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”
Need I say more; there is hope for all of us: "He still occasionally gambled and brawled, as old habits die hard. But he was also committed to a life of love and service...."
There are a series of books published in the late 80s written by Brian Jaques (sp?) called "Redwall"
about a monastic community of mice. I read all the books to my sons (who still remember them). "Redwall" is going to be made into a move and one of the mouse monks IS Matthias. This is why I must cast my vote for Matthias!
Thanks for reminding me of Red Wall and Matthias, that mighty mouse! I read it to my boys too. A savored memory! #teammatthias
Jane Anne, I love the Redwall books! I voted for Mathias before I read your comment but now I am extra pleased with my choice thanks to you.
Oh, and the Opening Ceremonies video was awesome!
My mother's maiden name was Matthias, and I was born in Gary, Indiana. So the signs pointed me to vote for Matthias, although at this point in the day it looks like the other guy will get the nod
Hello, to all my fellow members of the great cloud of witnesses! I have missed you since last Easter.
I'm a hospital chaplain and live in Reno, Nevada. I have to vote for Camillus (ya know, hospitals and gambling).
Thanks for this choice. I only knew Matthias by name and had never heard of Camillus. The Red Cross has done incredible work for ages and my mother was a nurse so I vote for Camillus. Anyone who can overcome the demon of addiction and turn his life around to helping others should be a beacon to all addicts today.
Thank you all for your heart-felt comments
I think it was Aramaic scholar George Lamsa who wrote that 'casting lots' meant 'they voted.'
Perhaps, if Camillus proceeds through the brackets (in which some will place their wagers) he will assist us in Michigan to dissapate the blizzard of ads for online gambling since it has become legal at the beginning of this year.
I had to vote for Camillus--for he was truly human. His story of conversion, relapse and repentance (multiple times) not only inspires me but also makes me think of the people with whom he served. What did they see in him that allowed them to forgive and welcome him back like the Prodigal Son? He must have been a truly remarkable person.
Ach, the Madnesss returns! All votes are for winners, no matter the mate! Shiver me timbers, which way to go? ....but I had a Matthias in me crew once... so
Len Madness has been a go-to "must" for me for lots of years, and I'm glad to be back one more time. I finally decided what I wanted to be when I grew up (at age 55) and returned to college after dropping out in 1962. I completed my BS and MEd while working fulltime and graduated with my degree in counseling at age 62. I moved to Eugene in 2005 and started work as a gambling addictions counselor. It's the hardest addiction of all because, unlike addiction to drugs or alcohol, be there are no physical limitations to stop one from spending nonstop days gambling, until he or she has lost everything. Heartbreaking work. Camillus was a no-brainer for me, being the patron saint of gambling addicts!
It sounds like you've found a rewarding career. Perhaps it means more to you after doing something else for so long. Thanks for the wonderful work you do. We're all broken, hoping someone will help us pick up the pieces. God bless!
Oh my goodness! A brawler, gambler, with an argumentative nature was fine with me, until the Red Cross. I've had a decades long issue with the Red Cross. First, was the head honcho's six figure salary. Then their decision to keep funds dedicated for the families who lost first responders on 9-11. That may have been righted, but who knows? Then there was the awful response to the New Orleans hurricane. A family who lost everything fled to Charlotte to family members just a couple blocks from the Baptist church I was working for. Of a hundred issues I had with the way Red Cross handled that, the one that finished me off was that family waited hours and hours in line for food. They got ONE hotdog. Of course the whole family came for Weds. dinners with the Baptists. AND they kept them in ice. Catholic and Lutheran churches were our neighbors. They wouldn't even let them sleep in their airconditioned foyer. One member of the Baptist church helped those families on her own. Well then, what's his name--Matthias--patron saint of Alcoholics. My retired priest husband has 36 years with the help of AA. I too, give thanks for all the people out there helping victims of Covid-19. It's a huge relief to have you back Lent Madness!
Don't confuse the Camillian red cross with the International Red Cross - which has a very different history and role in the world today.
I am so glad Lent Madness is back. You truly make my Lent lively...learning new things every year about saints i am familiar with and those i’m not. I love the poems, songs, kiddos who tell us why they voted the way they did and all of it. Thank you Tim & Scott!! Y’all rock!! This frozen morning i voted for Matthias...just because!
OK, Neva, now that song is stuck in my head. ("Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, Gary, Indiana, let me say it once again ...")
Let the Lent Madness begin. GO SAINTS!!
First I voted for Camillus 19 the saint for COVID times. Hospitals, nurses, doctors need the patronage & support.
Poor Matthias - most of his namesakes get called Matt & confused w/Matthew.
I didn’t know about his travels & ministry, he was busier than I thought.
After participating in Lent Madness for several years now, I have noticed that more recent saints tend to win more often, seemingly because there is more information available about their lives. For me, the fact that someone's memory has been preserved for thousands of years needs to be taken seriously.
Matthias was one of Jesus's disciples from the beginning of his public ministry, through his public execution, resurrection, and ascension. That must have taken a lot of courage. Matthias must have known Jesus well. Then he took the gospel all the way to Turkey and the Caspian Sea. I'm voting for Matthias.
I chose Camillus because he had the greater turn around.
I was all set to vote for Matthias (Biblical lover that I am) I had never heard of Camillus. Voted for Camillus in honor of all the front-line workers in hospitals during this Covid crisis.
I voted for Camillus not only because of his wonderful story but
also because, well, I LIVE near Camillus, NY!
Three cheers and a tiddley pom! Lent Madness is at last back again. The only thing to be said in favor of the pandemic, with its own brand of madness, is that it took our minds off the lack of daily Lent Madness!!
I had never heard of Camillus (except for the town in central NY, since I grew up nearby!) but I found his story very compelling, and gave him my vote. Bless all those who give aid and solace to the infirm!
In this time of plague, I felt I had to vote for the (a?) patron saint of nurses and doctors. However, while his order may be the first instance of a healing group wearing a red cross, the Red Cross of the international organization was chosen by taking the reverse of the Swiss flag (the organization was formed in Switzerland), a white cross (with equilateral arms) on a red background.
My money is on Camillus. What would he think the odds are on him winning it all? Plus he's Italian.
I just had to vote for Camillus! He made a dramatic change in his life, going from what sounds like a real rascal to a servant of God who helps many!
Had to vote for the patro saint of alcoholics. Prayers sorely needed for many today.
With almost a half of million deaths in the U.S. alone, and with millions sick from COVID 19, the only choice for Saint of the Year has got to be Camillus de Lellis. If the countless number of nurses who work long hours, are isolated from their families when they finally get to go home, who have to re-use PPE or go without adequate protection, and, finally, are often the stand-in family members at a patients bedside as the patient breathes his/her last breath aren't heaven sent, who is? Camillus definitely owns the 2021 Golden Halo.
I had to go with Camillus, as he reminds me of one of my favorite saints - Moses the Black. They both turned from a life of crime, and showed us how to think rightly.
Great candidates to start the Madness! But as I have lived in Wyoming, taught in Powell, have family for three generations in Montana, AND have alcoholism in the family, I had to vote for Matthias—whose awkward place in the apostolic team is impressive.
Camillus, because there really isn't as much information about Matthias.
In L'field, KY we have a St Camillus Urgent Care. It has a picture of Camillus with his red cross on his cassock. I have always wondered but failed to look up his story. Had to vote for the first Red Cross!