One of the joys of Lent Madness is engaging with both well-known and virtually unknown saintly souls. Many have heard of Harriet Tubman and know of her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Few, perhaps, know the story of Julie Billiart, a courageous French nun who lived through the French Revolution. That's your choice today as we cast our last vote of the week.
Yesterday, Elizabeth Fry scorched Florian 82% to 18% in the biggest rout of our tournament to date. Speaking of which...with the cancellation of this year's March Madness NCAA tournament, Lent Madness is officially the longest-running consecutive bracket-based tournament in the world! (11 years and counting). Sorry basketball fans.
Try to survive without us this weekend, and we'll see everyone first thing Monday Morning as Joanna the Myrrhbearer faces Junia. Now go vote!
Harriet Tubman
Araminta Ross was born into slavery around 1822 in Maryland, the fifth of nine children. Later, she took the name Harriet and her husband’s name, Tubman. In 1849, she escaped to freedom using the Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists, black and white, offering protection and support to escaped slaves from the south.
Harriet faced daily physical violence that caused her permanent injuries. She began to work when she was five years old and at around twelve, Harriet began working in the fields. Harriet was strong and stood up for justice even as a young person. Once, an overseer threw a two-pound weight at her and struck her in the head for standing in the way of him getting to a fugitive slave. As a consequence of these abuses, she suffered seizures and severe headaches for the rest of her life. The head injury also appeared to be the start of vivid religious visions and dreams that played a major role in Harriet’s life.
Between 1850 and 1860, Harriet made about thirteen trips on the Underground Railroad, guiding more than seventy people, including part of her family, from slavery to freedom, and earning the nickname “Moses” for her direction. Because of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850—which required that all escaped slaves be returned to their owners—Harriet led freedom seekers out of the United States and into Canada.
Harriet’s commitment to abolishing the slave system took her to South Carolina during the Civil War where she served as nurse, cook, armed scout, and spy in the Union army. She was the first woman to lead an armed assault during the Civil War and rescued more than 700 slaves.
After the war, Harriet settled in Auburn, New York. There, she continued her justice work as a community activist, humanitarian, and suffragist. In her 70s Harriet showed special concern for the elderly because there were few social services available. Her dream was to build a house for the elderly, and in 1908 Harriet Tubman Home was inaugurated with Harriet as the guest of honor.
Harriet is the Underground Railroad’s most famous “conductor.” Her success led slaveowners to post rewards for her capture or death. She was never caught and never lost a “passenger.”
Collect for Harriet Tubman
O God, whose Spirit guides us into all truth and makes us free: Strengthen and sustain us as you did your servant Harriet. Give us vision and courage to stand against oppression and injustice and all that works against the glorious liberty to which you call all your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Julie Billiart
Born in Cuvilly, France, on July 12, 1751, Sister Julie Billiart always loved to teach. It is said that her favorite game as a child was “playing school.” An avid student, she loved to study facts and prayers and memorized the catechism by age seven. A local priest noticed her early love for Jesus and the church and allowed Julie to make her first communion at the age of nine. Five years later, she took a vow of chastity and became known as the saint of Cuvilly for her piety and devotion.
When she was twenty-two, her father was the victim of an attempted murder. The stress and anxiety from the attack may have caused a nerves-induced paralysis of Julie’s lower limbs. For the next thirty years, she was confined to a bed. Yet she knitted lace and linens for those in need and, from her bedside, helped local children prepare for their first communion.
At the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, Julie began hiding priests in her home to protect them. The resistance learned of her efforts, and for her own safety, Julie was smuggled out of Cuvilly in a haycart. Despite the stress and anxiety of the war, her spiritual life flourished, and many came to her, seeking guidance and wisdom about how to pray and to develop a contemplative life centered on God. One of the women who visited was Françoise Blin de Bourdon, the Viscountess of Gézaincourt; she eventually helped Sister Julie found the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, which was inspired, in part, by visions Julie had of Christ surrounded by women in religious habits and a voice saying, “Behold these spiritual daughters whom I give you in an institute marked by the cross.” The Sisters of Notre Dame devoted themselves to the care and education of the orphaned children of France.
It is said that on the feast of the Sacred Heart, Sister Julie made a novena to her confessor and was cured of her paralysis. Her remarkable life teaches us that our spiritual gifts are not restricted by the limitations of our bodies. She died in 1816, at the motherhouse of her institute in Namur, Belgium, at the age of 64. Many schools exist in her honor, including many Notre Dame schools in the United States and the United Kingdom. Her feast day is April 8.
Collect for Julie Billiart
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
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123 comments on “Harriet Tubman vs. Julie Billiart”
I'd never heard/read St. Julie's story ... so encouraging for people with debilitating physical conditions, re: the ability/opportunity to still be vehicles of God's grace in this world. I think particularly of a diaconate candidate I know with an amazing prayer life who had significant roadblocks because the commission on ministry had trouble perceiving how her ministry might function. Blessings, St. Julie. "No arm so weak as can do service here...."
I didn't complete a bracket before Lent Madnerss began, but looking it over saw quickly that Harriet is a strong favorite for the Golden Halo. My hope is that her opposite number in the final pairing will be Clare of Assisi, for whom I would then have to vote as I serve a parish dedicated to past Halo winner, Clare's bud, Francis. But until then, Harriet will have my vote.
Amen
My aunt was an SNDdeNamur for 79 years and died at the age of 97... she is an immeasurable force of grace in my life - Harriet I’m hoping wins golden halo, but today, it’s about love of my auntie and witness of her impact on all who knew her.
It is almost unfair to match anyone against HT.
Voting for St Julie today in Lent Madness. Voting in November to get different national leaders elected who will put Harriet Tubman on the US $20 bill-and hope Harriet wins the 2020 Golden Halo.
I love Harriet Tubman for many reasons (and thank Cynthia Erivo for portraying her so beautifully in "Harriet.") But I was educated in high school by the SNDs (Notre Dame Academy in DC, now defunct and its buildings absorbed by nest-door Gonzaga) and had many wonderful mentors among them -- perhaps not appreciated at the time for their strong foundations, but influential in my life to this day. Bonne chance, Julie!
Amen, brother!
Florian is a must.Fry also well liked love to both. God help us all.
Unfair! Who could match somebody so currently famous. Her opponent doesn't even have a book out, much less an award-winning movie! Tubman a shoe-in!
Did anyone notice that Sr. Julie left this earthly realm just a few years before Harriet entered it? I like to think that the French nun in heaven recognized a kindred spirit in the American child about to be born into slavery, and passed along her saintly legacy.
I'd also like to offer a prayer of gratitude for Tim and Scott's creation and stewardship of the Lent Madness community. As our daily lives continue to be impacted by this global pandemic, recognition of our shared pilgrimage with all global citizens is made possible through virtual connections like this.
Yes, Wendy! Good reminders, and inspiring in troubling times--even before the pandemic.
It's nice to have some of March Madness left.
Yes, Harriet is trouncing Sr. Julie as much as Elizabeth Fry did Florian, and deserves every vote, but I voted for Julie, if for no other reason than she's the unknown underdog. After all, Lent Madness is about learning of new-to-us saints.
OK, who remembers Christina the Astonishing?
She is my all-time Lent Madness favorite--followed closely by Dympha!
St Guinefort for me. Put Gertrude of Nivelles against Guinefort: it would be a howling success.
My thoughts as well. It was nice to learn of Sister Julie and her life.
Hahaha! Had to look that one up!
Christina the Astonishing was one of my all-time favorites also!
A sympathy vote for Sr. Julie.
You are kind, Brother Davis!
Indeed.
Since I am a graduate (class of '66) of Notre Dame College of Ohio, near Cleveland, founded by the German branch of the Sisters of Notre Dame, today's choice was easy for me, although I would have voted for Harriet Tubman under different circumstances.
Harriet to win it.
I mean, it's almost unfair to put anyone up against Harriet Tubman
I loved learning about Sr. Julie, and I felt a kinship with her--I was another very studious and devout child who contemplated a religious vocation at age 8 or 9--I am voting for Harriet. I read a biography of her this year before the movie came out, so it's been a Harriet Tubman year. And she's down for the Golden Halo on my bracket.
I cannot imagine the courage it would take to go back into slave country repeatedly after you'd gained your own freedom. It's a rare person who has that kind of faith and determination. Rare indeed.
I was introduced to the story of Harriet Tubman while I was in elementary school and have been fascinated with her ever since! I'm on Team Harriet today, but I feel I would be remiss if I also did not thank our SEC for continuing to shine bright lights on some pretty obscure saintly folks! Here's to another 11 years and 11 more after that and so on...
As a graduate of a Catholic high school served faithfully by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Julie is
a heartfelt favorite. But alas, because we can only vote for one saintly woman today, I went with
Harriet. I pray the sisters will forgive me!
A joy to discover Sister Julie today, howeimy vote goes to the remarkable Harriet Tubman for her courage, commitment and for keeping going.
It was interesting to read about Julie, but Harriet Tubman's life so exemplifies moral courage rooted in faith and personal triumph over terrible adversity that I couldn't not vote for her.
Tim and Scott, you're a couple of mischief makers. Not only do you find saints with similar attributes, you then have the audacity to pit them against one another in Lent Madness. I saw through your ploy, however. Knowing full well that Harriet Tubman would be a runaway (pun intended) in today's match-up and that I could vote for her in a later round, I voted for Sister Julie. Anyone who lived through the Terror and did not lose her love for humanity but continued to reach out to those in need in Jesus' name deserves our recognition.
My mother was raised by the good Sisters of Notre Dame, one of whom wrote a beautiful book for children about Mother Julie (The Saint With A Smile). Not only was I named for her, but St. Julie walked my mother through several hard times and also saved her from an attacker when she was 18 or so. A man chased my mother from a bus stop one night on her way home from work and as she ran, she screamed out for help, only to see a look of terror on the man's face as he stopped in his tracks then fled the other way. When my mother turned to see what he saw, she saw a nun's figure, then it disappeared. I never forgot that story or all the times St. Julie gave me calm in heartbreaking times. For all the brave and heroic choices and acts Harriet Tubman brought to our country, I hope those that St. Julie made will someday get as much attention for the way she outlasted all her detractors who resented her love for the poor children of France and Belgium.
Thank you for this story, Julie. I am voting for St Julie in honour of my friend Julia (probably same pronunciation--French) who is turning 91 on Tuesday, and with whom I share a birthday. I am happy to honour another Julie too! And I would love to learn more about St Julie, perhaps next year in a more favourable bracket position.
Oh dear, 2 very worthy women to choose from. Our Roanoke Rapids Canal was part of Harriet's trail so that's the obvious one, but I went with the underdog Julie because I would have never heard about her if not for Lent Madness. Go Saints!! We will have a champion for the year to spite that the Corvid virus. Go & Wash your hands.
I admire what Sister Julie accomplished in spite of her physical limitations, and also her deep piety, but I had to vote for that absolute rock of justice and resistance to slavery that was Harriet Tubman.
Jules for me.
My daughter went to the Cuvilly preschool on the grounds of the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame, so I am a fan. But poor Julie is facing a hurricane of righteousness in the form of Harriet. Why oh why were they pitted against each other?
We here in Canada, Windsor, Ontario across the Detroit River, USA, know about the underground railway very well! , you probably already know my vote, but very interesting about the other In This race!
Nice to learn something new each and every day God gives to us! Especially today when all our schools are being closed due to CoronoaVirus 19 and the hospital that I volunteer at has closed the gift shoppe for further notice!
We are to take a Bus tour from Chicago to La on the Route 66 highway!
But wondering if the USA will let us enter at Michigan and then reenter Windsor, Ontsrio, Canada, from Detroit Mi.USA Lot to Ponder today Friday The 13th!
Voting for my fellow Marylander today, while acknowledging the heavy legacy of sin that made it absolutely necessary for her to leave her native Maryland, then come back, then leave again and again. For all her courageous journeys out of the Old Line State, I vote for Me Gunman with all my heart.
Dammit, kindle! Why do you "correct" my spelling like that? Ms. Tubman. (Please don't do it again! I'm humiliated enough...)
It's truly a struggle, but the pope ordered me to give up trolling episcopalians for Lent.
Mark, ecce Francis. Now I want you to reform the Vatican bank. Report back at Easter. Gracias.