1908, he was appointed as Archdeacon for Negro Work in the Diocese of North Carolina. When the church decided to maintain segregated missionary districts for African-Americans, Delany was unanimously elected by the diocesan convention as Suffragan Bishop for Negro Work. On November 21, 1918, he was consecrated bishop in the chapel at St. Augustine College—a house of worship he had designed and helped to build with his own hands. He worked tirelessly throughout the Carolinas, planting and nurturing African-American congregations until his death on April 14, 1928.
Collect for Henry Beard Delany
Almighty God who frees your people with a mighty hand and outstretched arm: Grant strength to all your servants who, inspired by the example and prayers of Henry Beard Delany, hold fast, bearing witness to the truth of your love and justice in the face of oppression; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Aelred of Rievaulx
Aelred of Rievaulx was born in northern England in 1110. Thanks to a biography written shortly after his death, much is known about his life and travels.
After spending several years at the court of King David I of Scotland, Aelred entered the Cistercian abbey of Rievaulx, in Yorkshire, at the age of 24. In 1147, Aelred was elected abbot and led the abbey through a period of growth and expansion, growing the abbey to about 140 monks and 500 laymen.
A prolific writer who authored several volumes on spirituality, Aelred is also remembered as a tireless traveler and political negotiator. In addition to visiting the abbey’s five daughter-houses in England and Scotland, he also traveled annually to the general chapter of the Cistercians at Cîteaux (France). In 1138, he traveled to the Scottish border to help negotiate the transfer of a castle to King David of Scotland. Four years later, he traveled to Rome for an audience with Pope Innocent II as part of a group who opposed the election of William, King Stephen’s nephew, as Archbishop of York.
Aelred’s writings include histories and biographies, spiritual treatises, and sermons. For his talents as both an author and a church manager, Aelred has been called the “St. Bernard of the North” (in reference to Bernard of Clairvaux, a French Cistercian abbot). Although never formally canonized, he has been venerated as a saint since the 1400s. His feast is marked in the calendars of various churches on January 12, the traditional date of his death.
After reading his correspondence and a biography by a fellow monk, author John Boswell and a few other scholars have suggested that Aelred may have been gay. Because of this conjecture, and inspired by Aelred’s writings on friendship, Integrity U.S.A. and some other LGBT organizations have adopted Aelred as their patron saint, as well.
Collect for Aelred of Rievaulx
Almighty God, you endowed the abbot Aelred with the gift of Christian friendship and the wisdom to lead others in the way of holiness: Grant to your people that same spirit of mutual affection, that, in loving one another, we may know the love of Christ and rejoice in the gift of your eternal goodness; through the same Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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338 comments on “Henry Beard Delany vs. Aelred of Rievaulx”
SEC, this matchup is way out of whack! Of course Henry Beard Delany is going to win, and overwhelmingly. I voted for him myself. Aelred sounds cool, though, and I wish there'd been more details on him. I see that many commenters refer to his writings on friendship. Would love to have seen some quotes from those.
I voted for Delaney because of his perseverance. It could not have been easy after the Civil War to make your mark.
Bless the Delaney Sisters
Both so worthy, but Henry must get my vote. His story is a somewhat painful reminder of the time when my beloved and welcoming church struggled with the presence of African Americans in their congregations. That is worth remembering in these troubled times. Very humbling. God Bless Henry for his struggles. But love to Aelred; we could all use more of the spirit of "Christian Friendship" in our world.
Delaney was a gimme for a NC Episcopalian. I enjoyed learning about him.
This Carolina girl is voting for Bishop Hammerin' Hank.
"Fight the good fight of faith, that you might finish your course with joy." This familiar blessing came to mind as I read Bp. Delany's bio and marveled at this man's strength, courage and faithfulness is spite of odds more daunting than I can imagine.
voted for Delany - liked that he took advantage of the educational opportunities presented to him AND, of course, glad to have Oliver back! (who must be at least 12 by now!!!)
Bishop Delany, in addition to being the father of Bessie and Sadie Delany, is the grandfather of noted science fiction author Samuel R. Delany, author of the classics Babel-17 and Stars in my Pocket Like Grains of Sand. Read them as well as Bessie and Sadie's Having Our Say.
Bishop Delany, in addition to being the father of Bessie and Sadie Delany, is the grandfather of noted science fiction author Samuel R. Delany, author of the classics Babel-17 and Stars in my Pocket Like Grains of Sand. Read them as well as Bessie and Sadie's Having Our Say.
Second day of voting, and already a tough one. HBD gets my vote, but Aelred got my attention.
We are sadly minus our seminary bracket - anxiously watching the mail (???)
Give Forward Movement a call (800-543-1813) and the friendly folks can track it down for you.
REMEMBER READING THE DELANEY SISTERS .AND NOW TO BE INTRODUCED TO THEIR ADMIRABLE FATHER...but ... I MUST GO FURTHER BACK IN HISTORY TO ALERED...
I voted for Delaney partly because he remained a loyal member of the Episcopal Church despite it's oppression of African Americans. In this day, when the response to disagreement is to leave, he is an example of what can be accomplished when you stay, and do the holy work placed before you. I admire him greatly for that.
I whole heartedly agree with Tammie. Aelred is decided the more inspiring for me, but I know he doesn't have a chance over Delany. Medieval saints hardly every win over their more modern opponents. This is definitely not a fair match. Poor Aelred doesn't even have a good picture! How is he suppose to compete!? He at least got my vote.
The Right Reverend Delaney taught that living in Christ matters more than where you live, and works and faith go hand in hand. Aelred had great political skills and was a community leader, but have to hand this up to the Bishop
What an impressive mission to the African-American congregations! Delany gets my vote without a pause.
Tough call, and a abit of an odd matchup, but such is life in the early rounds. Henry Beard Delany's story is quite inspirational. The pirate angle is enticing too. Plus thanks to the comments I know have a book on request at the Library "Having our Say"
I had to vote for a man who was born into slavery, was faithful to his church in spite of its flaws, worked tirelessly for Christ and was eventually ordained bishop in the chapel he had helped to build with his own hands. Besides, I read "Having Our Say" years ago and was so impressed with his daughters. It isn't mentioned here, but as I recall, all ten of those children earned college degrees. I agree that Nanny deserves a shining halo of her own!
Henry Delaney, since I know someone who taught at St. Augustine! But a tough choice.
Both competitors worked to hard to increase God's church in their own ways. I had to give my vote to Aelred because of his political and diplomatic skills and amazing that we know all this given it was the 12th century. I had to honor the LGBT issue, and by doing so, to honor some wonderful clergy that I know and love.
So far I'm 2 for 2, voting for the losing side. I'm voting for Aelred because he was an early cleric who did a lot for the church and for those around him. He thought towards the future.
An odd matchup. I liked both of them immensely; I ultimately voted for Delaney because of the lovely mix of skills he had and the wonderful things he accomplished using these skills. God +hand skills = a winner for me.
The Brit lost yesterday, so voted for him today. Support the underdog.
This was a really tough match-up. In the end, I gave my vote to Aelred, who wrote so beautifully about the gift of friendship. His words are immortal and can inspire us in these times. "Charity may be a very short word, but with its tremendous meaning of pure love, it sums up man's entire relation to God and to his neighbor."
Henry Beard Delaney!!!
Yes, I think it has to be Delany. He is a much better reminder that the Church needs to fight against racism and other forms of discrimination here and now. Thank you so much for making me think carefully!
I admire Delany, not only for his devoted ministry to African-Americans, but also for his loyalty to the Episcopal Church. Over the years, people close to me have left the EC for various reasons, and gone to other churches. I don't judge them for that. God leads different people in different directions. But Delany, in spite of the Episcopal Church's frequently sinful treatment of African-Americans, stayed faithful to it. This moved me very much because, for all it's faults, I love it still.
I was tempted by Aelred, but in the end went with Delaney. My dad was a brick mason, but more importantly, the Church was afraid those "Negro churches" would upset the status quo - and who hasn't wished for that!
I could certainly wish our churches would upset the status quo a whole lote more. That would probably have a wider appeal and be truer to the message of the Gospels,
I am sad that Alban wasn't the winner! His story was so dramatic, so fascinating, if a tad bizarre, (heads rolling...) well I must press on nevertheless and see if my vote goes better this week...
As a proud mother of gay and straight children, I had to vote for Aelred!