387 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Francis of Assisi vs. Brigid of Kildare”

1. The Stigmata legend does bother me. How did Francis claim he received the marks of Christ?

2. I was very pleased to see that 3 of the final 4 are women. I will vote for Brigid, based purely on my idea of what each might do with a golden halo. I think Francis would give it away, or in the case of the Lent Madness golden halo, play fetch with a dog. I am guessing Brigid would probably sell it to buy cows for the poorest of the poor around her thus enabling them to make a modest living, much on the order of Heifer and ERD. Simply because she is a woman, Brigid would find a way to enrich the lives of many, and encourage them to pass it on to others. In this way, many of the poorest folk on earth would not only come to Christ, but also to be witnesses to the wider world around them. Thank you all, celebrity bloggers and SEC for an enlightening Lent, and blessings for a meaningful Easter.

3. Another final round with all the frustrations and lots of wonderful role models for us to ponder about. On the final vote, I have to go with Brigid, wonderful story and we enjoy beer.

4. Horrifically tough choice. I admire Francis for his dedication to a humble life, and Brigid for her version of a monastic life that said women could work for The Lord alongside men. The Celtic branch of Christianity had married priests and coed monasteries. The Roman church should have kept that custom. So, here's my vote for Brigid. May one day there be again women priests and bishops, in the Roman Catholic Church, as in the past.

   1. Hear, hear! The Church dropped the ball on allowing married and women priests. I, too, hope that can be rectified. And I've always been closer to the Celtic Church approach, in general.

5. Brigid. I have been lobbying for her. It's close, now. Just think on this: Francis, in all his humility, gets a lot of attention. Let's vote for this almost modern woman, and he'll likely approve.

6. I baked a round of St. Brigid Oatcakes this morning (saw the recipe posted here, thanks!) and was hoping for a St. Brigid mug to accompany my future oatcake breakfasts. At this point, it looks as tho I will be drinking my tea with St. Francis. And that would be equally delightful.

   1. There are recipes?

7. While I do love Francis, I must cast my vote for Brigid to honor my VTS class mate David whose daughter is named Brigid.

8. St. Francis: joyous, inclusive, mystic, practical, unselfish, unafraid, peaceful, holy. My choice from the beginning of Lent Madness. Thanks to everyone who made this year's contests so exciting and informative. Looking forward already to next year!

9. I wish to bid you all farewell here on this last day of Lent Madness. I have been a "lurker" throughout this Chaucerian ride together to "Canterbury." But I have gotten up early every day and read the official commentaries and made my vote and then checked the blog threads throughout the day to ponder the replies. My brackets were busted early on. I voted for Hadewijch for the Golden Halo. (I have to say, I felt that we were playing a Quidditch series in Harry Potter.) I simply went through and mindfully chose the saint who I thought most spoke to me, and I was WAY out of the mainstream throughout this "contest." I was very interested in the Beguines and medieval women's mysticism, and I found myself weeping for Jan Hus, who wasn't even in this year's contest.

   At first I found myself offended by some of the reasons people voted and I was dismayed by some of the more cantankerous or ornery posters. But I considered that some of my reasons for voting might at bottom provide an obstacle to another person. And I reflected that we were all "posting" together toward "Canterbury." (I suggest Chaucer be included in a future LM.) And all we pilgrims were in this together, even the ones I liked less than other ones. I found that my reasons for voting changed as we went along. I found my little grudging heart opening just a tiny bit as I tried to incorporate the views of others into my reasoning. In the end I voted for Brigid for the quidditch cup (I mean Golden Halo) because I was so moved by the Celtic goddess aspect and the effort to merge pagan and Christian spiritualities. I have been profoundly influenced by the notion that there is a broad spectrum of spiritual practices and that we should make an effort to affirm them.

   My absolute favorite moment was in the kitsch round: the idea that a goldfish too is on a pilgrimage with every trip around its bowl, because it cannot remember more than thirty seconds' worth of stuff. That made me laugh my donkey off. The "Got Thekla?" mug is a close second. I want that mug way more than the Francis cup which it is now looking as though I have pre-ordered. However, I will cherish it as a memory of this experience (and possibly invest in a glow-in-the-dark Jesus figurine for my dashboard).

   My prayers include all of you who have shared this Lenten journey with me. I appreciate all of your wisdom and your struggles to articulate how you have been touched by these figures in Christian history. I know I am not the same person who embarked on this journey at the beginning of Lent. Thank you all for helping me grow in spiritual maturity. I am a member of St. Michael and All Angels in Portland, OR. I wish you joy at Easter. See you next year.

   1. Very close to my own experience/thoughts! See you next year!

   2. Wow, what a debut into the commentaries! I am quite touched by it and hope I wasn't ornery or cantankerous. (I do remember getting very worked up about Hadewich, Dorcas, Margaret of Antioch, Elizabeth, Thecla....) I look forward to our pilgrim journey next year.

   3. I struggle with how folks vote as well, but I am convicted by your comments, I tell myself each year, that this is just ridiculous, and I won't come back, but then I do. I suppose in the end, I need to keep the real purpose of this in mind, but is sometimes difficult. I have struggles with people using their own biases/prejudices, and perceived issues, using the saint's as a way to fix wrong's of the past. Or simply voting on the basis of gender, or beer, or kitsch. I don't know I think I would be more in favor of this as not a competition, but a daily introduction, and then a summary at the end. I think the "competition" brings out the bad parts in our human character, or at least mine. Apologies to anyone, I was short with during LM, I will pray on that this evening. Peace.

      1. Well there ya go, Justin. And peace to you too.

10. oughta be a tie but since I worked in the Committee to Save St Brigid's Church in Manhattan, Ill vote for Brid who pictured heaven as having a lake of beer!

11. it's time for an irish woman to rule

    1. I think so, too! Unfortunately, I've been tracking the voting off and on today and she's been staying about 250 votes behind all day. Maybe the Irish will vote after work!

    2. officially that is

12. Whew--I didn't realize it would be this close! I thought I was voting for the underdog, but Bridgit is holding her own--I guess beer drinkers have united and done some heavy lobbying!

13. Its been a wonderful time of learning and laughing and I have cherished every bit of kitsch! Who knew that St. Swithin actually existed! Who would have believed that one of my favorite early Christian writers, Egeria ,would make such a splash. And then there was the goldfish making a pilgrimage around his bowl. Many cheers for all the CBs and especially for the SEC who has given us this wonderful opportunity to learn and love so many followers of our Lord over the centuries. May we continue to cherish them all in our hearts as we celebrate a joyous Easter!

    1. Where was this goldfish talked about? I missed that!

       1. i think in the kitsch round. there was a picture of the little fish with a 30 second memory!

    2. that would have been more cruel than this match-up.

       1. No, Donna, I don't see it that way at all! As much as I dislike the term, it'd be a "win-win" for those of us with Irish heritage! : )

          1. but to have to choose — wrenching

          2. boo hiss

          3. boo hiss again

             1. I've heard cats hiss, but never boo. Maybe a ghost cat would do that, though.

             2. purrhaps

             3. Ha, again!

             4. me neither — throw the dart for that one — unless another of those wonderful prayers got pulled out of the ether.

             5. Exactly. The prayers were especially good today, weren't they? Thank you, Laurie and Megan!

             6. they were magnificent!

             7. Lovely recap.

             8. Hmmm...Advent Madness? I like this idea. 🙂

             9. I'd promised myself that I was going to be quiet from now on but then — Let's Lobby!

             10. Would it be another saintly smack down, or something new and different? We have to come up with a good premise.

             11. Oh, there are enough saintly folk to smack down, I think.

             12. Unless the SEC come up with another grand and glorious fantastically mesmerizing and educationally funnily challenging gambit.

             13. "Or simply voting on the basis of gender, or beer, or kitsch." I've struggled with the same things you bring up, Justin. It does seem that, sometimes, people vote for personal things and not the saint. I do espouse my Irish heritage a lot, but I try to vote for the saint (Brendan and Brigid have been in my heart for a long, long time, though!). I've been able to be not quite so bothered by these things, and am content to believe I've voted for who I think should move on. Love learning about them all!

             14. Don't forget the "madness" part of this. TotallySeriousLentenSaints.org is a whole different ballgame!

             15. HaHa! Is that a real thing? If not, it should be!

             16. But those "personal things" you mention, might they not be the very things that the voter is being challenged to work on in his or her life? The particular saint, strikes a chord and because of that resonance, maybe then growth and more self understanding might happen. I understand the struggle you have acknowledged, me too, but recently I've been thinking that I need to be less judgmental and self assured and just let folks be folks on their own terms. I dunno.

             17. You're quite right, but you can know something in your mind but feel something else. I agree saints, social causes, even sports teams, etc., are close to a person because they strike a chord in them somewhere and that's usually based on past experience. It's something I've been working on, for me, that's all.

             18. There is sometimes such a disconnect between the head and the heart. Isn't Paul supposed to have said something about that?

             19. so, your cat is 13? i would think st. francis, but Brigid is good, also. right now they are sooooo close. could there be a tie? i like that you're raising your cat jewish. the cat mitzvah, does she celebrate Hanukkah, etc? her own menorah perhaps. if you get a boy cat you can buy him a tiny yarmulka-yep-try making him wear that! but let the doc do the bris!!!

             20. Ha!

             21. Lovely to hear you play the hammered dulcimer, Karen!

             22. Nature versus beer....hmmmm....not really that simple, but I'm going with Brigid. And a new mug sounds good to me!

             23. See it works! Grins.

             24. Well said!

             25. in the Saintly Scorecard — yummers

             26. Several folks have mentioned this community that has been formed. I'd not thought of that before but now it seems just right. It's been a community of faith and I hope to renew acquaintances again next Lent unless we can prevail on the SEC to leap into Advent.

             27. Oh, no doubt! I have absolutely no idea who I'd vote for.

    3. Thank you telling us about your journey--we are all in this together and will see you all next year on the road to Canterbury.

    4. Wonderful idea. Balthazar could have another go and Elizabeth and Gabriel and Zachariah and how about Simeon and Anna?

    5. grin

14. Thanks to all who made this possible.

15. Bridgid supporters do not give up hope! My former Irish father-in-law once explained to me how he used to cast votes for many of his ancestors laying in the parish grounds. I expect the Irish precincts will be coming in soon!

    1. Ha! That could happen, especially in Chicago! : )

16. Thank you, SEC! Another great LentMadness! LMW is starting early. Go Francis!

17. I voted for bridgid because she reminds me of my church which is St. John's the evangelicals Hingham.

    1. St. Brigid has nothing to do with St John the Evangelist

       1. it just reminds me of it

18. Throughout Lent Madness I have encouraged all employees at Saint Francis Community Services (based in Salina, KS) to participate in Lent Madness and encouraged them to vote for our patron saint. Today, I've asked that we pull out all the stops! Come on St. Francis.

19. Francis vanquished my personal favorite (Thecla). Then Brigid beat out my next personal favorite (Egeria). So, this was a tough choice. I do love my cat; however we are raising her as a good Jew in deference to her other mother, so we've never been to a blessing of the animals (and she will celebrate her Cat Mitzvah this year). In the end, I went with Brigid.
    I do hope the SEC will bring back Thecla and Egeria in future Lent Madness competitions. Ravenous seals and attention to liturgical detail not to mention the need to recognize the oft-overlooked contributions of women to the development of the early church is worthy of honor, praise...and Golden Halos.
    Thanks bloggers! Thanks SEC! Looking forward to this saintly smackdown next year!

20. I want to echo the thoughts of Lucia. Might you be voting for St. Lucia one of these days? If so, I'll commit my vote, too. We visited the island once upon a time and found it enchanting. Travel is on my mind. We go soon to Rome, to stay in Casa Santa Brigida while there. The hospitality of the Sisters is warm and caring. And the Vatican is a short walk away, and Pope Francis nearby. And Assisi just a drive through the countryside.
    St. Brigid is a most deserving contender, but the love of St. Francis for the earth and all its creatures, and his purity of spirit, his love of Christ, his humble sense of self, while uplifting others, is what I focus upon in this final moment of Lent Madness Golden Halo voting. I think it's St. Francis's turn. Won't you please join me in making him this year's winner.
    Much gratitude to the SEC and all of you. See you next year. Happy Easter!

21. Interesting...I voted -against- both these saints in the Round of 32 and the Saintly Sixteen, then voted -for- both in the Elate Eight and Faithful Four. A difficult choice. After meditating long & hard, I finally went with Francis but am glad to see it's as close as it is. Let me join my brothers & sisters in many of the comments above in thanking the SEC for another successful edition of LM. I especially appreciate your persistence in pointing us toward the risen Christ as the ultimate goal of our exercises here. Amen, and may God bless you for your faithful witness. This is my second time participating in LM and I intend to be back every Lent that I have internet access. See you next year, Lord willing!

22. As a half-Irish biologist, what am I to do? Well, beyond the wonderful presentations by Laurie and Megan, I came into LM heavily under the influence of that Franciscan, Fr. Richard Rohr, who has taken me "Beyond the Birdbath" into the heart of Franciscan spirituality through his Daily Meditations which come in my email, through his books and other teaching materials (www.cac.org). As a cradle RC who has discovered that in my heart and soul I had been an Episcopalian for the last 30 years sitting in the RC church. I didn't know it until I set out to find something more scriptually correct than the "new translation" of the Mass. I had been saying for years that the RC church can't provide the pastoral care to it's people with only celibate, male priests. That they needed married priests and women priests. I found what I knew was the Way that is now blessing my life in the Episcopal Church with Apostolic succession, the Blessed Sacrament, a reasonable translation of the Mass, married and women clergy and parishoners who take active roles in the operation of their parish (not having Father do everything). St. Francis spoke reform to the institutional status quo of the Church in his time. May we follow him in speaking reform into that same church, today. St. Francis spoke grace to all and helped the disabled and poor; he didn't burden them with guilt and shame. My vote for St. Francis today is for my belief in the reform of the church today. Looking forward to the whole Triduum celebration. Blessed Triduum to everyone, everywhere!

    1. And to you! The web site is wonderful. Thank you. Peace.

23. The San Damiano Retreat Center here in town would probably offer spiritual direction to anyone still indecisive about who to vote for.

24. Just now voted at almost 4pm MST. Brigid is trailing by 34 votes!

25. Wow, what a great final four, and conclusion to a wonderful Lenten exercise. How about some halos for thSEC and the celebrity bloggers?
    Francis has been special to me ever since senior year in college when I spent many hours writing my honors thesis on the cultural context of Lady Poverty to whom he was so Devoted. My cat Oliver attended the blessing of the Animals at St Johns Cathedral in Denver and sat through it with regal aplomb.
    But Brigid got my heart from the first round. My dad's Irish family's history has been the most difficult to trace and I only discovered my great grandmother Bridget O'Brien some twenty years ago. Since there are no family pictures of her I am going to put this lovely picture of Brigid and her crozier into my family album.
    I voted for her but am very happy with whomever wins.

26. What a wonderful journey this has been. Thank you the SEC and the talented celebrity bloggers, and to all of you who have enhanced the journey with your insightful, humorous, witty and spiritual comments. As always, you have made it a great ride and I've on again found my Lent enriched with this fun practice.

    I know we all will miss Lent Madness and it might be fun to do something in Advent. I just think it needs to be different, saving the madness for Lent or it won't be so special. Don't forget you can join in on 50 Days of Fabulous beginning with Easter!

    As far as the vote, GO BRIGID. You're about to cause an upset. Go Brigid! Go Brigid! Go Brigid!

27. This is such a cliff-hanger!!!!!!

28. I was going to vote for Francis all along, I named my son after him.....but Brigid got to me, especially with her prayer..

29. Brigid trails by 6 votes at 3:20 pm PDT! Good grief! This is the closest LM finish in history! (I think.)

30. Wow! I just checked in on the voting and saw St Francis ahead by just ten votes! What if there is a tie? Would the water in the birdbaths turn to beer?

    1. Ha Ha! GREAT one, Suzanne!

    2. I haven't participated in too many of these - has any saint ever made a comeback of over 250 votes when trailing by that much in the early-to-mid-afternoon? She was down about that much around 1:15 pm Central time when I checked.

       1. One year, the "Pineapple express" moved Queen Emma dramatically forward, but she did not prevail.
          Another time, the State Dept. rallied hugely for Frances Perkins, who did win the Golden Halo. Frances was a nice person who did good work in helping FDR establish soc. sec. Even so, some LMers began to think the State Dept. might just be a tad too large. Not to suggest cheating in that campaign. However, the vote count was very high in that particular match-up which did suggest a group joined LM just to promote one saint. Of course, that's not against the SEC rules. If there were such a group, each member of the group would have missed out on a lot of saintly smack downs and a lot of fun.
          Of course, we all know Lent Madness Is madness. Perhaps.

    3. One could hope........

    4. like!