The end (of Lent Madness 2021) is near! It's hard to believe we kicked things off over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday” with 32 saintly souls. With your help, the field has been whittled down to just two: Benedict the Moor and Absalom Jones. Who will receive the coveted 2021 Golden Halo? That, friends, is up to you.
This excellent video comes from the Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend, Indiana, makers of the awesome opening video for this year's Lent Madness.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable holy people along the way. Perhaps you learned about some folks you’d never heard of before (lots of those this year!) or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.
In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we’ve all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned some things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and hopefully had some fun along the way.
Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our amazing Celebrity Bloggers to whom we offer sincere gratitude: Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, Anna Fitch Courie, David Creech, Miguel Escobar, Neva Rae Fox, David Hansen, Miriam McKenney, Carol Howard Merritt, Emily McFarlan Miller, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his stellar behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily. You all rock!
Thank you to Richelle Thompson and everyone at Forward Movement for putting up with our shenanigans and producing a terrific Saintly Scorecard this year. Special gratitude goes to Alyssa Finke for helping get words and images into the website each day.
Harriet Tubman prepares to pass off the Golden Halo to this year's winner.
Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling in brackets, talking about saints with friends, liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
Before we invite you to cast this final vote, we should note that David Hansen has ably shepherded Benedict the Moor through the bracket, while Miriam McKenney has done the same for Absalom Jones. We’ve asked them for a single image and one quote either by or about their saint. We’ve already heard a lot about Benedict and Absalom — click the Bracket tab and scroll down to view their previous match-ups if you want to refresh your memory. And then, it’s time to make your choice.
The polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced at 8:00 am Eastern time on Maundy Thursday. Now go cast your vote — the 2021 Lent Madness Golden Halo hangs in the balance!
Benedict the Moor
"I am a miserable sinner, and full of pride; pray God to make me humble."
-- Benedict of Palermo (aka the Moor)
Absalom Jones
"Let the first of January, the day of the abolition of the slave trade in our country, be set apart in every year, as a day of publick thanksgiving for that mercy. Let the history of the sufferings of our brethren, and of their deliverance, descend by this means to our children, to the remotest generations; and when they shall ask, in time to come, saying, What mean the lessons, the psalms, the prayers and the praises in the worship of this day? let us answer them, by saying, the Lord, on the day of which this is the anniversary, abolished the trade which dragged your fathers from their native country, and sold them as bondmen in the United States of America."
— Absalom Jones, January 1, 1808 sermon celebrating the end of the slave trade
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119 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Benedict the Moor vs. Absalom Jones”
Thank you Tim, Scott, faithful bloggers and all. What a wonderful, and as always, enlightening season. Blessings all!
Go Absalom, who will surely win. But I was so moved by that simple quote and prayer for humility, that I clicked for Benedict. Thank you, all. Lent Madness brings me so much joy.
Until next Ash Thursday...
(to the tune of "In Christ There Is No East or West")
Every year Lent Madness calls us down
Of saints to learn and inquire
Whether beloved or unknown
They teach, challenge, and inspire.
And now we have Absalom Jones
And Benedict the Moor.
I don't know if I can vote today,
Can't decide who I like more.
So goodbye, Lent Madness, for this year
Our time's come to an end.
To all of you, both far and near,
I'm proud to call you friend.
I ended up voting for Benedict to give him some support, since I'm pretty sure Absalom will win. Thanks to the bloggers for their masterful writing and thanks to all of you. I haven't posted many comments but I enjoy reading them all. They bring a different perspective and often additional knowledge and enrichment, both of which I find extremely valuable.
I recently started a blog (Grace-2u.com) and I hope you will visit and help me improve it with your comments and suggestions. Many blessings to all of you, and a joyous Easter!
love your song -- thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you, Grace, for your wonderful lyrics for a hymn I have long loved. And how fitting a tune for this final round, and for these strange and painful months!
So glad about this gathering and so sad its over til next year! How I enjoy reading all your comments and knowing I am part of such a great cloud of witnesses. And also so proud of my hometown St. James artists - and of course their Mayor Pete...;)
Thank you to everyone who brought us this year's Lent Madness, and to the commenters who enriched the decision-making each day.
I'm going with Absalom Jones because he pointed out injustices and urged a transformation of society. Benedict was intriguing with his magical cooking and seemed very devout and worthy, but Absalom Jones reminds me more of Jesus, as I think on it today. Fishing for people, standing up for those looked down upon, trying to make this world a better example of God's kingdom.
Since the beginning of the church each Lent has taken us on a journey, from hope in the waving of palms to coming through despair to recognize how Jesus gave his life for all to the joy of resurrection, realizing that he offers us eternal life. This year our lenten journey comes out of a year and more of pandemic and turmoil. It is right and fitting that our exchanges come to a focus on the lives of two black saints. We have come through the pain and outrage of recognizing how black deaths matter to, I hope, a greater recognition of how black lives matter to us all, to those who have been oppressed and to those who come through a history of oppression. In examining the lives of two black saints we may give more attention to the more recent, not to suggest that his contribution was greater. It can help us to see that this journey is continuing and that we recognize more and more how black saints today are giving to the church and to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.
A Lent like no other draws to a close, the Golden Halo is nigh. Our Bracket this year was a very timely one, (kudos to those creators & bloggers) both finalists are a tribute to our state of affairs. Absalom Jones gets my final vote for the CFRH in Atlanta & our Episcopal Diocese of NC efforts to become The Beloved Community by dismantling racism on the Journey to Racial Equity. Both have excellent webinars that discuss systemic racism & discrimination. Final Answer: Absalom Jones for his ability to Forgive. Happy Easter, Everyone
Thanks for all your work and fun learning about the saints. I know Absalom will win and this is his year but I’m voting with my heart for Benedict of Palermo. I have a soft spot for his humility, simplicity and also his cooking.
...but mostly his peg doll Peg dolls are the best. Thank you Cathedral of St. James. I think Absalom should win but he is far enough ahead that I can happily cast a vote for Benedict today.
The Golden Halo would look well on either Absalom or Benedict, but in light of the current state of affairs in the United States, with white supremacists flaunting their nastiness, and black people being arrested and/or killed for the crime of being black, my heart and my vote go to Absalom. The latest violations of human rights in Georgia and in Arkansas fill me with immense sadness. So Absalom it is for me, and for the Golden Halo.
On a personal note, thank you for this, my fourth Lent Madness. I look forward to next year.
Thank you to Tim and Scott, to each of the Celebrity Bloggers, to all behind the scenes, and to all who commented. Lent Madness enriches the Lenten journey every year. I learn anew that there are many paths to God, indeed any path can lead to God, no matter how circuitous. Keep on walking. See you next Lent.
Yes ma’am! “Any path can lead to God... Keep on walking.” You said it all. For the first time I am voting my bracket in the final round—that is, I’m going with Absalom. Virtual hugs sent round to you all, thanks to everyone who made this contest a reality, and prayers for a safe year ahead. It’s been real, it’s been fun, it’s been real fun!
Absalom FTW!
I know the colors and traditions of the Golden Halo mug are probably sacrosanct, but should Blessed Absalom prevail, can we sub contract for a Golden Halo mug-UBE edition? It could be a fund raiser. We have a number of UBE youth entities that are good that sort of thing. I love this outcome as much as it remains difficult to choose. UBE folks also big fans of Benedict the Moor. No-one said Lenten decisions should be spiritually easy!
This has been my first Lent Madness, but it will not be my last, I hope. I came into this sure that Absalom Jones would win the Golden Halo, but ended up voting for Benedict at the end. His heart for healing and nurturing captured me. Palermo opened her arms to him all those years ago, and I can't help but think that his life helped to carry that spirit forward. Thanks to all of you for this experience!
Happy Spy Wednesday!
In the second Lent of the pandemic, I didn't follow Lent Madness as closely as in some other years, so
when I read all the wrap-ups, I felt sad as well as grateful - But gratitude now dominates, to the wonderful people who put it all together, with faith and humor, the community they formed, and, as a
shout-out to my personal past, to the nuns who taught me, several of whom marched at Selma - they
gave me a heritage of faith that is, sadly, still necessary -
Thanks so much to all who work to make Lent Madness such an engaging learning and deeply spiritual experience.
The Diocese of Pennsylvania kept Absalom Jones in the transitional diaconate for almost 10 years before ordaining him to the priesthood, and his bishop ordained him only on condition that he and his Black parish would be totally disenfranchised. Not only were they refused voice and vote in their diocesan Convention, they weren't allowed even to participate. Fr. Jones was dead nearly 50 years before St. Thomas African Episcopal Church was fully admitted to Convention in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. I'd certainly say that he's earned that Golden Halo . . .
Thank you, Scott, Tim, bloggers, behind-the-scenes folks, commentators! Once again you all have introduced (or in some cases re-introduced) us to some amazing people from the earliest days of Christianity down to the 20th century. Some friends introduced me to Lent Madness back in 2013 (before the Saintly Scorecard) and I've been hooked ever since.
May you all have a blessed Holy Week and Easter. We'll meet again next Ash Thursday, if not before.
Thanks to all: Scott, Tim, eloquent bloggers, fellow Madcaps. Hang in there, keep your hearts open, "Endure, and preserve yourself for better things." Cicero
I was quite sure Absalom would win, and I fully intended to vote for him (although I have been supporting both candidates throughout Lent). However, the image and quote today for Benedict earned him my vote. Outstanding choices.
Thank you, SEC and bloggers. David Hansen found a stunning final image for Benedict. I did not know that January 1 was the anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the US. I'm guessing that refers to the importation of new slaves; it certainly did not abolish slavery in the US. And I can only imagine the loopholes. I voted for Absalom Jones, the homeboy, an Episcopal priest. I cannot bring myself to vote for a mummy, and I have warrant for that from the SEC itself. A couple of years ago they stated publicly that the mummy of God would never be on any bracket. Besides, the Capuchin monks of Palermo, with their crypt filled with the lifelike dead is nothing compared to the crypt of the U.S. senate, filled with ancient white cadavers perpetually on display on their thrones with one function only: to prevent democracy from ever happening and to keep us all bondmen to voter suppression, the rabid raging of white supremacy, and the scourge of uncontrolled gun ownership and gunslaughter. There is so much work to be done. We have entered the gates of Canterbury, friends. As we step into the Triduum, let us keep the faith and keep walking.
I’ve never heard of Capitol Hill as being like a crypt, but now that ya mention it...
Thanks to all the inspired lunatics who make my Lent bearable every year. And to those who’ve written comments: your perspectives have enlightened me. Absalom for the win; Jesus for the world.
We’ve loved Miriam’s presentations of Absalom Jones over the past several weeks! Absalom Jones was my choice for the Golden Halo from the moment I saw the bracket, as he’s been one of my favorite saints for many years. There’s joy in Dallas at the Church of the Transfiguration! Thank you, Tim and Scott, for one of the best Lent Madness experiences in years. Who would have thought? We didn’t know half of the saints. And yet it was a “pandemic” relieving joy to get to know all of them. Happy Easter to the world!
Ever since Anna Fitch Courie brilliantly included a recipe for a Yellow Fever cocktail in the 2016 kitsch round on behalf of the Memphis Martyrs, I have felt that Lent Madness wasn’t complete without a cocktail recipe. I thought of posting a Purgatory cocktail to celebrate David Hansen’s gambit on behalf of Catherine of Genoa in this year’s kitsch round, but some might view eternity in Colorado on the ski slopes as heaven and no sort of penance at all. There’s also a Dead Rabbit cocktail, but that might not sit well with Melangell. Never fear! There is a cocktail called The Mummy. It is 1 oz. triple sec, 2 oz. vodka, 1Tbsp lemon juice; float club soda over the top. Serve in an old-fashioned glass (preferably chilled in a crypt). This might revivify a corpse, as one reviewer says it’s “like alka seltzer with alcohol.” And since we are bidden to offer non-alcoholic alternatives, “served equally attractively,” there’s the virgin mojito (“mummito”?): muddle mint leaves with sugar, then pour the juice of about eight limes over that. Add extra simple sugar if necessary to sweeten. Float club soda over the top. Serve over ice in an old fashioned glass. Enjoy the spires of Canterbury and think on the tomb of Thomas a Becket.
I'll drink to that! Seriously, though, it's always a pleasure to read the comments and the all the fascinating tidbits about the saints each year! We are grateful to have the SEC and celebrity bloggers, and all of you commenters participating! What a way to transcend these twin pandemics of coronavirus and racism. Happy Easter, and Love and Peace to all!
Ah, St. C, you never disappoint!
Thank you all. This was my first experience with Lent Madness, and I have looked forward every morning to opening the email with the day's new saintly competitors. You have enriched my Lenten experience, and now I can't wait for next year! Today's choice was difficult, but I went with Absalom. Both are deserving of a Golden Halo.
Since Benedict's quote is a prayer for humility, I do not think being awarded a golden halo would help answer Benedict's prayer, therefore I voted for Absalom.
What struck me today was that we have the choice between two persons of African ancestors. We also have a choice between an American and one who is not. Reading the comments I can’t help but notice how American-centric they seem to be. So I have decided to vote for Benedict for the world, since, after all, saints should be for the whole church.
I am intrigued by the claim that what Absalom Jones suffered was "not for the whole church."
After his bishop refused to ordain him unless he agreed to have neither voice nor vote in Church governance, he served Christ faithfully. He persisted in proclaiming the Gospel even when he and his parishioners were barred from participation in Convention in his own denomination. He continued to build up the faithful even when his basic humanity was held in question by his own colleagues in the clergy, and he did not live to see his parish acknowledged by the Church that he loved. He was dead nearly 50 years before his parish was fully admitted into the life of the Church in his local diocese-- because it was full of Black people, and for no other reason. And all this is what it took to establish the first parish in the denomination where people of African descent could expect to receive a warm welcome.
The many indignities that Fr. Jones experienced are part of the historical legacy inherited by clergy of African heritage in the States. We certainly would not claim that that his sacrifice was of less value simply because it took place in the City of Brotherly Love. For the entirety of his ordained life, he persevered in suffering, in the name of Jesus and in the hope of easing the path for those of us who would follow him--both in the Faith and in service to the Church. Your comment reminds us that even today, people in the church undermine the value of his life and witness.
Absalom Jones became a saint by building up the Church among people that the Church abused and excluded--even as it abused and excluded him. From where I sit, this hardly disqualifies him from inclusion in the communion of “saints for the whole church.” In fact, I’d say that the strength of his witness only highlights the appropriateness of his placement in this final leg of our Lenten Madness. So ride on to victory, Fr. Jones! We remember and salute you!
Somehow I stumbled upon this madness
and for the first time since
I will not have voted for the winner even once.
I have nothing against Absolam,
but I must vote for Benedict as I have voted for him in every round.
And so this year I conclude with saddness.
Ah, Well. Next year on the web!
Thank you for another wonderful year of Lent Madness!