Another day, another mystic, as the great thinker Meister (please don't call me 'Mister') Eckhart faces off against Drogo, 12th century saintly soul and patron saint of coffee. WARNING: Don't even try to make your choice without first drinking a hot, steaming cup of coffee -- as long as this action will in no way ultimately influence your vote.
Yesterday in a tight, emotionally-charged contest, amid heavy voting, Julian of Norwich prevailed over William Wilberforce 52% to 48%. Julian will face the winner of Roch vs. Gertrude in the next round.
The SEC also released their weekly Monday Madness video in which a contest(!) was announced. Watch now to learn how you can own the cardboard cutout of 2015 Golden Halo winner, Francis Assisi (as seen at the Episcopal Church's 2015 General Convention).
And finally, if you need to add some extra Lent Madness commentary to your day, tune in to Priest Pulse's recent interview with one half of the Supreme Executive Committee (Tim). We suggest listening to it while on the treadmill, for that extra motivation, or during your commute, to make it speed seamlessly by.
Meister Eckhart
Eckhart von Hochheim, commonly known as Meister Eckhart, is one of the greatest mystics of the Christian tradition. After his initial schooling, he alternated between the universities at Cologne and Paris, first as a student and later as a professor. Born in Germany around 1260, Meister Eckhart joined the Dominican Order of Preachers as a young man. He returned to Strasbourg in 1314, but his popularity soon began to draw the wrong kind of attention.
Encouraged by the Archbishop of Cologne, the head of the Dominican Order in the German region investigated the soundness of Eckhart’s doctrine and cleared him of heresy. Unsatisfied with these findings, the archbishop ordered a more formal and comprehensive review. In February, 1327, despite Eckhart’s public declarations of innocence, he was called before the Inquisitors, who declared him a heretic.
Eckhart appealed his conviction to the Holy See. Accompanied by his Dominican superiors, Eckhart traveled to Avignon and submitted himself to
the judgment of Pope John XXII. Following the usual procedure, the appointed examiners did not receive complete texts of the writings to be judged, only suspicious lines taken out of context. On March 27, 1329, the papal commission upheld the conviction from Cologne, but by that time Eckhart had died, insisting to the end that he was faithful to the teachings of the Church.
Eckhart was a subtle and creative thinker. His Latin commentaries, produced for advanced Dominican students, demonstrate his mastery of the technical categories of the Scholastic philosophy. His German sermons were engaging and poetic, filled with puns and wordplay, drawing heavily on the vocabulary of courtly love, adapting it to speak of the birth of the Word in the soul.
After centuries of neglect, Meister Eckhart’s teachings experienced a revival at the end of the nineteenth century. Similarities between his thought and the mystical traditions of Asia have made him a fruitful resource for modern interreligious dialogue.
Collect for Meister Eckhart
O God, create in us hearts reconstructed by your simple goodness. Thank you for the life of your servant Meister Eckhart, who, for the love of you, put his life and honor at the feet of power to speak plainly of your abundance. Grant that we too might be awed by your marvelous depth of creativity and mystery, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Drogo
Near the beginning of the twelfth century, Drogo was born into a family of Flemish nobility—but his path began to change immediately. Drogo’s father died prior to his birth, and his mother died because of complications in childbirth. The newborn orphan was given over to the care of family members. When he was ten-years-old, Drogo, a sensitive child, was devastated to learn the cause of his mother’s death and held himself personally responsible for it.
Reaching adulthood, Drogo renounced the wealth and ease that was his birthright and became a shepherd in the Flemish countryside. During his time in the pastures, Drogo developed a reputation for holy living and for the spiritual gift of bilocation. Tradition holds that Drogo would be observed in
the fields praying while watching his flocks and simultaneously attending worship in the village.
After a time, perhaps still seeking to assuage the guilt he felt for his mother’s untimely death, Drogo felt called to head out on pilgrimage. Drogo traveled to Rome in order to encounter the holy places and relics there. Over the course of nine years, he traveled to Rome and back nine times.
These pilgrimages came to an end when Drogo was afflicted by an unknown malady, which caused him disfigurement and estrangement from his community. In order to protect the residents of the village where he lived from his appearance, Drogo took up a hermit’s life. He took up residence in a cell adjacent to the local parish church and lived there for the rest of his life. Stories say that when a fire engulfed his cell, Drogo refused to leave and was discovered praying among the ashes.
Lately discovered by popular culture, Drogo of Sebourg is the subject of countless listicles, thanks to his identification as the patron saint of coffeehouses and baristas. Drogo died on April 16, 1186, and was buried in the parish church in which he had spent the majority of his life. For obvious reasons, Drogo is the patron of unattractive and repulsive people. It is less clear why he has long been associated with coffee—so we will pour another cup and ponder this connection.
Collect for Drogo
God of unsearchable wisdom, you hear us praying even among the ashes of our lives. Thank you for the example of your servant Drogo, who lived a life of deep prayer despite profound suffering, who walked holy roads and prayed for worldly souls. Grant us the grace to seek your face in all things and in all places. We ask this for the love of your son, Jesus. Amen.
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288 comments on “Meister Eckhart vs. Drogo”
Had to vote for Froyo. Because of the way he felt about the death of his mother, and that he never knew his father. Also I'm a coffee phanatic and my daughter is a barista so that needs no further explanation. No I have not entered the Mug shot contested butvplsn too.
"mug shot" - play-on-words of the day. Love it!
I had to redo my comment because spell check destroyed the original one.
Had to vote for Drogo. Because of the way he felt about the death of his mother, which seems to have motivated his religious life. Plus, that he never knew his father. Also I’m a coffee fanatic and my daughter is a barista so that needs no further explanation. No I have not entered the Mug shot contest yet but plan to. Love the bilocate aspect also. Who hasn't ever wanted to do that.
Meister E got my vote.
Do not let Julian be far from your mind!
Somewhat of a listicle for today!
1.) Feedback: So much to love about Lent Madness! Great writing. Wonderful humor. Lots of learning. And, the visuals and collects supplied are inspirational! Bonus learning today: I found out what a "listicle" is. I share this feedback with gratitude to the Supreme Executive Committee leading most fruitful collaboration that gives us a blending of ancient stories and contemporary culture. I love reading comments from which I also learn or get a giggle. So, it's all good! Thanks everyone!
2.) My vote today: I knew I'd vote for Meister Eckhart as soon as I saw him in the Round of 32. I've long been a reader and fan of theologian Matthew Fox who was also a Dominican, silenced by the Vatican three times! Last thing I heard, he left his beloved Dominican order and was embraced as an Episcopal priest. (Anyone know about this?) Only today did I grasp the significance of Fox's and Eckhart's shared Dominican connection along with severe papal admonishments.
3.) Suggestion: Given Matthew Fox's tawdry, in-our-lifetime treatment by Rome, and in anticipation of 2017 Lent Madness, I humbly submit him for consideration if Lent Madness offers voting if one remains among the Saints of God on earth.
Blessings!
JudyB
I actually studied Creation Spirituality when I worked on my masters in Theology back in the early 90s when Fox was still a Roman Catholic - love that he is now an Episcopal priest.
Laurel -- I have been an ardent Creation Spirituality adherent for a long time, and my claim to fame as such is that I actually danced with Matthew Fox at the Episcopal Diocese of RI day-long retreat years ago. He led us in a beautiful and worshipful dance, and I thought I'd feel odd doing it, but it was quite wonderful! Love that man!
As a school mouse and lover of languages, I voted for Meister Eckhardt. Note that I did not call him "mister," although that's what we Episcopalians in the Diocese of West Texas called our rectors back in the day.
I went with Eckhart. Drogo brought thoughts of Lord of the Rings "Drogo Baggins". and as much as I enjoyed that tale I was not real impressed with St. Drogo. No real theological gleaning from this gentle soul. Although I do admire his ability to bilocate. Yet there is no explanation of what he did to grow the kingdom or enlighten the people of God. So, I went with Eckhart. Even though I may not completely agree with his teachings I love how he challenged the satus quo of then and now.
Laurel - Perhaps not a bad thing to connect Drogo with "Baggins" since CS Lewis and fellow writers in his group, including JRR Tolkien, wrote in deeply Christian metaphors, and even The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were typical of such. I think it was actually Bilbo Baggins though, but there must have been a Drogo in there somewhere. LOL!!
Note -- actually got your name -- Laureli -- correct but darn old auto-correct turned it into Laurel! Keep wishing there was a way to do more with editing when we post. Sorry to get your name wrong.
While I was tempted to vote for Drogo simply because he is the Patron Saint of Coffee (really do you need any other reason?), alas I did not. I ended up voting for Eckhardt because I've ready a few of his texts and because of this line: "Following the usual procedure, the appointed examiners did not receive complete texts of the writings to be judged, only suspicious lines taken out of context." How often does this continue today, where we take thing out of context to decide who's in and who's out? Lord have mercy!
After much struggle (I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee ) I voted for Meister Eckhardt because he was condemned by quotes out of context?
Coffee? Did you say coffee? Drogo got my vote!
How about we vote off both if these "saints" and restore yesterday's "loser" ,The great and wonderful William Wilberforce?
As much as I love coffee and learning the (presumed) origin of Khal Drogo's name in Game of Thrones, I'm going with the scholar, writer of Latin, and falsely accused.
I have to vote for the patron saint of coffee and ugly people.
Had to go with Meister because that whole anchorite thing that Drogo did leaves me cold, even with bilocation. I know, Julian did it yesterday, but still...Community is where it's at and Meister lived in community, so I lift my bilocational cup of coffee to Meister Eckhart!
Received my daily email, but no place to vote?
Drogo, because who doesn't need to learn how to be in two places at once? Also, coffee.
I voted for Drogo because he is the patron saint of the unattractive. Saintliness of the soul is deeper than beauty of the form! Also, his name reminds me of Khal Drogo of the Dothraki, sun to Danarys's moon. (That's a Game of Thrones reference.)
Oh Wow, We have a time-traveler! Perhaps I should have voted for Meister after all as my faithful church secretary Helen Crosby pointed out that Meister leaped forward in time from the 1300s to sometime before 1963 to speak to Pope John XXII who died in 1963!
So, does someone else know the 'rest of the story'?
Marissa Wight- I believe that was Pope John XXIII....
The gnarled and gnarly fingers of church politics were all around poor Eckhart's fate. His insistence of his innocence and his faith despite the fact that there was no way he could win give the way power played were reasons enough to vote for him.
My thoughts as well, Kim!
Kim, Drogo's bilocation was a strong argument in his favor, but I voted for
Meister Eckhart for just the reason you cited. Clearly, since he was later
declared a saint, it is obvious that he was no heretic. I suspect that Mother
Jo is right that the archbishop's jealousy was a major reason he was accused.
All the best to both of today's saints!
I have prayed mightily for the power to bi-locate, but since the Lord hasn't seen fit to bestow that gift upon me (yet!) I choose Meister. Besides, I'll always identify more with word lover like him.
I voted for Drogo because I too want to bilocate and I am asking him to intercede to the Lord for me to that end. Also, anyone who can be the patron of ugly coffee drinkers is my friend.
A hard choice today. I went with Drogo to thank the heavens for the coffee I love every morning. But I am sympathetic to Meister E. and all the quotes taken out of context.
Meister -- for all those who have been condemned for comments taken out of context. I am happy that he finally was heard in full.
Another very tough choice. At one time, I was drawn to Meister Eckhardtl; and Jakob Boehme in a first study of the Western mystical tradition, and I'm aware that decades later it's time for me to tread that path again, but I was very deeply moved by the story of Drogo, which calls attention to the active side of his piety. He's earthy, he's practical, and he's been beloved of what St. Augustine called "the holy common people of God" (plebs sancta Dei). I decided to go with Drogo. And please note: the numbering of Popes named John was complicated by the reign of Antipope John XXIII (Cardinal Baldassare Cossa (1370-1419). This causes the anomaly of numbering. The saga of Meister Eckhardt exemplifies the trials (literal and metaphorical) that arise when the Church takes up the role of administrator. (signed) Johannes non Papa
I didn't get to vote. No prompt on my email. 🙁
Voted for Drogo because I was pretty sure Meister E would prevail--and finding out he's the patron saint of ADD, I am glad to have done so. Not to mention coffee and protecting the Khaleesi! 😉
As a Lutheran and mother of a barista, I have to vote for Drogo. I thought Episcopalians drank only sherry.
Usually after Evensong.
Episcopalians, otherwise known as the denomination where the typical church kitchen has one can opener and five corkscrews? Our parish, known for the post-Great Vigil chocolate and champagne feast? Sherry, yes, and anything else we can get our thirsty little hands on.
Coffee. Giving up his birthright. Bilocation. An awesome trifecta!
really....PATRON.SAINT.OF.COFFEE. no need to continue reading --vote done.
Admiring Drogo for his loss of both parents, and feeling much for the suffering that ensued,
(I am just now reading a moving/horrifying book about children who suffer extreme losses:
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, by Bruce D. Perry, M.D. and Maia Szalavitz, subtitled
And Other Stories From a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook, What traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing), I am suspicious of anyone who reputedly bi-located.
Thinking highly of Meister Eckhart for years, I think he can handle it, if he's isn't voted in.
So I'll vote for the underdog and lesser known, Drogo.
I am ultimately suspicious of anyone who bi-locates.
On the origin of Drogo as the patron of baristas:
The alternate spelling/pronunciation is Dreggo, which comes from the Latin for "bottom of the coffe pot". Traditionally, the baristas were allowed to drink whatever was left after customers were served. Therefore, St. Dreggo (aka Drogo) became the patron saint of baristas, and by extension, coffee .
I'm guessing "dregs" comes from this word.
Ugly people have a patron saint? Who knew? I tend to vote for the fascinating saint that I never heard of before, so Drogo gets my vote. But years ago I wrote a book on caffeine, so his coffee connection cemented the deal.
No ballot was included so could not vote.
You have to go to the website
https://www.lentmadness.org/2016/02/meister-eckhart-vs-drogo/#more-5623