Only in Lent Madness will you find a seventeenth-century nun doing battle with an archangel. But that's what we have going on in today's matchup between Juana Inés de la Cruz and Gabriel the Archangel. Is pitting a mere mortal against an ephemeral being unfair? Perhaps. Though, as always, it's up to the Lent Madness voting community to decide who advances to the next round.
In Monday action, Emma of Hawaii took down Hugh of Lincoln 64% to 36%.
In case you missed yesterday's stirring edition of Monday Madness, you can watch it here. Still hungry for Lent Madness news? Watch the Lent Madness anchor desk from Christ Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Lenten creativity knows no bounds!
Juana Inés de la Cruz
Juana Inés de la Cruz was a seventeenth-century nun, writer, philosopher, mystic, poet, and pot-stirrer in Spanish colonial Mexico.
Born in 1648 near Mexico City, Juana is described on her birth certificate as “a daughter of the Church,” which was a quaint way of stating that she was illegitimate. Her maternal grandfather, however, let her and her mother live in his massive hacienda, and little Juana would sneak into his library—something she was punished for as girls were not encouraged to educate themselves. By age 3, she had taught herself to read and write Latin, by age 5 she had taken over the hacienda’s accounts, and by age 8, she had written a lovely poem on the meaning of the eucharist.
At age 16, having thoroughly frustrated her mother and grandfather, her guardians sent her off to Mexico City, in a sort of debutante/finishing school situation. She didn’t take kindly to this—she wrote home and requested permission to disguise herself as a boy so she could enroll in real school. No luck. Instead, she was assigned as a lady-in-waiting to the colonial vicereine (the wife of the viceroy of New Spain.)
In 1667, she joined a Carmelite nunnery, seeking more time for study, quiet, and contemplation. The Carmelites didn’t quite fit the bill, so in 1669, she tried again, joining a Hieronymite order. This one stuck, and her fame began to spread throughout colonial Mexico for her writings and her poetry. Everything was fine until 1690, when the local bishop published a letter she wrote, containing her critique of a 40-year-old sermon given by a well-known Portuguese priest. The bishop attached his own commentary to Juana’s critique, saying, essentially, “This is why women shouldn’t write and should stick to praying.” Juana, irate, then published another letter, which argued at length for a woman’s God-given right to educate herself and instruct others. “One can perfectly well philosophize while cooking dinner,” she said, while listing all the women in the scriptures who did not appear to heed the bishop’s advice. The local bishop (and the archbishop of Mexico) did not care for her input. They convinced her to cease public writing and counseling, at the risk of official censure or ex-communication. (It was the Inquisition. They weren’t playing.) She died in 1695 while nursing her fellow nuns during a plague outbreak.
Collect for Juana Inés de la Cruz
Almighty God, Source of all knowledge, we give you thanks for the witness of your servant Juana Inés de la Cruz in her fierce passion for learning and creativity. Teach us to be faithful stewards of our minds and hearts, so that, following her example, we might forever proclaim the riches of your unending love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Jesus Christ who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gabriel the Archangel
Three of the world’s major religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—hold Gabriel in high esteem, as he appears in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Qu’ran.
While Gabriel means “God is my Strength” in Hebrew, the archangel has many monikers: Celestial Messenger, Strength of God, Keeper of Holiness, Angel of Mercy, and Angel of the Power of God. In the Bible, angels are considered agents of God. And being an agent was clearly Gabriel’s calling.
We first meet Gabriel in the Old Testament where he explains and interprets Daniel’s dreams to him. The Book of Daniel contains two other references to unnamed angels who some scholars believe are both Gabriel.
His most famous appearances are in the New Testament Gospel of Luke, where Gabriel has two significant visitations: to Zechariah to announce the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and to Mary announcing the coming of her son, Jesus. Gabriel’s greeting to Mary forms the basis of our familiar and loving prayer: Hail Mary, full of grace.
Gabriel is believed by some to be the angel who sang to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. Other legends point to Gabriel as the angel who warned Joseph to take the Holy Family to Egypt, sat with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and spoke to the women at the tomb on the third day. Gabriel is a favorite subject for artists. For example, the Annunciation—the commemoration of when Gabriel visited Mary—is illustrated in many forms, from famous paintings to magnificent stained-glass windows. In these depictions, Gabriel is often portrayed with his wings outstretched, wearing white, carrying a lily, a scroll, or a trumpet.
His feast day is September 29, shared with fellow Archangels Michael and Raphael. Gabriel is the patron of telecommunication workers, radio broadcasters, messengers, postal workers, clerical workers, diplomats, stamp collectors, Portugal, Santander in Spain, Cebu in the Philippines, ambassadors, delivery workers, and garbage collectors.
Collect for Gabriel the Archangel
Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
122 comments on “Juana Inés de la Cruz vs. Gabriel the Archangel”
Is pitting a mere mortal against an ephemeral being unfair?
Ephemeral? Angels? May I recommend a glance at a dictionary? Someone who appeared to both Daniel and Mary seems to have existed longer than anything ephemeral.
By age 3, she had taught herself to read and write Latin, by age 5 she had taken over the hacienda’s accounts, and by age 8, she had written a lovely poem on the meaning of the eucharist.
I’m a little skeptical, not of the accomplishments, but of the ages at which they are alleged to have been achieved.
Obviously I’m voting for Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the pot-stirrer, as she meets all the qualifications for this competition, including having died. (When was Gabriel ever baptized?)
The one who said he stands in the presence of God (Luke 1:19) already had his reward well before the Annunciation little lone Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection.
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The first and third paragraphs in my original comment above are quotes from the post. Please tilt your screen slightly to the right when reading those two paragraphs to obtain the desired italic effect.
For a highly gifted child, those ages are entirely plausible. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was writing music when he was 5.
(But "ephemeral," yes--maybe what was meant was "ethereal"?)
The strong woman has my vote!
Actually, three archangels -- Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel are recognized by the church as saints.
Uriel objects.
Maybe it should be like basketball-angels are the pros, while human saints are D1 college ball. It seems unfair for a mere human to have to face off against not just an angel, but an archangel.
I just noticed that if you look closely at the image of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz that accompanies Megan’s write up of Sor Juana, there is Gabriel visiting Mary.
Interesting . . .(insert the monocle-wearing emoji face here)
Is Juana campaigning for her opponent? Fix!
I had to vote for Juanna, because, unlike many saints in Lent Madness, we all know Gabriel - The angel is wonderful, but much of the joy of Lent Madness is meeting saints for the first time -
Also. Juanna's fight for women's right to education and speaking
our minds still resonates -
Juana all the way! What an amazing woman!
If it was Michael, not Gabriel, I might have been able to vote for the archangel. After all, Michael is doing miraculous work in Ukraine right now.
So, without hesitation or fear, I voted for Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz. Just as she lived her life.
This is my first time hearing of Juana Inez de la Cruz and she definitely gets my vote! !!
Mighty girl, "nasty woman," a Nunzilla and a scholar extraordinaire -- Sor Juana gets my vote; no contest!
Lots of questions for the Lent Madness SEC about this matchup, however. Were the biblical archangels even formally canonized, or just "grandangeled" into the communion of saints? And is it fair for non-humans to compete in the matchups?
Of course, Sor Juana's inclusion in the saintly roster is rather tenuous -- in TEC's A Great Cloud of Witnesses via Roman Catholic writer Robert Ellsberg's All Saints, a highly eclectic and informative compendium of both official saints and fascinating influencers.
But sorry, Gabriel, go back to your cloud. The SEC knew better than to match you up with someone you could beat!
Although THE Archangel Gabriel may seem to not 'fit' into this secular saintly contest and it is likely inappropriate to vote for someone of his nature, it's where my vote has to go , I mean, gag me with a spoon : another nun ? really? Gabriel does not need validation : the Scriptures (and not 'your' prayer') versus any poem! Again, really?!
Unifying angel vs girl power. Gotta go with Juana. My best time for philosophising is when I’m cooking, cleaning or washing the dishes. Not to mention, the patriarchy is to blame for so much that is wrong on our planet these days.
Today it was Gabriel for me. An angel who is revered by all three Abrahamic faiths is impressive, especially to someone who majored in comparative religions.
Gabriel isn't a saint, so should be declared ineligible. Got to pi ck Sister Juana for this one.
350 years later and women still struggle against men! I was the 2nd female accepted in engineering class at my university and was socially ostracized...in 1959. Also agree - although an important messenger of God, Gabriel is not a saint. I had to vote for one gutsy female.
In the old calendar of the Roman Church, still observed by various communities of traditionalist Catholics, Gabriel’s feast day is actually this Thursday — March 24, the day before the Annunciation.
Angelus Dei nuntiavit Mariae
et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
Interesting match up. Personally this was an easy one for me. I would rather vote for someone who struggled against oppression for herself and others as opposed to an unearthly being whose heavenly limitations are unknown to me. Thanks, Gabriel, for all you've done but give the halo to Juana.
As I read through the comments, one little observation: if it is "unfair" to have Gabriel compete against Juana, why is she crushing him in the voting? Perhaps we are being a bit unfair to Gabriel.
What were you fellas smoking? Gabriel is not a human being. Of course I’m voting for Juana. My feminist scholar grandmother in the Beyond can square it with mighty Gabriel.
The fields to vote are missing.
The vote buttons were missing on my Chrome browser but I found them on Microsoft Edge.
Women monastics pack a lot of juice
none more than Sor Juana de la Cruz.
Gabriel may have announced the Christ
but men are still as mean as feist
at women who dare fly with the Holy Goose.
When I first read the angel Gabriel was on the Lent Madness roster this year I was amused. When I saw the parings, I was again amused bordering on disbelief. I knew I'd vote for Juana before I read the blog on Gabriel. I certainly didn't believe in angels with wings, but I do believe in more earthly angels who come into lives when needed. For many years I've read about angels and listened to impossible stories. Even after my late son appeared to me when I was wide awake, with incredibly beautiful wings and clearly announced the coming birth of my grandson and his nephew. I did tell my son who was pleased his late brother knew he was going to be a father. Then I read the blog on Gabriel. God is my strength. My five sons jobs are mentioned in the list of Gabriel's charges. Sept. 29th is one of my son's birthday who's in distress, and my priest husband's name is Michael. Darn if I didn't go and vote for Michael!
Viva Mexico! Viva Santa Juana!
I made up my mind to vote for Juanna when I first saw the brackets. an unknown nun going against an archangel? here's hoping she goes all the way
I'm with Juana all the way on this one. Sorry Gabriel!
I was excited when I saw that Juana was going to be in this year's competition. I loved learning about her in my church history class in seminary. She gets my vote.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
Juana all the way!
Let's not get greedy here. Archangel Gabriel already has a golden halo and should not have been included in the brackets at all. That said, Juana's gonna fly away with this one!
wow. today was another educational adventure. I had never even heard of Juana Ines de la Cruz..... but her story is so compelling. I feel like we have all heard of Gabriel. It made me think of all the people I know named after this archangel! As much as I love to sing the famous pieces dedicated to Gabriel, I'm moved by her story.
It seems to me (as if that matters) that Ines, through her everyday, living in this wretched world examples, has deservedly earned more followers and fans than Gabriel, though for sure, Gabriel inspired more followers, amongst the writers of scripture, being (or hence became) a male with wings. Fancy that!