Welcome to the opening matchup of Lent Madness 2021! We kick things off with what we're calling the Gambler's Gambit, a matchup between Camillus de Lellis and Matthias. Of course, there's much more to these two than the fact that one is a reformed gambler and the other was chosen by lot (gambling!). But that's what our amazing Celebrity Bloggers are here for -- to bring to life the varied aspects of our saintly lineup over the coming weeks.
If you’re a veteran of the Saintly Smackdown, we’re delighted you’re back for another year of saintly thrills and spills. If you’re joining us for the first time, we’re especially glad you’re along for this wild penitential ride. If you’re curious about what this all entails, check out the About Lent Madness tab on the website. We assure you this is the safest, most socially-distanced Lenten devotion out there.
To experience the fullness of the Lent Madness experience, the Supreme Executive Committee (the somewhat benevolent dictatorship that runs this whole enterprise) encourages you to do several things. First, "like" Lent Madness on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter. Second, subscribe to the Lent Madness e-mails so you never miss a vote — you’ll get each matchup hand-delivered to your inbox on the weekdays of Lent. You can do this by going to the home page of our website and entering your e-mail address (near the top right). Third, you can support the ministry of Lent Madness by heading over to the Lentorium and purchasing Lent Madness swag, thereby impressing everyone in your virtual pew.
But mostly, we encourage you to read about the 32 saints participating in this year’s edition of Lent Madness, faithfully cast your (single!) vote on the weekdays of Lent, and add your comments to the great cloud of participating witnesses that gathers as the online Lent Madness community each year. If you’re wondering when your favorite saint will be competing – in order to rally your friends and neighbors (creative campaigning is encouraged, voter fraud is not) – you can check out the 2021 Matchup Calendar.
But enough blathering. It's time to cast your very first vote of Lent Madness 2021!
Camillus de Lellis
Camillus began his life as anything but a saint. Born in 1550 in Italy, he was the son of a soldier who himself became a soldier of fortune. He had a well-deserved reputation for being a scoundrel, a gambler, and all-around trouble-maker. He suffered from a leg wound, but when he went to a hospital, Camillus was ousted because of his argumentative nature.
Ultimately, his leg wound brought his soldiering to an end, so he took up gambling. Destitute and desperate for food and a place to sleep, Camillus begged employ at a Capuchin friary in Manfredonia, Italy. After time with the order, he had a religious conversion. He applied to become a Franciscan three times but was denied because of his incurable wound and a lack of education.
The leg wound continued to plague Camillus, so he went back to the same hospital for treatment, working in exchange for a place to live. He eventually became the hospital’s superintendent while growing in his faith through spiritual direction, confession, and prayer. He still occasionally gambled and brawled, as old habits die hard. But he was also committed to a life of love and service and was ordained to the priesthood in 1584.
Inspired by his time at the hospital, Camillus gathered a group of lay and ordained men to tend to the needs of the poor and destitute who were sick, wounded, suffering, and dying. He called this group Servants of the Sick. In 1591, Pope Gregory XIV changed the name to Order of Clerks Regular, Ministers of the Infirm. This new religious order wore black cassocks and capes with a red cross over the chest—the original red cross insignia.
Camillus organized his order to help wherever needed: private homes, jails, streets, and battlefields. In 1601 during a battle, the Camillans’ hospital tent and all their supplies were burned to the ground except the red cross of one member’s religious habit—surely, they thought, a sign of divine approval for their work to help the sick and dying.
Camillus was canonized in 1746 and is a patron saint for hospitals, those who are sick, nurses, and doctors. He also offers divine assistance for those struggling with a gambling addiction. This order takes traditional vows, as well as a vow of unfailing service to the sick, even at risk to their own lives.
Collect for Camillus de Lellis
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy, for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthias
“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” With that action, as detailed in Acts 1:26, Matthias joined the other Apostles, replacing the betrayer Judas Iscariot.
Other than the fact he was born in Judea, Matthias’s early life is lost to history and not much is known about him. However, according to tradition, he had been one of Jesus’ seventy disciples at the baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. In fact, the witnessing of Jesus’ baptism was a key element in Matthias’s nomination to replace Judas. The other requirement was being present at the Ascension.
After the betrayal by Judas, the remaining apostles believed it was critical to keep their number at twelve, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Two disciples met the standards for nomination; they cast lots, and Matthias was chosen. While Matthias’s selection occurred after the ascension of Jesus, it was before the Day of Pentecost. Therefore, Matthias was with the group in the Upper Room at the descent of the Holy Spirit. As with the other apostles, his ministry blossomed following the miracle of Pentecost.
From Jerusalem, Matthias traveled far to spread the word of Jesus. Historians say his ministry focused near Cappadocia in modern-day Turkey and the area around the Caspian Sea. Some reports indicate he made his way to today’s country of Georgia.
He died in 80 ce, but the particulars of his death vary greatly. Some report he was stoned to death and then beheaded in Jerusalem, while other accounts have him dying near Sebastopolis, now in Turkey, and still another stated he died of old age. As for his remains, some are interred in the Abbey of Santa Giustina, in Padua, Italy, thanks to Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, who had them transported there. Other relics are located in the Abbey of St. Matthias, in Trier, Germany.
He is the patron saint of alcoholics; tailors; Gary, Indiana; and Montana. He is prayed to for hope and perseverance and in instances of smallpox. He is often portrayed holding an ax, widely believed to be the instrument of his death. His feast day is February 24.
Collect for Matthias
Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be guided and governed by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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237 comments on “Camillus de Lellis vs. Matthias”
The imperfect Camillus, who battled his imperfections but ultimately strived to follow in the healing steps of Jesus, attracted me, and the opening limerick sealed the deal.
St. Camillus Health Center in Whitinsville MA was founded by the Order of St. Camillus. Fr. Jack was on staff for many years. He was a caring priest and friend to all. St. Camillus gets my vote.
Praise God for Lent Madness. Voting for saints is a win- win. Good always wins in this context. I love the way we can see the lives of saints in today’s experiences .
Both were wonderful men serving to help others It was a tough choice. After a year of Covid I have to go with the one that helped the sick. I honor of all the nurses , doctors, care givers, scientist, politicians and kind soul that have helped the world get through these trying times I go with Camillus. I have to wonder was the beautiful Camilla named for him?
With Biblical saints, it seems like having a spot in the Biblical real estate is a crowning reward, and I’m looking for the lesser known saints. That said, today’s write-up helped me appreciate Matthias anew.
Camillus is a great come back kid story and them are my favorite kinds! At. Camillus is the perfect choice for our opening round of Lent Madness.
Let us alcoholics unite
Matthias is the one that,s right!
I am voting for Camillus in honor of health care workers and Sister Mary de Lellis, one of my childhood teachers. Sister deLellis made every child in an over-crowded school feel special and loved.
In the midst of a pandemic and weather disasters, how could the choice not be Camillus in honor of those who face danger and exhaustion every day in our hospitals and other health-care settings? Also, as a United Methodist, I appreciate the reformed-gambler aspect!
As a recovered alcoholic I have to vote for Matthias.
Good for you for sticking with recovery!
I gotta go with Matthias. It seemed to me that "Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus" what the favored of the two. So, surprise!, the lot fell on Matthias.
I struggled with which saint to choose. After reading other people’s thoughts helped me make the choice. I think both men would be a great choice. Because of the pandemic and the hardworking healthcare workers I am going to vote for Camillus
I grew up in Gary, Indiana, and this is the first that I heard of his being the patron saint! I also voted for him since he we selected to fill the place left by Judas.
I like the lifestyle that Matthias did and knowing people who are alcoholics
To step forward into the intimate unity of the 12 surely was marked by God’s hand. A quiet calling into a monumental risk and calling, and he said YES! I vote for Mathias.
Superheroes wear capes, so this was a no-brainer for me. Camilla ... the Superman Saint!
Yes, and in honor of today's superheroes wearing scrubs, smocks, and coveralls!
Love that Lent Madness is back to teach me about these wonderful Saints. Had to go with Camillus, he's this old nurses' patron saint.
I was touched by the first Red Cross. Also, might be just me, but I read the comments after I vote!
I do too, but sometimes I regret it.
I used to read the comments after voting, but found that sometimes a comment would help me to see things differently, and regret my vote. So now I read the comments before voting.
Having been a nurse married to a doctor, I was compelled to vote for Camillus. God bless all those hardworking, dedicated people who are caring for the sick and dying.
Camillus, I think, today. Poor Matthias seems always to get nothing but neglect, but in time of pandemic, it’s impossible not to vote for the founding of the Red Cross. And recovering from gambling and general mayhem doesn’t hurt either! So good to “see” you all again for another Lenten season!
My first Episcopal church was St. Matthias. I had to vote for him! It's not a common church name and I searched the Anglican Community for the other St. Matthias churches one time. I made the list into a PortaPortal, but I don't know if it is still online.
Betsy,
There’s one in Barbados - I was confirmed there. (But I voted for Camillus.)
While filling in my bracket, I was thinking of Prince Charles' lovely bride, Camilla, and decided I must vote for Matthias.
So happy that my Lenten discipline is back! I always learn so much during the smackdown. I voted for Camillus because of the radical change in his life brought about by his conversion.
Both are worthy of my vote, difficult choice, but todays comments have persuaded me that Camillus de Lellis should move up in the brackets. Dedicating his life to care of the sick, Camillus insisted on cleanliness and the technical competence of those who also served. My vote also honors all those who follow his example by providing us healing care.
How can you not vote for someone who had to show real commitment to serving? And to overcome gambling and rabble rousing, I chose Camillus. Wait, now I feel guilty... should I have voted for Matthias, who served when asked?!? I am really grateful for Lent Madness!
My doctor daughter worked in an ICU during the first part of the pandemic and didn't get sick, which I attribute to divine intervention. Praise God! I vote for Camillis.
"He still occasionally gambled and brawled." Aint that the story of our lives? I see that a year of covid has worn us all to the bone, because LM is commencing with TWO saints for alcoholics this year! While the Red Cross is important, Florence Nightingale has already won the Golden Halo, and I am partial to the nearly nameless and unknown servants who simply pick up the cross when called upon and continue service to an unseen god. I cast my lot for Matthias this morning and greet all you saints, some known to me some new to me. It looks as if LM will get us through a second spring of covid. Good health and a holy Lent to you all.
Same to you, St. Celia. I also voted for Matthias. Partially because he was an apostle and I had actually heard of him. I should learn a lot this Lent going through this group of saints. I'm not sure why Matthias is a patron saint of alcoholics, but I have a couple of very good friends whose lives were saved by AA, so that's a plus, too. Nice to see so many familiar names of commenters today. I look forward to some deep dives in theology as Lent progresses.
I'm so happy to see you and St. Celia again this year. Your perspectives are always helpful to me, plus, I like the angle of Richard's halo.
Richard is jaunty!
I'm a sucker for the redemption story of a rogue and a scoundrel, so Camillus gets my vote.
I live for poetic pleas to choose,
While still caring who will win or lose!
It was a close call, but I voted for Camillus, mainly for his work to take care of "the poor and destitute who were sick, wounded, suffering, and dying," but a little bit because in his "head shot" he's really cute.
A vote for Camillis along with a prayer of gratitude and support for all personal care givers and front-line support workers who offer their services at great cost and considerable risk to aid us through this current COVID pandemic.
So good to be back into Lent Madness on this (closing, please God) bracket of a seemingly endless Lent! Today, my vote goes to Camillus, and my gratitude to all the saints on the front lines of healthcare, now and throughout history.