A day after Stephen became the first saint to make it to the Faithful Four, by defeating Augustine of Canterbury 62% to 38%, the Elate Eight rolls on!
Today it's Martin Luther taking on Florence Nightingale in a matchup featuring two saintly heavyweights of kitsch. To make it to this point, Martin defeated David Oakerhater and Joseph Schereschewsky while Florence got the best of Anselm of Canterbury and Henry Beard Delany.
Yes, folks, March Madness may be done (congrats to the North Caroline Tar Heels) but Lent Madness is just heating up!
Martin Luther
Martin Luther loved life! He loved to drink beer. He loved to eat. And, he loved to wrestle with his faith with other clever, inquisitive people.
As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the creation of Martin Luther kitsch (or lovely commemorative keepsakes, depending upon your perspective) has cranked up.
If you make the pilgrimage to Wittenberg, Germany you’ll certainly want to taste some of their famous Luther Biere which you may drink from a Luther stein!
And, since you wouldn’t want to drink too much beer on an empty stomach, you might as well purchase some Luther wurst topped off by Lutherbrodt (Luther bread) for dessert.
Of course, you’ll want to bring home a souvenir or two from your sojourn. There are plenty of t-shirts to be found, as in any town catering to tourists. 
But, for something truly special, you’ll stand proudly in your “Here I Stand” socks. Or, for warmer weather, Luther flip flops.
Scholars may think that Brother Martin never actually stated “Here I Stand, I can do no other” at the Diet of Worms, but it is popular and we aren’t going to let go of this catchy phrase anytime soon!
Or, perhaps you could tuck small souvenirs in the corners of your suitcase for the kitchen workers in your church back home; a Martin Luther cookie cutter!
Courtesy of several websites, you don’t have to go to Wittenberg to collect Martin Luther paraphernalia. In February 2015, the Playmobil company announced that their then newly launched Martin Luther Playmobil figure had sold out of the first 34,000 figures manufactured in less than 72 hours! Sales are now over 500,000 of the little plastic reformer!
If you’d like something equally fun, but a bit more edifying, you’ll enjoy Papa Luther: A Graphic Novel or, The Life of Martin Luther: A Pop-Up Book.
A popular decorative element on a wide range of Luther kitsch is the Luther Rose. This seal was designed in 1530 for Martin at the behest of Luther’s protector, John Frederick, Elector of Saxony.
Earrings? Tie? Pillow? Temporary tattoo? (you just can’t make this stuff up!)
Martin Luther had a sense of humor, so while I’m guessing he would be astonished by the fuss in this 500th year after he hoped to share some reforming ideas with other scholars, I think he’d chuckle and go right along with the jokes! And, he’d especially enjoy the fact that Pope Francis and Protestant leaders from around the globe are commemorating this 500-year milestone together.
-- Beth Lewis
Florence Nightingale
If you have a nurse in your life that you’d like to thank, here are the top 10 “Florence Nightingale” gifts that you can give!
1. Every nurse secretly wants to be the original Florence Nightingale. For just $19.99, you can give your special nurse that opportunity with his/her own special Florence Nightingale costume:
2. Is your nurse not the type to dress up? Never fear, you can get your special nurse their own troll doll dressed like Florence to ride on the dash of their automobile for a cheap $10.00 on Etsy: 
3. If you really love your nurse, grab that special person a 1st edition copy of Florence Nightingale’s “Notes on Nursing.” Drop your bid over on Ebay for a mere $625.00. Every nurse should have a copy of “Notes on Nursing.”
4. If your nurse likes to show his/her Nightingale pride, this shirt is just the thing for $21.99.
5. Every nurse today needs a Nightingale lamp for those graveyard shifts when the generator fails. For just $18, your nurse can let their light shine, just like Florence Nightingale.
6. Many nurses take, or have taken, the Nightingale Pledge when they graduate from nursing school. You can purchase your special nurse this beautifully framed copy of the pledge that shows their dedication to their fellow man:
7. Have you been so moved by the story of Florence Nightingale that you’d like to encourage your son or daughter to follow in her footsteps? Start telling them the story of Florence Nightingale and her courage during the Crimean War. It’s now on SALE in the Easy store.
8. Share the prayer of Florence Nightingale with your special nurse and let them know that they touched your life in a special way.
9. After a long shift at work, what every nurse really wants is a foot rub. Known as the “Nightingale Special,” a foot, back, or any kind of massage is just the ticket to show your special nurse that their work matters.
10. Finally, while someone is giving your nurse a foot rub, whip up the “Nightingale cocktail” to help your special nurse unwind:
The Nightingale cocktail recipe is made from banana liqueur, triple sec, light cream and egg white, and served in a chilled sherry glass.
Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled sherry glass and serve.
More seriously, forget the kitsch and craziness above, if you have ever been sick, or injured, or afraid, and have been blessed by the caring hands of a nurse, say a prayer of thanks for Florence Nightingale. Every nurse today has been influenced by her legacy. Thanks Flo, the love of God is indeed in the face of every patient we touch.
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238 comments on “Martin Luther vs. Florence Nightingale”
Despite all the great Luther kitsch, I just have to vote for Florence. In the world of health care, nurses rule and we can thank the blessed Nightingale for that!
Sigh.....I voted Martin, but I think Flo may win.
But, but, but Martin has the better kitsch!
I voted on the merit of the kitsch presented.
With a copy of "Notes on Nursing" and a 50 year old Nightingale pledge bookmark...there is no question where my vote goes.
True, Martin does seem to have the better kitsch, but making a decision on that element alone seems so shallow! He will garner myriad accolades this year. . . .but Diana has stated it so well. I, too, am going with the Flo!
Well, Florence is surely the mother of modern nursing, and we owe her a tremendous debt; but Luther was, in effect, the father of the modern church (yes, even the Roman Catholics have been influenced by his reforms, so how can I not vote for Luther?
Martin Luther undoubtedly has the better kitsch, and whilst I am disappointed that no mention has been made of Florence Nightingale's pet owl, my vote goes to Florence for her indefatigable work to reform nursing and change government policy.
Luther Playmobile figurine for the win!
#goflo
I wanted to vote for Luther in the "wurst" way (love the "Nailed It" T-shirt) but I work w so many great nurses I am voting for Flo to honor them. Go Flo Go!
How can I NOT vote for Martin at the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation? !
Absolutely, John!! Me, too!
Voted my profession.
Ah. Great to hear you're a Lutheran cleric. 😀
"As a sister who wears a veil"…Are you a religious, Diana?
Amen!!! Who couldn't vote for the Anniversary Guy?
Yes. I'm a Sister of the Community of the Transfiguration. Our mother house is in Cincinnati. Check us out at ctsisters.org
My late wife, Carolyn, was a lay member of the CT. I lost her after 44-1/2 years of marriage. A year later I met and married my now retired RN wife, Penny. She was Lutheran at the time. She had a tough choice today.
Big like....perhaps "luv"...for McCartney reference!!!
There are both Martin Luther & Katie Luther bobblehead dolls. Let not your heart be troubled.
ARRRRGGHHHH! I can't decide!
Just say "Martin," Donna. 🙂
Florence has a cocktail named after her. Does Martin?
Of course! Martini!
I greatly admire Florence, but my vote must go to Brother Martin today for his influence in spreading God's Word in the vernacular. I see he's the underdog here, but may I mention he's the also King of Saintly Kitsch? Sin Boldly Lager, Prepare for the Wurst Sausage Fest shirts, and Here I Stand socks...I mean, what's not to love?
Linda, how I admire your life's work. Blessings upon you.
Florence because Luther has gotten more than sufficient credit for his contributions (a whole denomination of Christianity named after him!), and because he did not love the least among us.
My daughter is a nurse, so my vote was for Florence!
For the third time, I voted for Florence Nightingale.
For the third time, I voted for the person up against Brother Martin. (I would have voted for him if he was paired, in this year's bracket, against either Anselm or Ms. Crosby.)
While Brother Martin can rejoice (like all of us!) in being a recipient of God's radical grace, I still don't see him as Golden Halo material. While the Western Church of Luther's day was in urgent need of reform in its theology, liturgy, spirituality. ethos, and internal politics, I also think that (in the process) Luther did some real harm to the people of God.
Here are my three reasons to vote for Florence Nightingale, and my four reasons to vote against Martin Luther.
For Ms. N.:
1. She voluntarily went into a battlefield situation as a non-combatant to express compassion to those caught up in the violence and, in the process, ruined her health for the rest of her life (a sort of martyrdom).
2. She established the ethos of service and compassion for the modern nursing profession.
3. She was an lay Christian who expressed her faith in an articulate way.
Against Br. M.:
1. His attitudes towards Jews and Judaism expressed in his later works were destructive, particularly in the light of the more positive comments in his early works. The trajectory of his developing opinions was all wrong. We could blame his heavy drinking or early onset dementia, but still the example is poor.
2. Similarly, his fiery comments toward the RC leadership (and toward other Protestants at times) meant that the necessary reforms were accompanied by an unnecessary breach of fellowship and communion among Christians. Sadly, this breach has been institutionalised even to our own day. Again, we can possibly blame the booze or the brain synapses, but ...
3. His "sola fide" teaching has led in some quarters to the idea that, if you get your beliefs right, you'll be right with God but, if you get your beliefs wrong, you'll be fuel for an eternal BBQ. I can't see this idea reflecting a Jesus-shaped God in any way, shape, of form.
4. While he was courageous in the face of Church authorities, he encouraged the Church and individual Christians to take an uncritical, and almost lap-dog, approach to secular authorities. This is definitely the wrong approach now, in the age of Trump.
Anyway, Florence for the Gold! Franz for the Silver!
Well put.
My name is Zoey. I voted for Florence Nightingale because I love how she was a nurse and took care of people.
Thank you Zoey...you make a very excellent point!
Good reason, Zoey! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Yay Zoey. A wonderful reason to vote for her.
Married to a Nurse. This one is a no-brainer and besides she is right.
Still can't condone Luther's professed "make children recite catechism before giving them food or drink"...besides I'm a nurse. Florence gets my vote!.
As a nurse for 25 years turned priest for 25 years this was not really hard for me. I first saw a 1928 BCP around 1975 when a patient asked me to pray with her in ICU. I next saw it in 1984 when I visited an Episcopal church. That was it. I joined up immediately. Florence was a good Anglican but blind to religion, denomination, color, etc.. Her "religion" was to help people heal in every way possible. With all respect for the contributions of Martin, I hope Florence gets the Halo. Without her influence some of us would not be here to vote.
Once again, all this stuff for sale is just plain weird !
It is called kitsch for a reason.
At the risk of being a poor sport, if Martin loses in this year of all years, this Lutheran with Episcopalian overtones will cheerfully say goodbye to Lent Madness--after buying one of those "nailed it' t-shirts, of course.
How is this even close? We're talking about MARTIN LUTHER!
I know. To me, the current vote defies logic.
you are not the only one. but, it's only a game. right?
That's what I keep telling myself, Diane. "Self, don't take this too seriously." Rinse and repeat.
Honestly, I generally stopped caring about this after St. Augustine of Hippo lost...
Lux et veritas... Exactly how I felt when Joan of Arc, my childhood hero, was eliminated in the first round. But I persevere and wait for the wisdom of the larger group as to who will win this year's Golden Halo. I'm trying to be a good sport.
My problem was I picked Joan for the title before any voting began!
I vote for Florence Nightengale in honor of my mother who is a nurse
For all you Luther Leaguers, here's a chorus of "Good Ol' Marty Luther":
Good Ol' Marty Luther,
Good Ol' Marty Luther,
Played by the Reformation Band.
His five-and-ninety thesis
Tore the Pope to pieces.
I think the Reformation's grand!
Ol' Marty Luther,
Ol' Marty Luther,
Played by the Reformation Band.
Ol' Marty Luther,
Ol' Marty Luther,
Played by the Reformation Band!!
That last word should be "grand"--OOPS!
And as an Episcopalian who keeps a small catechism on his nightstand, I'd totally understand. I'm sure I'll still play but I'll be annoyed for awhile. He got my vote 3 times..
Luthercopalians unite!
This post of crass commercialism didn't help me solve my dilemna. In the end, i voted for Martin because he inadvertently created the modern world with all its complexities.We have him to thank or curse.
Uh-oh, Fredericka. Have you become what the SEC calls a Kitsch Krank? (See the SEC's Monday Madness video for reference.) I figure that if Notre Dame can have Touchdown Jesus, we can have our saintly kitsch. 😀