Today we dangle the FINAL spot in the Saintly Sixteen in front of two worthy saints, Clare of Assisi and Isidore or Seville. But that's not all that's at stake here. You see, Clare is the patron saint of television while Isidore is the patron saint of the internet. So, when the votes are counted, we'll be able to declare, once and for all, whether TV or the internet is the greatest time waster of them all. (No word yet on whether a patron saint of Netflix has been declared).
Yesterday Elizabeth the New Martyr defeated Gregory of Nazianzus 58% to 42% to advance to the next round where she'll face Hildegard of Bingen. Yes, folks, that means that three, count 'em, three Elizabeths will advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
So read, vote, and then get back to mindlessly either watching TV or scrolling through Facebook.
Clare of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi often is overshadowed by her contemporary, Saint Francis of Assisi arguably the best known of all the saints in the Roman Catholic Church. Clare even referred to herself as “the little plant” of Francis.
But Clare is more than just the first female follower of Francis, more than just his most dedicated disciple. She developed her own interpretation of the Franciscan life, founded the Order of Poor Ladies (known today as Poor Clares), and became the first woman to write a Rule of Life for a monastic order. Not one to back down from her ideals, she reportedly commanded miracles both before and after her death and, perhaps most miraculously, commanded the attention of the poor and powerful, men and women alike.
Chiara, or Clare, Offreduccio was born in 1194 to a noble family of Assisi, a small town in Italy’s scenic Umbrian valley. Official biographies written at the time of her death and canonization describe her as beautiful but they also hint at her strength and holy rebelliousness. At eighteen, she ran away from home to commit herself to Francis’s way of religious life, allowing the friar to cut off her golden curls and consecrate her to the Lord.
Clare became abbess of the monastery at San Damiano. Clare’s relationship with Francis was one of respect and friendship. She influenced, deepened, and supported Francis’s beliefs, including inspiring him to write his famous “Canticle of the Creatures.” She lived for twenty-seven years after Francis died in 1226, continuing to interpret and exemplify to others Francis’s teachings as well as promoting and supporting the growth of her order.
Clare went toe-to-toe with popes to preserve the way of life she wanted for her sisters, which included both the pursuit of radical poverty and their inclusion in the Franciscan order. That wish was granted when, two days before she died, she received a copy of the Rule of Life she had written bearing the papal seal. Within two years, Clare was declared a saint. And seven centuries later, the seeds scattered by “the little plant” of Francis continue to grow, with more than 20,000 Poor Clares in seventy-six countries. Clare is remembered on the feast day of August 11.
Collect for Clare
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we, through his poverty, might become rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, might 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.
Isidore of Seville
Imagine living in a world where institutions of learning were crumbling and the opinions of experts were ignored as people turned instead to the voices of the powerful. Such was the time of Isidore of Seville (560-636 ce). Born in Spain, Isidore grew up on the edge of the Roman Empire, on the Iberian Peninsula. He was educated at the Cathedral School of Seville, the only institution of its sort in the area.
Isidore worked alongside his brother Leander in teaching about and converting the Visigoths, who had adopted an Arian form of Christianity, to the Roman form of Christianity. Isidore succeeded him as the bishop of Seville. He immediately set to two tasks: preserving the monasteries, which functioned as repositories of wisdom and strengthening education throughout the region.
As bishop, Isidore was able to hold together the two peoples of the Iberian Peninsula: the Visigoths and the Romans. And his work in providing educational opportunities undoubtedly had a huge impact. Yet neither of these are why Isidore is remembered.
Late in his life, Isidore undertook the work of writing a book—but not just any book. Etymologiae (Etymologies) was intended to be a compendium of all human knowledge. In Etymologies Isidore summarized some of the most essential knowledge and wisdoms of those who came before him. This was the first work of this sort, an encyclopedia to gather together what had come before. By certain measures, Etymologies was a resounding success. The work of countless classical authors is known to us only from Isidore’s summaries. (Imagine if someone had written a Cliff Notes version of all the works lost in the Alexandrian Library!). His encyclopedia was used as a textbook in Europe for around nine hundred years!
For this herculean work of preserving and passing on knowledge, Isidore was only the twelfth person to be declared a Doctor of the Church. In 1997, Pope John Paul II suggested that Isidore and his quest to collect knowledge would be a natural fit as the patron saint of the internet. As the “last scholar of the ancient world” and the “schoolmaster of the middle ages,” Isidore provides a bridge carrying wisdom forward from the ancient world into ours.
Collect for Isidore
O God, by your Holy Spirit you give to some the word of wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the word of faith: We praise your Name for the gifts of grace manifested in your servant Isidore, and we pray that your Church may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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178 comments on “Clare of Assisi vs. Isidore of Seville”
Dave Hansen's first sentence about Isadore is delightful, and of course, since like so many people I'm working from home, I SHOULD be trying to get in good with the patron saint of the internet. However, I go to St. Clare's and Francis and Clare are two of my favorite saints, so I still voted for her.
Someone shared a reflection in the comments recently about social isolation as a spiritual practice for Lent, I think in past couple days. I cant find it, does anyone else recall this? Thanx
P.s Go Isidore for the preservation of knowledge!
Monday (Joanna vs Junia), 3:43 PM -- Look for the icon of red rock and blue sky!
So why is Clare of Assisi the patron saint of TV? Did I miss something?
I'll reveal all if Clare makes it to the next round! It involves remote viewing.
I first thought, "Clare, obvious!" She was sweet and devoted and her works still live. But like all you other commenters, I spent delighted hours reading our World Book encyclopedia (S was my favorite volume, I recall). And now, working from home, I thank the generous Lord for the Internet and the chance to discover practically all human wisdom if you search hard enough. (Also human idiocy, but all you have to do is close the window.) Isidore was anti-Semitic like everyone else in his time, but I wonder how much Jewish scholarship found its way into his encyclopedia.
Oh no! Choose between the founder of the Poor Clares, who was friends with St. Francis of Assissi, and the man who compiled the first prototype of the encyclopedia!? This is a fiendishly difficult saintly conundrum.
As a lifelong reader and a lover of ancient knowledge and history (I’m STILL mad about the Library of Alexandria), I’ll probably go with Isadore. But I’ma chew on it for a while.
"Why can't we all get along?"
asked Jesus, never. I want to comment about the issue of referring to politics on the Lent Madness threads. I am very mindful of Tim's and Scott's exhortation on Saturday to be careful with one another because right now we are all carrying extra burdens of fragility. I believe we all have heavy hearts about the precarious condition of "our" democracy, in addition of course to fears about coronavirus. My rector has on her desk a Bible verse: "Jesus went and hid." I totally get it. Nevertheless if we take the witness of these saints seriously, and LM is a real (virtual) pilgrimage during Lent and not simply trivial escapism to while away the hours while we are in quarantine, then I believe filtering our conflicting thoughts and beliefs about current politics through the examples of the saints is appropriate, and indeed necessary. If they are alive and with us, then they can handle our lively torment over all manner of political discussion. I concur with Richard the Chalice Bearer that cruelty is absolutely forbidden, also any efforts merely to stir up trouble (SEC 1: Troll 0.) If anyone is concerned that strong emotions might not be very "Christ-like," then I refer you to Matthew 21:12-13 and John 2:13-16; you can judge for yourselves whether you think Jesus ever experienced "anger." As for me, I keep in mind, always, the injunction in Mark 9:42 before I post. This little band of pilgrims is precious to me. Peace to you all. May you remain safe and well and arrive at Canterbury strengthened, enlightened, and refreshed.
Oh thank you sweetheart, that is so wisely and perfectly expressed! And I always hold on to Luke 12:32: "Do not live in fear, little flock."
Thank you, St. Cecile, for your words of wisdom. I was upset & distressed over the Covid-45 remarks yesterday. We have enough on our plates right now & we don't need comments like this. This is Lent Madness & comments should be about the daily saints.
At first I thought Clare, in solidarity with Italy. But then I read the celebrity blogger's write-up of Isidore. For a second I was tempted to dismiss Isidore, thinking that his work in education would have benefitted only men. Then I saw the part about him compiling summaries of "all knowledge" of his time, which makes him the appropriate patron saint of the Internet. I'm a big user of the Internet, even in ordinary times, and especially in coronavirus time. And I can see how the preservation of knowledge for future generations indirectly benefitted women as well as men. Isidore gets my vote today.
I forgot to add -- We need a patron saint of the Internet right now, because I have read that some experts are concerned that it may break down, with so many people working and studying and streaming things from home. There may not be enough bandwidth. So pray for our connections to endure.
I love it that Clare was a rebel for God. I love it that she didn't settle for adopting the radical (yet truly authentically Christian) views of St. Francis, but took it further and influenced St. Francis' views. I knew a very saintly Poor Clare when I lived in New Mexico. Also, anyone who could inspire St. Francis to write his "Canticle of the Creatures" gets my vote.
Well - this was a tough choice. In the end I voted for Clare because of my fond memories of a Zefferilli film about St. Francis and her that came out in 1972 called "Brother Sun, Sister Moon". I even remember there was a song of the same title in the film.
"Imagine living in a world where institutions of learning were crumbling and the opinions of experts were ignored as people turned instead to the voices of the powerful." THAT nearly describes the last 2 months of the United States' ability to react to the pandemic that's upon us. The 2nd half clearly describes the willingness of countless people in our society to deal with the new virus, at least until this week.
When the Dark Ages destroyed practically all of pre-Christian, Classical knowledge, it's marvelous that Isidore, a devout churchman, preserved an assortment of valuable, ancient learning from outside of Christianity. What made the Dark Ages so dark was the deliberate running away from and hoping to eliminate forever the centuries-old knowledge and wisdom from outside The Church.
Usually, the longer ago the saints were, the more their lives are now seen through legends that might be pure fiction. Because of his written contributions, we know remarkably much of Isidore's priceless contribution to the accumulation of learning. None of this in any way criticizes hard-working Clare of Assisi.
I wrote a comment yesterday and was told when I submitted it that it was a duplicate but it was not published. I was offended that in these perilous times that some commentators chose to be political. I think it is important that everyone know the steps our government has taken to reduce the negative economic consequences. Small businesses, 70% of our economy, can get loans to help them through the crisis. They can deduct from their taxes money to pay both full time and part time employees. Children who are receiving school breakfasts and lunches will continue to get them. I hope we, as Christians, will pray for our leaders as they try to mitigate the consequences of plague.
It’s clear—it’s Clare.
https://tinyurl.com/EducCartoon
A cartoon about the importance of education
"Imagine living in a world where institutions of learning were crumbling and the opinions of experts were ignored as people turned instead to the voices of the powerful." Imagine! This has to be the best intro to a Lent Madness entry ever. I would have thought it impossible to vote against Clare, but in this strange new world I have to vote for preserving knowledge. (and for the internet)
Were I St. Isidore, who had laboured mightily to preserve knowledge, I would be thoroughly ticked off by being named patron saint of the internet, the greatest tool ever devised to promote the spread of ignorance! That said, much as I respect Isidore for his accomplishments, my heart overrules my head today, and my vote goes to St. Clare, who has stood too long in the shadow of her friend Francis.
Here is what Wikipedia says about that "patron saint of TV" thing, re Clare of Assissi: "Pope Pius XII designated Clare 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."
Wow! I voted for Clare, not for the TV thing, but we feel a personal connection to her having visited Assisi and the cathedral dedicated to her. Isidore's contribution was indeed tremendous, but our memories of our Italian journey won out!
As an educator I had to vote for my Bro!!!!
Pray for us, St. Isidore, in these days and in the hours of our cyber-liturgies, our Zoom gatherings, our quest for music and learning and news and entertainment, our need to keep in touch with one another. In this time of physical social distancing, keep us, we pray, connected and in communion with one another and with our one and holy God, to whom with you we pray, Developer, Interfacer, and Holy Connecter through wire and all space. AMEN.
Lisa, this is beautiful and true, as all good prayers are.
Thank you!
IBPS (Idaho Bishop Prognostication Service) predicts that Claire of Assisi will enter the Saintly 16 today with a win over Isidore of Seville. With this victory, Brian Thom, CEO (Chief Ecclesiastical Officer) of IBPS will be 12 for 16 in the first round of the 2020 Lent Madness competition. While his Monastics & Martyrs bracket was busted early by Brother Lawrence’s upset victory over St. Patrick, CEO Thom remains confident that Joseph (father-figure of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST) will continue his humble, yet triumphant, walk all the way to The Golden Halo.
One of the sheep in the flock of IBPS CEO Thom (that would be me) will only be 6 for 16 should (as seems likely) Clare advance.
I vote for St. Isidore because my husband taught Spanish and on his first trip to South America, some people thought he was from Spain although he was actually born and raised in Ohio.
I thought I was going to vote for Clare but the write-up for Isadore won me over.
Isadore today gets our vote. In this period of coronavirus I’m thankful for the technology that keeps us communicating, in LM, seeing friends and family through FaceTime, and smart TVs that provide vital information, comforting music when we need a break from the crisis, and entertainment when we can get it. I loved our World Book Encyclopedias too! And I’m thankful for the ways our public libraries are virtual in many ways right now. Go Isidore!
Some time back, I heard an anecdote about Clare and Francis. (It’s possible I heard it via Richard Rohr, but I can’t remember.). So I can’t verify this, but it fits what I know about both folks.
When Francis was first determining how he would go forth, he wondered if he should be an activist in the world, or a contemplative. Clare spent time in prayer, then returned to Francis and said simply, “Yes.”
We need to be activists, in general and right now (call your neighbors, check on the lonely). And we need to be contemplatives, to be sure our actions are rooted in God. I’m voting for Clare.
Peace, friends. And keep the faith.
I hadn't heard this story! Thank you for this.
Yes, thanks, Kate. It is my opinion that contemplatives tend to become activists; I'm not sure that it works the other way, as well.
What an undertaking St Isadore took on and in the days before the creature comforts we have today. Too dark to read? Turn on the light. Too cold/hot turn up the heat or on the fan or a/c. Microwave a meal. All this compilation of knowledge without the internet. I will have to research him further on the internet of course. Just found out he is sometimes depicted with bees as symbol of industriousness, community and cooperation.
A setting of St. Francis' best-known Prayer, beginning with "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace", was sung at my college graduation and at my ordination as Deacon. (In 1980, United Methodist clergy had two ordinations: the first as Deacon and the second, more permanent, as Elder. I can't even begin to make this clear, even to another Methodist.). This prayer, which has been a succinct guide through most of my life, and other exposures to St. Francis' life and work, led me to great respect and love for this saint and his companions, including St. Clare. As much as I value encyclopedic learning, even at my advanced age, I just have to vote for her.
Actually, I voted for the Internet. Where would we be without it in these times? I didn't know about Isidore's antisemitism, which I deplore. Nevertheless, the Internet is enabling us to stay connected in these days of social distancing. Thanks be to God.
"Homoousion"
I consulted Mister Death for a trinitarian cocktail appropriate to the Nicene Creed. Mister Death never fails. This is called "One, one, one."
(Sorry, Gregory of Ravenna. Mister Death doesn't like you; this drink uses gin. It's basically a variant of a martini. However, I have a treat for you later.)
1 oz. Krogstad aquavit
1 oz. Beefeater London dry gin
1 oz. Dolin blanc vermouth
1 dash Regan's orange bitters
Stir all ingredients over ice, strain into a coupe glass. No garnish. A toast to the saints.
I knew you’d come through for us! “Krogstad aquavit”??? Gotta look that one up—on the Internet, of course.
Well said (as usual) St. C.
The good news is, even without looking at anything (as is my wont) I knew Clare would win. So we’ll both get to vote for her in the next round (against E. Fry? Hmmm...).
Time to head to the liquor store, my cabinet is woefully lacking in these ingredients for a Homoousion!
Lucky you if you live where the liquor stores are open. Here in Pennsylvania, our "Fine Wines and Good Spirits" stores, previously known simply as state liquor stores, closed indefinitely as of yesterday. It was quite a sight as people stocked up.
No worries St. C. - we’re very ecumenical here at The Stacks (our Mandatory Retreat Center). Last night’s preprandial libation included gin - and Irish whiskey, of course!
The Massey
1 ounce Irish whiskey (Tullamore Dew)
1 ounce gin (Bombay Sapphire)
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula)
1/4 ounce Green Chartreuse
1/8 ounce Campari (I use Gran Classico; no fake color in my cocktails!)
Garnish: orange twist
I’m down for anything with Chartreuse in it - and it is a green liqueur...
I don’t have Mr. Death’s book - I use the Green Book (aka Meehan's Bartender Manual).
Slanté!
You had me at chartreuse!
While my childhood love for the Childcraft Encyclopedias the originally belonged to my father and his brother I inherited from my grandparents makes me lean towards Isadore, in this time of worshiping together remotely Clare;s story of how she became patron of TV seems particularly appropriate, so voting for her
And because we are bidden to offer non-alcoholic beverages, served equally attractively, here is a non-alcoholic drink called "Cardinal Punch." Apparently "Parish Priest Punch" was not posh enough.
2 oz. cranberry juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. orange juice
2 oz. ginger ale
Garnish: lemon and orange slices
Serve in a collins glass over ice. A toast to the saints.
It would be posh enough for the parish priest. You just have to omit the cranberry juice.