The end (of Lent Madness 2021) is near! It's hard to believe we kicked things off over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday” with 32 saintly souls. With your help, the field has been whittled down to just two: Benedict the Moor and Absalom Jones. Who will receive the coveted 2021 Golden Halo? That, friends, is up to you.
This excellent video comes from the Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend, Indiana, makers of the awesome opening video for this year's Lent Madness.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable holy people along the way. Perhaps you learned about some folks you’d never heard of before (lots of those this year!) or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.
In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we’ve all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned some things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and hopefully had some fun along the way.
Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our amazing Celebrity Bloggers to whom we offer sincere gratitude: Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, Anna Fitch Courie, David Creech, Miguel Escobar, Neva Rae Fox, David Hansen, Miriam McKenney, Carol Howard Merritt, Emily McFarlan Miller, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his stellar behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily. You all rock!
Thank you to Richelle Thompson and everyone at Forward Movement for putting up with our shenanigans and producing a terrific Saintly Scorecard this year. Special gratitude goes to Alyssa Finke for helping get words and images into the website each day.
Harriet Tubman prepares to pass off the Golden Halo to this year's winner.
Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling in brackets, talking about saints with friends, liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
Before we invite you to cast this final vote, we should note that David Hansen has ably shepherded Benedict the Moor through the bracket, while Miriam McKenney has done the same for Absalom Jones. We’ve asked them for a single image and one quote either by or about their saint. We’ve already heard a lot about Benedict and Absalom — click the Bracket tab and scroll down to view their previous match-ups if you want to refresh your memory. And then, it’s time to make your choice.
The polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced at 8:00 am Eastern time on Maundy Thursday. Now go cast your vote — the 2021 Lent Madness Golden Halo hangs in the balance!
Benedict the Moor
"I am a miserable sinner, and full of pride; pray God to make me humble."
-- Benedict of Palermo (aka the Moor)
Absalom Jones
"Let the first of January, the day of the abolition of the slave trade in our country, be set apart in every year, as a day of publick thanksgiving for that mercy. Let the history of the sufferings of our brethren, and of their deliverance, descend by this means to our children, to the remotest generations; and when they shall ask, in time to come, saying, What mean the lessons, the psalms, the prayers and the praises in the worship of this day? let us answer them, by saying, the Lord, on the day of which this is the anniversary, abolished the trade which dragged your fathers from their native country, and sold them as bondmen in the United States of America."
— Absalom Jones, January 1, 1808 sermon celebrating the end of the slave trade
[poll id="331"]
119 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Benedict the Moor vs. Absalom Jones”
William Faulkner casts two votes. If you haven't read "Absalom! Absalom!" you should. As Lent Madness is doing with a final Black-on-Black competition, Faulkner was trying to do with his craft: extirpating, excising, and exorcising the demons of slavery and racial inequality. The efforts are puny, of course, but worthwhile.
As a resident of Philadelphia, I have to vote for Absalom Jones. St Peter's Episcopal Church, where so many slave-owning Founding Fathers worshiped, is only a few blocks from Mother Bethel Church, founded by Absalom Jones and Rev. Richard Allen. I worship at St Peter's but often walk past Mother Bethel, and think about the amazing and inspired effort it took to establish Mother Bethel, a foundation of the Black Church in America.
Had to deeply reflect before voting. Thank you for this practice.
During this time of overcoming so many things I voted for Absolom's "Overcomer" message. Together we rise, vanquish wrongs and are deeply thankful for the overcoming of this present moment which is unacceptable in so many ways. May it soom become a past we are grateful to have overcome, prayers for a better tomorrow.
Benedict's example as a beacom of humility and persistence touched me deeply also. I could see him being the guy holding space and prayer or at everyone at the hospital and at immigration and deportation sites.
Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable and educational Lent Madness 2021. God Bless all of you with a Holy Easter Season and a Happy Healthy New Church Year
Thank you to the whole Lent Madness crew - a little blue that I have to wait another whole year for the next one! :D. All the best to all the rest of you this Holy Week, and may a joyful Easter be yours!
Lent Madness inspires, uplifts, and educates us all! I join this great cloud of witnesses with many thanks and prayers for the gift of Tim, Scott, and the amazing bloggers. Holy Week blessings and Easter joy!
I haven't participated in Lent Madness every year since first learning of it, and I didn't remember to vote each day this year, though I typically read the canidate bios for the days I missed. I appreciate the insights Tim, Scott, the bloggers, and other participants provided, not just about the saintly contenders, but also the relevance of their journeys for us today.
Lent Madness makes me wish Lent were longer!
Ahoy mateys! Me and my hale crew are fixin to weigh anchor, hoist sail and chart our next course. It has been a wonderful shore leave, and we thank all the hands that weave this magic Madness. Lots of big words used, lots of new things to learn - it will keep us til next we meet again! Clear sailing be your lot and may the Creator hold you close to the wind! Peace be with you!
Thank you SEC and bloggers for another interesting and fun Lent Madness. Learned about some new saints and I always enjoy the comments. May you all have a blessed Holy Week and a glorious Easter!
Many thanks to all who make Lent Madness what it is. This is my first season and it has been truly enlightening. I have enjoyed having it as a part of my Lenten devotion. Learning about the lives of all this year's saints has been very impactful. I am appreciative. Easter blessings to all.
I feel so blessed that my 23-year-old son has joined me in this Lenten devotion from his first real-world job and apartment in a new city. It's been a great way to bond across the miles during this still-scary time in our history. Thank you all!
Thank you for another exceptional Season of Saints. It is hard to create something that is interesting, fun and informative at the same time. You two have succeeded admirably.
I thought Absolom Jones had won his halo! Oh well! Enjoy yr Easter wherever y'all may be!!!!!!!
I voted for Benedict because I need humility but I respect the work of Absalom in helping make our country a just and inclusive society that lives up to our ideals. With deep thanks to the SEC, the Celebrity Bloggers and to all the staff in folks who make the Madness possible. And thanks to everyone who commented this year and provided additional insights and perspectives. Wishing you all a blessed Triduum and a glorious Easter. See you next year!
Always enduring. Through the grace of God and
Because of our work
Slavery ended.
And yet the work of
Liberation continues. Life
Ongoing
Miracles abounding.
(Friends and Members of St. Mark's ABQ in honor of Absalom Jones and with prayers for George Floyd and family)
The Madness is one of the things that gets me through my least favorite time of year, post-Christmas, end of winter blah. This has been an interesting Madness, with a lot of saints I was unfamiliar with. Will miss reading everyone's comments, which often make me see my choices in different ways. Everyone have a blessed Easter and a good rest of 2021. As so many have said, I just had to go with Absalom today in view of the ongoing fight for racial justice.
I've enjoyed Lent Madness for several years, but I have especially appreciated it during these last two years. The write-ups are interesting, but I especially enjoy the comments every day. Thank you to everyone who makes comments, either deeply spiritual or casually light-hearted. I am sad to see this year's Madness end, and certainly hope it will continue next year!
What a journey we've all walked together this year. It's been a real blessing to read about and reflect on our saintly contestants and to read the comments and feel how many hands are clasped together in prayer and witness as we strive to follow Jesus. I voted for Absalom because we still need his leadership. Monday morning my husband and I watched part of the opening of Derek Chauvin's trial, including the last nine minutes of George Floyd's life. Help us to change, Lord Jesus. Help us heal those we've hurt, heal ourselves, and heal our land.
Thank you so much, Gaen, for all your comments. Yes, may this nation and this land have healing (which entails looking at the past, taking responsibility, and enacting reparations where possible and where appropriate).