A photo of Lent Madness buzz

All of the internet is talking about Lent Madness. Or so it seems. Check out the Episcopal Cafe, The Infusion, Laughing Water, Way will come clear, and of course Seven whole days. We made the Episcopal News Service blog, and now we're helping the Anglican Communion lighten up! Even the ordinarily straight-laced Textweek is listing Lent Madness as a Lent resource! And don't forget our shiny new Facebook page. You should go like us right now!

Tell your neighbors and friends to catch the Lent Madness wave. If you have a blog or a website, why not add a widget to send people to Lent Madness? Show them orthodoxy can be fun! Or that fun can be orthodox.

Next week, look for more action-packed  pre-Lent pre-Madness fantasticness.

(Geeky stuff to make Technorati happy: MW827V6YXGK9. Never mind.)

We have now told the entire world, or at least the places who would listen to us, about Lent Madness. Here's the release. Free free to give it to the news editor of your local paper or any network news anchors who might happen to attend your parish.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Date: January 25, 2012
Contact: The Rev. Tim Schenck or the Rev. Scott Gunn

Lent Madness 2012 Announced
The third annual “saintly smackdown” begins February 23rd

Lent Madness pits holy saints against one another in a battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. But it is more than that: Lent Madness is really an online devotional tool designed to help people learn about saints. The competition begins on Thursday, February 23.

The creator of Lent Madness, the Rev. Tim Schenck, says “My real goal in creating Lent Madness was to give people an opportunity to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith. There’s no reason that a Lenten discipline should be dreary and if this helps people connect with God during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it’s been worthwhile.”

The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for twenty-four hours and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.

(more…)

A shiny bracket

This year's bracket has been announced by the Supreme Executive Committee of the Governing Authority of the Coordinating Committee for the Society of Lent Madness. Others know this august group simply as Tim and Scott.

Notable in this year's bracket, round one includes several exciting contests. Augustine of Hippo will face down Monnica. The "boys of Tarsus" will square off as Paul of Tarsus faces Theodore of Tarsus. Thomas will go up against Enmegahbowh, as Thomas claims that he doubts anyone can pronounce the other's name correctly. Non-Anglicans such as Dietterich Bonhoeffer are included, but stalwart Anglicans including Thomas Cranmer are among the 32 saints slated for the competition.

Stay tuned to Lent Madness for updates as the tournament approaches.

Mark your calendars for February 23. That's they day Lent Madness 2012 launches. Here's the skinny for those of you who haven't enjoyed Lent Madness the last two years:

Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born on his blog “Clergy Family Confidential.”

The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.

Read more at "About Lent Madness."