Only in Lent Madness would you find a monk battling a nun across the centuries. Yet this is exactly what we have today as Constance, a 19th century American nun takes on Dominic, a 12th century Spanish monk.
Yesterday Meister Eckhart squared off against Drogo, and, sadly, it appears that the Patron Saint of Coffee entered the Lent Dome after drinking some Sanka. Eckhart handed Drogo the cup of defeat 55% to 45% and will go on to face the winner of Columba vs. Kateri Tekawitha in the Saintly Sixteen.
It may surprise you, but Lent Madness is not the only way to learn about saints. If you're interested in online Christian formation opportunities, ChurchNext is a valuable resource, with online video classes on all sorts of topics. Click here for information about a four-part video series hosted by the SEC titled "Praying with the Saints with Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck." Here's the official blurb:
In the Christian faith, the lives of exemplary Christians have inspired countless people to live more selfless and charitable lives. While a the word 'saint' can apply to any believer, as Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck explain, the term can also be applied to those who have lived particularly faithful lives. In this class, they help us understand more deeply the roles of the saints in history - and in our lives. Their lectures include: 1) What Is a Saint? 2) A History 3) How Can We Be Saints? 4) How to Pray with the Saints.
Constance
In 1981 the Anglican Communion moved to recognize a group of Episcopal nuns, the Martyrs of Memphis (or Constance and her Companions) for their heroic efforts in caring for the victims of the yellow fever epidemic of 1878.
Constance and her sisters belonged to the Order of Saint Mary. Along with eight sisters, Constance moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to establish a school. Before the new school could open for the 1873 term, an epidemic of yellow fever hit the town. Over half of the city’s residents fled. Those who remained were poor, sick, and disenfranchised. Five thousand contracted the fever, and 2,000 died. Constance and her companions were the caregivers for sixty of these patients. Because of their amazing care, only eight of their patients died. As the epidemic subsided, the sisters were finally able to open their school in 1874.
Four years later, mosquitoes descended once again on the city. Once again, people fled Memphis. Constance (along with a number of other nuns—both Roman and Anglican—several priests, a handful of doctors, and a prostitute) remained in Memphis to care for the afflicted. Records from the 1878 epidemic indicate this strain of yellow fever infected around 90 percent of the city’s population. So many people died that Memphis lost its charter as a city. It took fourteen years for the population to recover from mass casualties.
Constance and her companions were victims of the epidemic. Constance died on September 8, 1878, and is buried in the historic Elmwood Cemetery. Her last words were, “Alleluia, Hosanna.”
Collect for Constance
We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and the dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dominic
Born in Castile, Spain, in 1170, Dominic entered the priesthood at Osma. In 1206, he accompanied his bishop on a visit to an area held by a group called Albigenses. Dominic and the bishop stayed at an Albigensian inn on the first night of their trip. Dominic didn’t get much sleep. Throughout the night, Dominic conversed with the innkeeper, and when the new day dawned, the innkeeper had been converted.
This conversion was a turning point in Dominic’s life. He felt called to study this sect’s beliefs and engage in public debates comparing Christianity to Albigensian beliefs. He and the bishop made some progress, but in 1207 the bishop died and the Albigensians murdered a papal legate, a personal representative of the pope. This murder prompted the pope to declare a crusade against the Albigenses.
One of the tenets of Dominic’s life was a commitment to living in poverty. He thought an obstacle to the conversion of heretics was the material wealth of some of the clergy. With the approval of the pope, the order founded by Dominic became officially known as the Order of Preachers. They became known informally as the Dominicans or Blackfriars (because of their black habits).
Dominic was offered a bishopric and refused three times, feeling called to his work as a preacher and teacher. He died in 1220 in Bologna, Italy, after returning from one of his many preaching missions.
Collect for Dominic
God of the prophets, you opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching and fervent devotion: Make your Church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in love to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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249 comments on “Constance vs. Dominic”
My niece is a nurse who works very hard.......this one is for Constance.......also ponder the meaning of her name........she remained true to her calling.
I love Dominic, but as a former Memphian I must vote for Constance.
Constance was constant. You go Girl!
Dealing over the last 6 years with oncology nurses, my admiration for nurses is limitless and for this icon of steadfastness of whom I knew nothing. Saluting Constance!
This is a tough one for me. I don't think Dominic should be held responsible for the later acts of his followers; I doubt he would have approved. I also think that sitting down and talking with someone with an opposing viewpoint for a long time results in a sounder 'conversion' than merely taking over their territory by arms and oppressing them. Finally, I admire the abdication/refusal of wealth, just as I admire that in the current pope. Constance's contributions are obvious, and I like to hear about Anglican nuns. Well, when I started writing this, I was going to vote for Constance, but now I think I might have talked myself into Dominic. Besides, he seems like such an underdog right now and that makes me want to back him.
Well said, Mary. I agree Dominic should be appreciated for what he did, rather than condemned for later "followers" who went to places he never intended or envisioned. I voted for Dominic, but I'm glad to have met Constance. It's yet another win-win day. Either saint would look nice in a Golden Halo.
In honor of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nashville, TN who are just simply amazing, I voted for Dominic!
The Dominicans have built so many schools in here in Africa and carried out such wonderful educational work - but the dedication to the poor and suffering shown by Constance gets my vote here in Zululand where medical care is under stress with thousands infected with HIV, often co-infected with TB and compounded by poverty.
Constance has my vote. She stayed. Constancy wins the day!
(I was predisposed to like her because my parents, Raymond and Becky Pate, joked that if they had four daughters they might name them Antica, Partica, Emanca, and Consta!)
Took me a while to get that, but I got it!!
Haha!
This was a hard choice. The Dominicans have helped people for centuries and so, by founding the order, Dominic had a huge impact.
Nonetheless, I voted for Constance. She is a challenging mentor for those of us who are tempted to want to wait for the perfect opportunity to change the world in huge ways. Her life models the witness: You step up to the moment and do what you can to manifest love and hope. The big things will take care of themselves.
As someone who attended Kemper Hall in Kenosha, WI run by the Sisters of St. Mary, I had to vote for Constance.
Constance put her life on the line for others following Jesus for sure and I liked the part that she was accompanied by many diverse peoples with the same commitment.
Had a son graduate from Providence College. Best school ever! HLaurelave to go with Dominic and the Dominicians. Go Friars!
We have a granddaughter there and we had a good friend named Dominic– good reasons to vote for Dominic, or so I thought. I knew of Constance but rereading about her and her sacrificial life and death tipped the scales for me in the end.
I voted for Constance for all the reasons already mentioned - her courage and selflessness and endurance. And also because her last words moved me very much. How wonderful to die saying Alleluia!
I live in Memphis and had the privilege of attending a DOK program on the Martyrs at St. Mary's Cathedral last fall. I was humbled to learn of their persistence in the face of death and willingness to serve God and neighbor. Their story has stuck with me in the months since and reminds me to pray for faith when the world around me looks ugly and doesn't make sense.
I don't normally vote for personal ties (because I usually don't have one) but today I'm going with Constance because I've seen the fruit of her work with my own eyes.
I voted for Constance because my sister-in-law's name is Constance and she's a very dedicated neurologist. I don't know that she was named after the saint, but I thought that was very cool that they both ended up caring for people in their physical needs.
I'm a retired nurse. I voted for Constance. I hope in a similar situation I'd have the guts to stay.
Constance gets my vote for remaining faithful. Having faith. Getting the job done. Women in the Church..... YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Constance stayed. Constant presence in fearful times when others flee is a reminder for me - it's not about me, it's about we. Constance for me today.
Dominic was awesome, for sure. But, Constance won my vote, today. Constance, along with a few others, stayed to help heal the sick selflessly. One thing that won me over is that during the second round of sickness, one prostitute stayed to help, as well. Constance probably worked right beside this prostitute to help those who were sick. This is something that Jesus would have done, in the same situation.
I was told by Franklin Wright, PhD, who was diocesan historian and expert of the Martyrs, that she and her "ladies" (she was a madam of some note at the time) came to Saint Mary's offering money and assistance and were told they and their money were not welcome. Rev. Charles Parson's intervened and welcomed them. I am not sure how she died but she is buried with the Howard Society who purchased her tombstone.
Constance for sure! Selfless in aiding those truly in need. I have a feeling she will go very far in this competition!
I also found this a difficult choice -- so much in favor of each saint. However, since we've already had faithfulness in time of pestilence in the story of Absalom Jones, and since Dominic is the patron saint of Managua (capital of Nicaragua), I voted for Dominic. It appears I also voted for the underdog! (I never look at the results before voting myself.)
I assumed Dominic was the heavyweight here, and that I would be casting a vote in a losing cause, but now I see that Constance is running away with it. Reading the comments above, I can see why. I was also impressed by her dedication and her working with others outside her personal faith. And also that she died as a direct result of her love for God. It is interesting that this one nameless prostitute got singled out, however. I wonder if she died of yellow fever as well. Alleluia, Constance, Hosanna!
I had to vote for Dominic just based on the impact he had on the greater church. Dominic was like Francis, but for some reason is not as sexy to people--not only did he live a life of apostolic poverty, but he realized that priests needed to be better educated to help their message appeal to reason; in turn, they could then educate, and so began the Dominican schools. I just got back from three weeks in the Dominican Republic and was also reminded how much more the Dominicans advocated for the indigenous people there than say, the Franciscans (for example, Bartolomé de las Casas was a Dominican.) Dominic is going to lose, I can see, but he gets my vote because his unique vision changed the church.
I voted for him too because I thought he was a not just a great role-model but made bigger impact on the world. Thank you for the great points you make to defend him.
I agree, Sue. Dominic it is for me, while admiring Constance and her little band of selfless people greatly,
After I voted for Constance, having used her life example to help sustain a fast in her honor last fall, I was shocked to see Dominic so lost in her shadow. We've a friary and church here of Dominicans. I almost cast my vote in that direction. Francis said "If necessary, use words" -- Dominicans sure did.
Anyhow -- I'm hoping at least one example of Constance kitsch has an Elvis connection.
The Anglican nun, Constance, got my vote. I have great respect for nuns in general such as Nuns on the Bus in recent times (Roman) and also the Sisters of the Holy Nativity (Episcopalian) who took me in for my first Christmas alone after my family fell apart. They were so supportive and uplifting! Sisters of St. Anne, in Arlington, Massachusetts, are also wonderful and offer beautiful programs in my own New England area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Anne_(Anglican)
Constance also won my vote since her work involved mosquitoes, and that's relevant right now with the virus being spread by those insects causing birth defects in pregnant women, Zika, causing birth defects such as microcephaly. Perhaps it's appropriate to invoke her intercession on behalf of this situation?
Nice evaluation, Judy!
Thank you, Judy. I also started thinking of the Zika virus and truly believe that Constance and her companions will be there, in spirit, guiding the health care workers, the parents of the children already born with microcephaly and those sweet children/angels...
Going with the Anglican nun for sure. I was an aspirant to the Sisters of the Holy Nativity at one point and they have been a big part of my spiritual formation in general. They are fading so pray for them. Staying makes them living sermons about risking all for love. It speaks louder than any preaching. especially if the preaching is not followed up by action.
I think that this post is unfair to the Albigenses, or Cathari as they are also known. They were just as Christian as the Catholic Church. Some of their beliefs were kind of weird, almost Gnostic, but they were very peaceful for the most part. They did not kill the Pope's emissary; a knight in service of Raymond VI did. The Cathari were anti-violence, to the extend that many were vegetarians. And how did the Church respond? With a brutal crusade, culminating in a massacre at Beziers where 20,000 people were killed and mutilated. I don't know if Dominic approved or not, but he was alive when it happened.
Dominic did not approve. One of his guiding principles was that love and nonviolence was the way to bring people to Christ.
As a woman and a social worker with a specialty in healthcare I had to go with Constance. I had no idea all this happened in Memphis in the 19th century! This was a tough choice, and yet another match up where Constance's opponent would also be a worthy recipient of the Golden Halo. They both were exemplary examples of the faithful life.
The extermination of the Cathars is not Christianity's finest hour. Constance- staying for the second epidemic when she knew what the first was like gets my vote.
My mother was named after two aunts who were both Roman nuns who were sent from Germany to the US and who both died here, one in Tennessee. The choice was clear for me today.
Hard choice this morning. I went with Dominic for a reason no one has yet mentioned: he seemed to me a rare example of a theologian (defined broadly) who engaged in "systemic thinking." That is, he considered the root causes of Albigensian discontent with the dominant church. He recognized that the material wealth of many of the mainstream orders was a direct contradiction of their spiritual claims, and he saw that as a source of corruption. So he was able to imagine the humanity of his "opponents." I thought that was subtle and admirable. Caring for the sick, while completely worthy, is well within the norm of Christian values and actions. Imagining the humanity and recognizing the justice in the claims of "the other" is not so much practiced or even viewed as acceptable. Today when we face very real challenges to address tensions with our Muslim neighbors (to offer one example), Dominic seems to me to be a germ/kernel of an early effort to view people in their human motivations within a larger ideological context. (He would not have put it in those words, I am sure.) Though he seems sure to go down to defeat today, I think his model is important one for us. Caring for the sick (and I do not begrudge Constance what seems to be her assured victory) is absolutely within the bounds of accepted practice. Seeking to behold the humanity of an enemy is not, though we are exhorted in the gospels to do so. Dominic walked the walk in a way that exposed him to some risk as well (not to disease but to censure). He was not maligned by the church as some innovators were, but he pushed the conceptual bounds of charity. (I probably could have said that in half the words, but I had to think it through as I typed. Y'all can have a cup of coffee in honor of Drogo yesterday!) Dominic has my vote today.
Agreed! (Sorry, haven't had my coffee yet, so that's as many words as you'll get out of me right now.)
I like it when folks think "aloud" on this space! Thanks for your thoughts on Dominic. Good point!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. They are soooo true! It's breaking my heart to see him doing so badly.