The fast and furious pace of the Saintly Sixteen continues today as Martin de Porres faces Maria Skobtsova. To get to this round, Martin defeated John of Beverley and Dymphna while Maria took down Thomas à Kempis and Quiteria.
In yesterday's saintly action, Richard Hooker and his three-legged stool buried Phocas the Gardner and will face the winner of tomorrow's battle between Anna Alexander and Eglantyne Jebb in the Faithful Four.
As we get deeper into the season, many of the Lent Madness faithful must decide between two saints they voted for in previous rounds. Oh, the agony! And yet in the end, despite all the amazing saintly souls, only one will emerge victorious.
Martin de Porres
St. Martin de Porres Velázquez, born in 1579, died in 1639, and lived his entire life in Peru. After years of disrespect and oppression, he was eventually admitted as a lay brother of the Dominican Order.
Martin was known for his kindness to those with no hope; his compassion to the sick, the weary, and children; his healing abilities; and his miracles.
In artwork, windows, statues, statuettes, medals, holy cards, posters, and books, he wears the Dominican lay brother habit, often with a broom (because no chore was beneath him), sometimes with a dog, a cat and a mouse or a bird.
He is a media star, too. Among the movies and television shows depicting his life are the 1963 film Fray Escoba (Friar Broom) and 1975 Un mulato llamado Martin.
A character in the popular 1980 novel A Confederacy of Dunces prays to Martin for justice for black factory workers. Jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams honors him with “St. Martin De Porres,” a track from Black Christ of the Andes.
Martín de Porres Velázquez - St. Martin of Charity - St. Martin the Charitable - the first Black Saint from the Americas - Saint of the Broom – pray for us.
Maria Skobtsova
Being a Russian Orthodox nun living in Nazi-occupied France, you might think that Maria Skobtsova would not have much in the way of kitsch. You would be wrong.
Maria excels not just at poetry, not just at theology, and not just at Nazi-fighting, but also at kitsch-producing. Behold, for starters, this lovely icon. It includes a quote from her, as well as the crucifix she showed the German official who asked her where she was hiding the Jews during her interrogation. (Not without a sense of humor, was Maria.)
She also has her own street in Paris! That’s right! Smack dab in the 15e Arrondissment, a street sign memorializes the life of “Mère Marie Skobstova,” (In English the sign reads: Resistance member assassinated at Ravensbruck)
Oh, did I not mention she was an artist?
YOU BET YOUR BORSCHT SHE WAS. Look at this icon she embroidered! (That’s embroidery, y’all.)
And this one, that she drew, of a Russian saint who I’m sure is very holy, but appears to be doing a little dance!
Now, perhaps you are a bit sad, because what you are looking for is some fun kitsch. Some wacky kitsch. You’re in luck!
If you truly want to follow in the poetry-writing, icon-embroidering, beer-drinking footsteps of Maria, then firstly, you need a crucifix. I recommend this one. It is an excellent size to brandish in the face of any fascists you might encounter in your daily life. Carry it in your pocket and if someone asks you to do anything evil, pull it out and wave it in their face! Also wards off vampires, so: bonus!
You’ll also need a notebook, for those flashes of inspiration. There are many to choose from, of course. We have the inappropriately-religious themed (that’s….not what that verse is about) to the humble-brag themed, to the hipster meme-approved! Definitely something for everyone! (My money is on Maria owning the last one.)
To conclude on a more solemn note, Maria did leave a final, poignant bit of herself behind, as well as a lot of amazing work and inspiration. While she was in Ravensbrück, she traded her bread rations each day for a bit of colored thread, so she could continue to make art. She embroidered icons, including one of the British landing at Normandy, until she died. Her work, up until her final moments, was bringing light and joy into the lives of those around her in any possible way she could, even in the worst possible conditions. And miraculously, her final work survived the camps.
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159 comments on “Martin de Porres vs. Maria Skobtsova”
Impossible choice! I voted, but I believe both of these saints deserve the Golden Halo, and whoever doesn't make it to the finals should come back next year!!
Resist!!!
This was really hard. I had to choose between “y’all” and A Confederacy of Dunces! Voted for Martin because of the animals; my daughter is a veterinarian.
In any other matchup, I'd be all about Martin de Porres, but I think Maria is the one this year. Every writing about her, even this one with the kitsch, speaks to me. She is the Lent Madness hero we need right now.
I voted for Martin. We don't often get to celebrate the life of a black saint. I was ordained at St. Martin's church on the west side of Chicago and I cant tell you how many people in the neighbor,hood especially our young people, we're excited to have a saint that represented them. He still is an inspiration. But I'm seeing a pattern here. This is the year of the woman, and poor Martin doesn't have a chance. Ah well, I'm so far down no one will read my post anyway..
I read it! And I celebrate you and your thoughts and Martin.
“St” Carla’s horns hold up that halo.
So did I! I also hope to vote for St. Martin in a future Lent Madness.
I'm not supporting Maria because she's a woman. I'm supporting her because she stood up to tyranny, spoke truth to power, acted on behalf of those who couldn't defend themselves, and through it all kept hope for a better world, despite all indicators to the contrary. Her story and that time period is so relevant to now. She inspires me and I hope to emulate her in any way possible.
I voted for Martin. I love his humble patience and his kitsch. Megan is an entrancetress ( yes a made up word but expresses my feelings accurately)
First Black saint from the Americas and then.....to be in A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES pretty well clinches it for me despite the fact that Martin is already behind. Also, the late, great jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams honored him musically...Not bad for a lay brother who cared naught for fame and honors and proudly carried his broom to clean up messes. He's a mainstay for Catholics who adore him and hopefully are voting for him today.
I would, in normal times, vote for St. Martin, given his impact on so many, world-wide. But, I voted for Maria who was so courageous, and yet not full of herself. In the present turbulent times, we need a beacon of bravery and courage, like that of Maria.
I've been trying all day to decide between these two saints who have won my heart and mind! I still remember the joyful celebration when the beloved Pope canonized St. Martin; that got the attention of even Methodist clergy! But Mother Maria's resisting Nazism with such determination and even humor (though I'm sure she wasn't laughing and the storm troopers failed to get the joke), and paying the ultimate price, leads me to vote for her this time.
Either one would be a most worthy winner of the Golden Halo. Voted for Martin because he's behind, but will be very happy if Maria wins and goes on to win the halo, too.
Mama J, NO birth is an "accident" in God's eyes. I think Martin knew that, and it empowered him to overcome the injustices against him and to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the world, in spite of "the world, the flesh and the devil."
Too funny - I had exactly the same thought: EfM worship!
How great it is to see someone say "exactly the same " instead of the incorrect "exact same" which is so dreadfully common now — THANK YOU!
Did I mention the jazz album??
such a negative reason for a vote when the votee is such a worthy candidate
I came in planning to vote for Martin since I had followed him all the way. But Maria was too much! She was always there for everyone. Great Maria!
Everyone but her children anyway.
Her son was 24. I think he could make up his own mind.
I am so disappointed in Lent Madness this year. In my mind any mothet who leads her child into certain death is not a saint. In a prior season Augustine, who shaped our beliefs, appeared to have left his son behind because of his beliefs and HE WAS TROUNCED! Martin de Porres is a true saint! He lived his life for God and helped so many children doing so. Maria helped people but lost sight of her children in the process which led to their certain death. In my mind she missed her motherhood role big time.
I confess confusion as to your comments on her mothering. Her son who died with her was certainly old enough to make his own decisions about his life . I'm truly glad you don*T know me and/or my story and experiences because surely you'd find my mothering not up to snuff. After all, one of my kids is a lawyer.
She did NOT lose sight of her children - her son was 24 when he died. And as for leading children to certain death in a concentration camp, when you were arrested by the Gestapo I'm sure you didn't have a choice about whether your children went along or not.
I have a suggestion for the SEC for 2019. No martyrs. Not one!
"Like," except that it's worth pointing out that "martyr" means "witness," and there are many ways of witnessing. According to the Coptic church, there are three types of martyrs: green, white, and red. The red died for their faith; the white were persecuted but not killed (the old "confessors"), and the green fasted and prayed.
Here's a passage from a Coptic website: An ancient homily from Ireland, written around the end of the 7th century, gives a perfect summary of the three types of martyrdom.
Now there are three kinds of martyrdom, which are accounted as a cross to a man, to wit: white martyrdom, green and red martyrdom. White martyrdom consists in a man’s abandoning everything he loves for God’s sake, though he suffer fasting or labor thereat. Green martyrdom consists in this, that by means of fasting and labor he frees himself from his evil desires, or suffers toil in penance and repentance.
pHil's poem works well to the tune of "I sing a song of the saints of God"
With strong connections to Peru, still faithful to Martin! A quote attributed to him might be of interest..Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity.
-- Saint Martin de Porres to his superior after being reprimanded for taking an injured Indian to his room.
Sorry - his quote should have been with quotation marks!
" Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity."
I voted for Martin and Maria in earlier, knowing that somewhere down/up the line a decision between the two. Maybe these are not good reasons, nonetheless I voted for Maria today. She is my Name Saint, a creative, a very brave woman and devoted to the Lord.
Maria, for what Oliver said. And, the Jew on the crucifix. I pray I'd have such courage.
Well, I was overtaken by nostalgia for Paris, the city that good Americans go to when they die (the epigram is associated with Henry James, but it may have been one of his friends who said it first). Not to mention the continuing allure of being able to stand up to the Nazis with the bravery of wit!
Trading bread for thread....
Maria for fighting the Nazis, opening her house to people, and continuing her art in the camp. I liked the street sign.
I forgot to vote yesterday, but I totally would have voted for Martin!!
Good woman!
Oops...things got crazy and I missed voting on this one, but I would have voted for Maria. Amazing that she was still creating art in the midst of the hopelessness of a concentration camp.