Welcome to the Saintly Sixteen! From 32 saints we have narrowed the field to 16. For this round, rather than the basic biographical information we enter the realm of Quirks and Quotes. Our Celebrity Bloggers will provide unusual information or legends surrounding their saints along with quotes either by or about their saints.
Don't forget, you can always go to the Bracket Tab to easily find previous battles if you need to refresh your basic knowledge on these saints. This is yet another free courtesy extended to you, the Lent Madness Global Public.
Today we kick things off with Stephen, the Church's protomartyr vs. the Canadian Henry Budd. At stake? The Elate Eight.
Yesterday in another close contest, Fanny Crosby defeated G.F. Handel 53% to 47% to claim the last remaining spot in the Saintly Sixteen. Speaking of which, the Saintly Sixteen begins RIGHT NOW! Time to vote...
Stephen
On the day following Christmas, Christians move from hearing the stories of the Christ child to hearing the account of the death of Saint Stephen. The connection between Christmas and the first martyr of the church does not seem to be an accident. The Golden Legend proclaims that “Yesterday Christ was born in earth, that this day Stephen should be born in heaven.”
The date (December 26 in the West, December 27 in the East) of Stephen’s commemoration was observed very early, and could have been the actual day of his death, the day his remains were discovered and transferred, or simply an observation that nothing says “Christmas” like a good public stoning – in fact, in Germany the day is sometimes called “second Christmas.”
Regardless of the reason for the date, the remembrance of Deacon Stephen as a servant of the poor caused a particular 10th century Bohemian royal to head out into the deep, crisp, and even snow to provide for a local peasant – a journey memorialized by John Mason Neale’s carol, “Good King Wenceslaus.” The last line of that carol is a witness to the work of Stephen as one of the first Deacons: “Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.”
What we know of Stephen’s life comes to us in the brief account of Acts 6 and 7. But the legend of Stephen continues the story – in death, Stephen’s work was not done. According to the Golden Legend, Stephen sent none other than Gamaliel to arouse a priest in Jerusalem to come and uncover his remains.
Augustine of Hippo devotes an entire chapter of his Confessions to the miracles attributed to Stephen when his relics were in North Africa. These included the healing of wounds, blind gaining sight, and numerous accounts of raising the dead.
The remains of Stephen eventually wound up at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls – the resting place of Saint Lawrence, one of the first seven deacons of the church in Rome. Apparently, Lawrence was excited to welcome the first martyr of the church and the patron saint of deacons. When Stephen’s remains were brought there, the remains of Lawrence “as if enjoying his coming and smiling” moved over on their own accord to make room for Stephen.
In the book of Acts, Stephen preaches the longest of the sermons recorded in that book – a sermon which ends with the accusation of his hearers: “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit.” Stephen’s honesty is commendable, as is the realization that it directly leads to his martyrdom.
Preaching on St. Stephen’s Day, Kaj Munk draws out the Christmas connection of Stephen’s martyrdom: “True Christmas joy, no matter how much or how little of it you comprehend, means that you go where He wants you to go.”
Henry Budd
The Rev. Henry Budd was the first First Nation person in North America to be ordained in the Anglican Church, and he spent most of his ministry in the Canadian west in an area commonly known as The Pas. Some of Henry Budd’s journals have been preserved, giving us a vision of the challenging ministry in the 19th century in the wilderness.
Budd’s ministry for Christ thrived because he lived with and loved the people he served. He writes of a typical day in August: “The whole week have been devoted to the hay, and our hay is nearly all done. More canoes have arrived. In the evening assembled the people in the Schoolroom for prayer and praise.” He worked with those he served and love, and prayed with them.
Life in ministry is not without challenges. Budd shares his frustration on the Sunday after Christmas: “The Lord’s-day [and] We went over to the Fort at the usual time, in hopes that we would have as good a congregation as we had yesterday, but I found but few that were in a fit state for the worship of God. The greater part of them had been drinking the whole of last night, and of course were unfit this morning for the service of God. They have lost a sermon this day on account of the rum, and who can say whether they will have the opportunity of hearing another? There were, however, some of them who attended, and were present at the morning service.”
The day-to-day tasks of Budd’s ministry are entwined together with longer entries reflecting his deep faith in Christ. “I always think that it is time that I should do something, while in perfect health and strength, to make manifest my gratitude and love to that God, who, I can truly say, has been so good to me all my life…. But by the grace of God alone, we have succeeded in our object in a great measure.
The Rev. Henry Budd died after over 35 years of dedicated ministry. A member of the Cree tribe, reflecting on Budd’s death, shared, “sorry does not express what we felt. My own father died some years ago, but when Mr. Budd died, I felt for the first time what it meant to be an orphan.”
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160 comments on “Stephen vs. Henry Budd”
Henry Budd is surely worthy and I am glad to learn about him, but as a deacon, my loyalty is to one of the first deacons - Stephen!
It was the moving over of St Lawrence's bones that sealed the deal for Stephen!
Voted for Henry despite Stephen’s many claims on my devotion, both as a saint whose feast day is an integral part of the Twelve Days of Christmas and as one who serves as the namesake or patron of so many people whose lives have touched and blessed my own. Gotta love the tall tale about the bones of St. Lawrence spontaneously moving to make room for Stephen’s relics. A bit of popular religion with a deep appeal to me. However, Henry’s ministry, eloquently attested in his journals, illustrates the determination of a missionary to share his lot with that of those he seeks to win for Christ, the hallmark of any life of authentic service. Moreover, as members of the First Nations, Henry and his converts also illustrate the struggle to live in a sacred manner on “this fragile earth, our island home.” Their example speaks to our contemporary situation, where the earth is too often degraded in the pursuit of profit at any cost. On this round my reverence for the written word further tips the scale in Henry’s favor: the writing of journals honors the past, strengthens the present, and plants our hope in the future.
Other than his many saintly attributes, anyone who inspires his burial mate to move over gets my vote. Maybe he could become my patron saint of getting my husband and chocolate lab to move their bones over at night!
Had to go with Henry Budd. The faithful remnant on a Christmas morning, the nearly empty church, the sermon written for all those ears not there ...
St. Stephen, for his work distributing charity to underserved poor widows -- an example much needed today -- and because he chose martyrdom. He's the patron saint of horses, too. And I went to St. Stephen's in Schenectady as a girl.
Henry Budd is a powerful example of Servant leadership; however, as a Deacon I have to go with Stephen who was the first to model Servant leadership. I also love that he was martyred for his preaching, not for serving the Greek widows.
David, that's a wonderful write-up on Stephen! Almost persuaded me to abandon Henry Budd.
Stephen clearly made an impression on others during his brief time as a deacon in the early church. But mostly he is celebrated as the first martyr of the early church. Most likely St. Luke composed his eloquent last words. Henry Budd who bore the cross for many years in the most challenging circumstances and against all odds. My vote is with the first First Nation person ordained in the Anglican Church.
It's also possible (even likely) that Luke learned of Stephen's "eloquent last words" from Paul, who was present at the stoning, and almost certainly heard the sermon. Luke and Paul were very close associates.
I accidentally hit the "vote" button twice but the first time, I hit the "See Votes" at the same time, so not sure if one or two registered. If it was two, mea culpa and I apologize to the web master. It's Stephen for me!! Let's go St. Stephen!!!
I must echo Gretchen's words of the need to stand with the indigenous people of the land at this time when once again the white invaders of their land are trying to destroy their sacred land. My vote goes to Henry!
I feel the renown Saints such as Stephen have got plenty of attention. My heart and vote go to those lesser known saints, the ones with attributes more attainable.
Someone referred to Budd as a bi-vocational minister - an accurate enough description. However, that phrase got me to thinking more. As Christians we are all uni-vocational. Whatever work we may do, our call is to do it for Christ. So I imagine that Henry Budd's work in the fields bringing in the sheaves, as it were, was as effective in his ministry as his work in cassock and stole. I suspect that he didn't make a difference in his own mind between one work and another as it was all about the love of God shared with those around him. Hoping I can learn more and more from that example and live it better.
Went with the First Nations guy. But I found a curious coincidence in the fact that Stephen is celebrated on the day after Christmas, and Budd says that on that day, there were "few [of his people] that were in a fit state for ... worship" because "the greater part of them had been drinking the whole of last night," i.e., presumably Christmas. (Or did I read that wrong?) Firewater has been the curse of First Nations ever since the "white man" gave it to them.
And speaking of the Feast of St Stephen being celebrated the day after Christmas, can anyone tell me why history's most infamous infanticide is "celebrated" the third day after Christmas?
The Feast of Stephen is not</em< after Christmas. Christmas has 12 Days! The slaughter of the innocents by Herod falls during the 12 Days I suspect because it happened within the first two years of the life of Christ. And the angelic warning of the coming massacre is why Joseph, Mary, & Jesus fled to Egypt when they did.
As I understand it, "Christmas" with no further specification usually refers to Christmas *Day*, and the 12 days are referred to as Christmas*tide*. Thanks for the explanation of Holy Innocents. Auden's play "For the time being" has a marvelous monologue by Herod in which he complains about being forced by historical circumstance into being the bad guy when he really just wants to be a nice guy. (I think he falls somewhat short.)
". . . no matter how much or how little of it you comprehend, means that you go where He wants you to go.” Stephen.
The orphan comment got me. I went with Henry, but we shall see who the victor is ....
Stephen's wonderful prayer for forgiveness for his tormentors, following the example of his Lord, convinces me to cast my vote for him. That is far more important than all the flowery legends which grew up about him, like weeds apparently.
Moving through the process for the vocational Diaconate, and I'd love a St. Stephen mug for that late-night study coffee. Ride or die to the golden halo.
Great comments today! While Henry Budd is very tempting and special.... I attend St. Stephen's in Cohasset.... so he is our guy! I'm loving the bios every day. Learning so much and being inspired along the way.
Bones making way for bones! I love it! Stephen for the win!
Certainly Stephen deserved sainthood, but much of what we know about him is legend. We know more about Budd, however, and his real-life commitment to Christ and dedication to the Cree people in difficult circumstances earns my vote.
A tough choice, I really like Henry Budd's story, but in the end........go Team Deacon!
I chose Stephen and also I was confirmed at St Stephen's Lutheran Church in Michigan.
Great admiration for Henry Budd; but voted for Steven because I felt he faced the greater danger during his ministry. He also paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Going with the unsung heros this year!
Henry's regard for the people he served really strikes me today. What a distinction between his attitude and approach to the Cree and that of the Franciscan friars led by Serra towards California Indians. I'm a Mission docent and I struggle with the profound disdain expressed by many of the Spanish missionaries towards those they came to "save."
I supported both of these holy folk in the first round, so this is tough. What clinched it for me was Laurie Brock's nod to St Stephen in her Quirks & Quotes for Henry Budd. She chose a journal entry on the day after Christmas (when most of the congregation was absent due to hangovers after Christmas festivities) when Budd preached to a tiny group on the Feast Day of St Stephen. Your craft there, Laurie, won me over to vote Henry Budd.
It was "the Sunday after Christmas" so it probably was not the Feast of St. Stephen, not that it matters.
I thought about that, Elaine. But it seems clear to me that the rum-soaked celebrations preceding the Sunday after Christmas were more associated with Christmas than a typical Saturday night. So I inferred that Christmas had been on a Saturday that year, and the Sunday after Christmas was the day after Christmas, thus St Stephen's Day. A logical leap of faith, as it were 😉
Wouldn't the First Sunday after Christmas be the Sunday after the Epiphany?
Another really tough match-up. There is so much to be inspired by in Henry's faithful life and ministry but I ultimately decided to honor the good work of all dedicated deacons by casting a vote for their patron saint.
Comments changed my vote. Hurray for pastors who love God's people. Henry Budd.
I'm a longtime admirer of Stephen and I hope he goes far in he competition. His solution for diffusing diaconal conflicts is both genius and the perfect implementation of Jesus's teachings and where Stephen truly shines is in his sermon. Following Jesus's death, after a long spell huddled away waiting for the whistle from the Spirit, the disciples emerge and Stephen delivers that remarkable sermon. In essence, Stephen delivers the history of the Jews in a new light: a New Conenant, a New Testament and it's happened right here, right now in the man Jesus Christ. Imagine that time of spiritual bewilderment as key disciples were discerning who really Jesus actually was and what that meant for the Judaism. Transitioning from Temple-centered sacrificial worship to ......? What was happening? Our boy, Stephen, empowered by the Spirit lays it out for us in his history lesson informed by the birth and death of Jesus the Messiah. What a THING Stephen did that day!
Go Stephen!
Well said, Linda!