Let's just state right off the bat that there is no room for nepotism in Lent Madness. Saints related to members of the Supreme Executive Committee are ineligible to compete for the Golden Halo.
Therefore, just because Francis of Assisi won the coveted Golden Halo last year, there was no funny business going on that led to Clare of Assisi's inclusion this year. The SEC was not coerced by the Assisi mafia. In fact, Clare only made it into the bracket by winning a play-in round against Chad of Lichfield held during the Episcopal Church's General Convention last summer.
Anyway, today Clare faces off against Denis. Please don't lose your head over this battle.
Yesterday, in a VERY tight contest, Columba eked out a victory over Kateri Tekakwitha 51% to 49% in the closest battle to date in Lent Madness 2016. Columba will face Meister Eckhart in the Saintly Sixteen. Sadly, we also saw our first case of voter fraud. At 11:02 pm EST, two addresses, in Vermillion, SD and Medford, OR were blocked. 125 votes for Kateri Tekakwitha were recorded from these two locations, and we do not know of groups participating in Lent Madness in those cities. Not enough votes were cast to affect the outcome, but we have blocked the addresses to prevent further votes. Remember, vote only once per person or be cast into the outer darkness of Lent Madness! Also, Jesus does not approve of cheating.
And finally, if you missed yesterday's edition of Monday Madness, Tim and Scott share suggestions on how to be a Lent Madness evangelist in your congregation. Using a Lent Madness mug in place of a chalice may or may not be one of their tips.
Clare
Often overshadowed by her friend Francis, Clare was one of the most dedicated followers of Saint Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi (and 2015 Golden Halo winner). Clare has been called a clear mirror of a life lived in deep spirituality, dedicated wholly to Christ, embracing the charisms of poverty, cloistered contemplation, and devotion.
Like Francis, Clare was born into a wealthy family in the late twelfth century. She led a life of prayer and devotion from early childhood. Sometime before 1212, Clare heard Francis preach. Soon after, her uncle arranged a marriage for her, and Clare fled to Francis, asking his advice. He implored her to live a life dedicated to Christ. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare began her contemplative life in a Benedictine house.
Her father came to the convent to retrieve her and (legend says) she clung to the altar so fiercely that the heavy altar cloths were torn. Clare, however gentle she is portrayed in prayer and devotion, was defiant in her dedication to the contemplative life. She eventually settled in the church of San Damiano, where she and other women became known as the Poor Ladies of Assisi. Clare served as their abbess, the head of the abbey.
Francis’s male followers were itinerant preachers; Clare and the sisters lived a cloistered life of prayer and poverty. For Clare, poverty was foundational to the order’s rule and preserved the purity of the Franciscan heritage. Clare saw poverty as a charism, a gift of the Holy Spirit, which offered the narrow way to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Clare, dedicated to ensuring the rule of total poverty, lobbied throughout her life for papal approval to ensure the Poor Clare’s Rule of Life. In 1253, Clare received news that the pope sanctioned the Rule. Two days later, she died.
Collect for Clare
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Denis
We know very little about Denis, a third-century missionary, martyr, and bishop of Paris. The most famous of his feats is also the most improbable: After being decapitated on Paris’ highest hill (today known as Montmartre), he reportedly picked up his own head and carried it six miles, preaching repentance the entire way. This makes Denis one of about fifty cephalophores— saints who are traditionally depicted carrying their heads in their own hands.
Denis’s story is shot through with myth and mystery. Because his name may have originally been Dionysius, he is sometimes confused with Dionysius the Areopagite, a judge converted by the apostle Paul (Acts 17:34). However, Denis is believed to have been a missionary sent by Pope Fabian to evangelize the Romans living in Lutetia (today’s Paris) along with his two inseparable companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius. The three of them may have settled on the island in the river Seine where Notre Dame was later erected.
In the year 250, the emperor Decius issued an edict ordering everyone in the empire to burn incense to the Roman gods and the emperor. Some Christians complied; others went into hiding, and some openly refused to perform the sacrifice. Denis, along with Rusticus and Eleutherius, may have been among those who refused and were executed. Or maybe they were executed because of their success at converting people to Christianity. Allegedly, Montmartre, the traditional place of their martyrdom, comes from the Latin expression Mons Martyrum (Martyr’s Hill); some reject this etymology as fanciful.
According to tradition, Denis collapsed after hiking (while carrying his head in his hands) some six miles north of downtown Paris. In the fifth or sixth century, his final resting place became a shrine, and a chapel was built. During the twelfth century, the impressive Saint Denis Basilica was erected on the spot.
Denis is the patron of Paris, and his basilica is often the burial place for France’s royalty. In the Roman Catholic tradition, he is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers—saints whose intercession is believed to be particularly effective against specific diseases. Denis’s special charism is to help people suffering from headaches.
Collect for Denis
Almighty God, we remember before you the life and ministry of your servant Denis, who even in the most extreme of circumstances, continued to preach the good news of your redemption and love. Grant us faithful companions on our journey to you, that we may encourage each other in our earthly pilgrimage with your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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258 comments on “Clare vs. Denis”
Thank you to everyone who is praying for my community. We are having a campus memorial service tomorrow.
Your Lent Madness community continues to hold you in their prayers.
Had I thought it would be a close contest, I should have voted for Claire, but Denis' story -- cephalaphore and all -- was just too good to not vote for him on this round.
I could have voted for Denis if more were known about him. Clare gets my vote today because more is known about her life, and I remember reading some beautiful things she wrote about reflections (in mirrors?)
and images of our inner selves years ago. I need to review these writings, since I've slept several times since then.
I was all set to vote for Clare (feminism, devotion, persistence, and the cloister all figuring in that opinion)...but I do love Paris, and my beloved husband pondered with me and swayed me over to Denis. And the collect was wonderful: we all need companions as we hike through the world in faith. Thank you, Hugo, for finding/writing that one; beautiful.
I voted for Clare--however, I appreciate knowing about Denis and his patron saint status in Paris. My grandfather was stationed at the Army Base Hospital in St. Denis during World War I and now I know where the name comes from. Thank you for inducing warm thoughts of his service there.
Claire has always been a favorite of mine, for her strength of faith and endurance. St. Denis' story seems more woven with fantasy....but then, I'm for anyone dealing w/headaches.
Named our daughters Emily Clare and Elizabeth Clare so that's my decision made. But I'm planning a nightmare tonight that will include a disembodied head with its lips going 100 mph...
I voted for Clare because, well, I go to St.Clare's Episcopal Church, so Clare is my home girl. But I must admit, if there was undeniable evidence that Denis really did walk seven miles carrying his own talking head (such as a Youtube video) I just might have gone the other way. But a rich girl choosing to live in poverty, cutting her hair(!) and eventually becoming the patron saint of television--I'm rooting for her to go all the way, and maybe even some day have a life size cardboard cutout of her made to stand along side her compatriot from Assissi.
Voted for Denis for two reasons. I favor doers over thinkers. But mostly I was hoping he'd make it to the kitsch round. Would love to see some of that. But it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.
I haven't much use for people about whom practically nothing is known except a few impossible myths (which by definition don't count as knowledge), and judging from the poll results, not many other people do. If there are already fifty "cephalophores" (a nice term to pull up at parties), what's another one here or there? Clare, on the other hand, has a lot going for her, not least being that she left a wealthy family to embrace poverty. A strong woman and leader. Lobbying a pope can't be easy (depending on the pope).
That's OK, I spoke with Denis a few minutes ago and he's not offended.
I voted for Clare because one of our Sunday School rooms is St Francis/St.Clare! We also have a Mary and Joseph room and a Abraham and Sarah one, and Adam and Eve! Always been a fan of Clare anyway, but walking 6 miles and carrying your own head is kind of impressive!
I do hope that when I implore Denis for relief from a headache he won't hold it against me that I'm voting today for Clare! I have long admired her devotion, and have - in my most fanciful moments - wished to live a life as dedicated as hers was.
I voted for Clare because we have Sunday School rooms named Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Joseph AND St. Francis and St.Clare!
I am hoping that Clare's victory in the playoff round did not leave a hanging Chad.
This has been a year for LM earworms. First we had Amazing Grace (Wilburforce), then The Singing Nun (Dominic), Love Came Down at Christmas (Rosetti), and today Gilbert O'Sullivan (Claire). Wow! Next???? That said, I voted Denis. At every level of education my language was French, in Pillars of the Earth, Jack goes to St. Denis and brings Gothic to England, and cephalophore! Lol
My earworm all day has been "With 'er 'ead Tucked Underneath 'er Arm" Wrong country, wrong beheaded (beheadee?) but still the melody lingers... 😉
And I noticed tonite that the percentages are pretty much the same as they were at 8:15AM. Are there those among us who track such things? SEC? I need to pay closer attention, but it seems to me that the opening ratios by 8:30 hold pretty steady for the duration.
I've noticed that several times this year. The percentages serum to hold steady all day, only fluctuating a point or so. A statistician among us might have an academic explanation. Lola.
Claire is my middle name, but that's not the reason I am voting for her. In a world now consumed by avarice and acquisition, I am humbled by and have much to learn from a woman who chose a life of poverty and prayers. Here was a woman with a request to the pope to establish a standard of Christian life which represented the life she lived. Her petition was granted and then she "went home." (That's how my husband refers to heaven, as "home." I like that.) Maybe she'll win the Golden Halo and join her brother in Christ.
Talking Heads? Never liked the rock group and these allegories were too over the top for me.
For me it's clear: it's Clare!
I had to vote for Denis because I have a brother with that name and you have to like someone who can keep his head under any circumstance! 🙂
I'm all in for Clare who is the patron saint of needle workers. I started sewing by age 9 - and have a big costume deadline for tomorrow. Are names destiny? Clare all the way because my Brother Frank ought not to be the only one in our family to have a namesake with a Golden Halo.
I had come prepared to vote for Clare, and my admiration is still undimmed. However, I did not know anything about St. Denis, other than he is the patron saint of Paris, and his story is just too good to miss. Go, St. Denis! (and St. Clare too, but I cannot vote twice!).
I know Clare is winning in a landslide here, but the story of St. Denis is just so mad that it deserves a vote. And how could you resist a beheaded Saint who intercedes on behalf of those with headaches?! Brilliant! Vive le St. Denis!
Have to go with Clare. Our family always enjoyed seeing the miniature horses raised by her nuns near Brenham, TX. Although, sadly, they aren't there anymore. http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Brenham-nuns-give-up-reins-on-mini-horses-1689470.php
I wasnt aware the nuns with the little horses werent there anymore. I never did get to visit them, even though I used to travel through Brenham regularly on the way to Camp Allen from Austin and back.
I hope you will find healing, Mary W.
Oh, we saw those horses when we lived in Texas. How sad!
Voted for Denis because I love the word cephalophore. It was one of my late mother's favourite threats that I would get my head in my hands to play with if I continued to ..... (fill in the blank with all manner of childhood misdemeanors such as "kick the back of the chair," "pull the cat's ears," "scuff my shoes.") I also like his sidekick Rusticus which I believe comes from the Latin "Rusticari" which means to practise farming or to speak like a rustic.
Oh, and I live within 20 km of St. Denis--but not in France.
I voted for Clare, because I admire the Franciscan tradition with which she and her friend Whatshisname are associated, and believe its identification with the poor and with the wider creation is an essential way forward for the Christian faith today (even if some Franciscans brought some disrepute to their tradition by their actions during the Inquisition and during the Spanish conquest of the New World). As well, I really can't vote for a saint for whom the main feature of his story is a legend of a beheaded head that continues to speak after beheading. "Cephalophore" is an impressive word, though.
Clare's devotion and her singlemindedness made my choice an easy one
THIS JUST IN! Not to deal further humiliation to poor Denis, but I've just learned that Clare is the patron saint of television! According to Wikipedia, "Pope Pius XII designated her as the patron saint of television in 1958, on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room."
Flat-screen, no less!
Sorry if this repeats something someone's already posted, but it's clearly information that needs to be out there.
Oops, I see Peggy did, at 9:55 a.m. Missed it, sorry.
I admit my heart wasn't in this one all that much, so after a prolonged period of staring at the flowers on the wall I went with Clare and her willingness to defy paternal (and patriarchal) authority. She sought to bring order into the spiritual life of those around her, and in that sense she reminds us that effective efforts at evangelizing begin with getting one's own life in order. Benedictines have my attention always, from the first time I read Dom Gregory Dix to the time a noted and rather lordly Benedictine visited the Cowley Fathers' Bowdoin Street mission, prompting the priest in charge to mutter that the visiting missioner was "a real O. S. B." We knew just what he meant, even though this happened before the publication of "The Name of the Rose"!
I voted for Denis so that maybe he could help with this headache I'm having.
While a myth "doesn't count as knowledge," understanding the nature and function of a given myth does. The legend of St. Denis is one in a series of myths exploring what happens when cultures and their faiths collide--and that's something we need to understand now, when our own faith is embedded in a world-wide religion. With respect,
I did not vote for Clare because it appears she may have prayed for others, but living in poverty is not terribly helpful or enabling, I feel.
Denis on the other hand was a preacher - with or without his head - and converted many to Christianity away from idolatry to Roman gods and the Emperor.
I agree. Denis had to sacrifice his life to be a Christian.
Had to vote for Denis. Gotta respect someone who doesn't lose his head just because he, er, loses his head.
As a Harry Potter fan, I have to go with the embodiment of Gryffindor's House Ghost, Nearly Headless Nick. Go Denis!!
Saint of headaches? Or neck injuries? Apologies! But, Clare vote