Live from the St Augustine’s Lobby at Forward Movement headquarters, the bells are ringing, the crowd has gathered, and the purple cloaked conclave is over! Fr. Michael and Fr. Christian have emerged with the blessing of the Supreme Executive Committee, and that can only mean one thing...
Welcome to Nominationtide!
Before we can pit saint against saint in the madness, we need you, yes, you in the pew, the pulpit, or just procrastinating at your desk, to help us decide who will enter the 2026 Lent Madness bracket! For one glorious week, you get to nominate a saint you believe is fit for a chance to win the coveted Golden Halo. Will it be a desert-dwelling hermit? A hymn-writing bishop? A martyred monastic with a flair for hospitality and a killer bread recipe? Only you can decide!
The Supreme Executive Committee (SEC), long may they reign in purple glory, has entrusted the 2026 bracket to the dynamic duo of Fr. Michael and Fr. Christian. They're keeping the tradition fun, holy, and wholly Lent Madness.
It’s a new day, but the same joyous madness. Through laughter, bracketology, and some surprisingly intense saintly showdowns, we continue growing in the knowledge and witness of the saints, and through them, in the love of Christ!
To ensure your SUCCESSFUL nomination, please consult the sacred Nominationtide Rules & Regulations, which are lovingly inscribed on a weathered scroll, sealed with a kiss, and currently secured in a waterproof tube beneath the Forward Movement koi pond.
The nominee must, in fact, be dead.
As you discern which saint to nominate, please keep in mind that a number of saints are ineligible for next year’s Saintly Smackdown. Based on longstanding tradition, this includes the entire field of Lent Madness 2025, those saints who made it to the Round of the Elate Eight in 2024 and 2023, and those from the 2022 Faithful Four.
Below is a comprehensive list of ineligible saints. Please keep this in mind as you submit your nominations. Do not waste your precious nomination on an ineligible saint! (it happens more than you'd think).
Time to nominate your favorite saint! But first, look over this list.
The Saints of Lent Madness 2025 (ineligible)
Dunstan
Elizabeth of Hungary
Emily Cooper
Felicity
Francis Xavier
Gregory the Great
Hiram Kano
Hugh of Lincoln
Irenaeus of Lyons
James the Just
Katharina Zell
Lucy of Syracuse
Lucy Yi Zhenmei
Mechthild of Magdeburg
Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
Ninian
Onesimus
Philip (Deacon and Evangelist)
Quiteria
Richard Meux Benson
Rose of Lima
Sundar Singh
Theodore of Tarsus
Ursula
Verena of Zurzach
Wenceslaus
Yvette of Huy
Zechariah
Zenaida
Zita of Tuscany
Agatha Lin Zhao
Athanasius of Alexandria
2024 & 2023 Elate Eight (ineligible)
Albert Schweitzer, Cornelius the Centurion, Henry Whipple, Canaire, Joseph of Arimathea, Julian of Norwich, Ambrose of Milan, Andrew the Fisherman, Bertha of Kent, Chief Seattle, Jonathan Daniels, Florence Li Tim-Oi, Joana tbe Myrrhbearer, Blandina, Marin De Porres, JS Bach
2022 Faithful Four (ineligible)
Teresa of Avila, Madeleine Barat, Thomas of Villanova
98 comments on “Happy Nominationtide!”
I nominate our Millennial saint(-to-be), Bl. Carlos Acutis, as a candidate for the Golden Halo. Like Timothy, his youth did not stand as an obstacle to his faith in Jesus.
St. Margaret of Scotland: November 16
She was queen of Scotland and is known for her piety and charitable works.
She married and "Christianized" King Malcolm III and her children.
Most importantly, she was known for her influence on her husband and her role in reforming the Church in Scotland.
She is a patron saint of Scotland, who was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1250.
Known for her work with the poor, the orphaned, the widowed, and the sick,
she founded schools and hospitals and spent time each day listening to the needs of her people.
From my perspective, as a "home administrator" until my 50s (a homemaker), who did not follow my own strong call to ministry, but rather moved her family (one daughter, one son) nine times, to support her husband's work as a journalist; who because in part of my willingness to "keep the home fires burning," he became a nationally recognized and highly respected newspaper editor, for his allegiance to accuracy, factual truth, and fairness, dedicated to giving voice to the voiceless, winning two Gold Medal Pulitzer Prizes for Public Service; she was engaged at a deep level in myriad ways in all parishes which we attended, and who by her example, brought to faith her children and husband, now faithful Episcopalians. With children reared, she earned a Master of Arts in Religion from the Seminary of the Southwest, and in 2017 was licensed as a lay preacher by C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, and continue to preach -- my call -- most spiritually whole in the pulpit. (I AM IN A RUSH WRITING THIS, HEADING OUT ON A TRIP, THEREFORE THIS IS A BIT JUMBLED -- NOT MY USUAL WRITING).
St. Benedict of Nursia
Father of Western Monasticism. Greatest influencer of spiritual direction and balanced life.
I nominate Charlene Richard (pronounced "REE-chard") saint(-to-be), for consideration. Sweet Charlene lived in the Acadian region of Louisiana. Stricken with leukemia at a young girl, she dedicated her pain and suffering to Jesus' Will. What a lovely young woman who died too young. But she left behind a legacy of faith not common in someone so young.
I would like to nominate Howard Thurman. He has all of the qualifications to be a golden halo winner - theologian, writer, social Justice advocate, mentor to others like MLK Jr, planter of churches. Thurman for the Golden Halo!
I nominate St Margaret of Scotland. Queen Margaret demonstrates to all the right use of power. An elite and privileged person, she made use of her position to feed the hungry, provide health care to the sick, educate people, and more, always showing compassion and empathy to all. These are qualities needand in a true leader of nations, which we do not see today. Besides which, I went to St. Margaret's School for Girls in Aberdeen, Scotland, and she has been my personal patron saint all my life. A Golden Halo for St Margaret of Scotland!
Alas, I don't live near HQs and I don't have any bricks handy. I would like to nominate St. Swithun, former Bishop of Winchester. Swithun was Bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. According to tradition (no one was there with a tape recorder), Swithun wanted to be buried under a walkway leading into the Cathedral. He wanted people to walk all over him, no golden shrines for him. (Some bishops claim this happens today all of the time)
After Swithun's death in 862, he was buried beneath a walkway going into the Cathedral. Some pious people moved him to a shrine indoors and when they did that, there as a terrible storm. St. Swithun's feast day is July 15th and he has a traditional poem:
St. Swithin’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.
With all of the rain happening around the country, I suspect that there was rain on July 15th this year. Let's crown a weatherman!
St. Swithun for the Golden Halo!
I nominate Bl. Carlo Acutis who will be canonized on Sept. 7th. His original canonization on April 27th was rescheduled because of the passing of Pope Francis. This 15-year old who died in 2006 was an inspiration for all but especially young people with his extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist and his passion for using his technology aptitude to create resources promoting his faith. His feast day is October 12th, the date of his death and he will be the first millennial saint.
I would like to nominate St. Louise de Marillac. Louise (August 12, 1591 – March 15, 1660) was the co-founder, with Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity. There's a lot to consider, but she was canonized by Pope Pius VI in 1934 and is the patron saint of social workers. I'm sure she did most of the heavy lifting, while Vincent got the credit.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast Day Dec 12. I’d like to nominate Our Lady, Patron St of the Americas—at a time when there is political strife at the border, she serves as a reminder that faith transcends political boundaries. As New Mexicans, we love Our Lady.
I would like to nominate the Martyrs of Memphis (September 9). A very small group of priests and Sisters of St. Mary’s who, knowing that they faced almost certain death, remained in Memphis during the Yellow Fever outbreak in 1878 to nurse the sick and dying. 4 Sisters and 2 priests died along with over 4000 citizens.
Already nominated, I second the nomination of Father Oscar Romero, archbishop of El Salvador when he was assassinated in 1980. He moved through the Catholic ranks because he was seen as sympathetic to the brutal government at the time, but he was alarmed by the death of a fellow priest and friend, and essentially switched his alliance to support the people of El Salvador and oppose the actions of the military government. This cost him his life. Today in El Salvador you can visit his grave and see his image on the buildings in the center square. He was a brave man whose life represents change and conflict and shows the depths of belief and service. He can be seen as a relevant voice in our country today but he can also be seen as someone whose ability to view current events in the context of his religion led him to speak out for those who needed it.
I would like to nominate Manchi Masemola, the young Pedi girl from South Africa born in 1913 and who was brutalized and Martyred by her parents in 1928 for her persistent Christian faith. She became a Christian when Anglican Missionaries taught classes to prepare new Christians for baptism. Her story is amazing, especially when you consider her own insight into the situation. "[I will] be baptized in my own blood" she predicted.
I nominate St. Florian, patron saint of firefighters, to Lent Madness.
I would like to nominate John Wesley, Anglican priest and founder of Methodism. His creation of Methodist societies was instrumental in revival and outreach.
Dorothy Day.
Her humanity and her work to bring the Kingdom of God to life in troubled time is an example for our day, too.
“In these times when social concerns are so important,” he stated, “I cannot fail to mention the Servant of God Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement. Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints.”Oct 31, 2024
I once again nominate Saint Simeon Stylites -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_Stylites
For me, he is a most unusual saint. Not known for miracles, but for a peculiar kind of communion with God via his asceticism. I realize he is a "dark horse" in this competition.
I nominate St. Photina, aka the Samaritan Woman at the Well from the gospel of John. She has a lot of spirit and a lively curiosity. She might be called the apostle to the Samaritans, since she immediately leaves Jesus and goes to her village to announce the good news.
Tradition has it that she was martyred at Rome after converting the daughter of the emperor Nero and her attendants, as well as other people.
She is venerated in the Orthodox Church.
As his American successor has recently been elected I nominate Saint Peter.
I would like to nominate St Cedd a northern British saint from the 7 th century.
He was instrumental during the Synod Whitby. His brother was St Chad and two other brothers were monks who travelled spreading Christianity across Northumbria. I first became aware of him when visiting the church in Lastingham Yorkshire where there is a crypt he used for worship under the church. As soon as we entered we were overcome by a sensation of peace, serenity and holinesss, a truly thin place.
I nominate Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century Benedictine abbess, composer, writer and visionary. She was recognized as a Doctor of the Church in 2012. She composed over 70 pieces of liturgical music, authored several texts and influenced Christian thought with her mystical theology. She also wrote about and practiced medicine. A true polymath, her music and writings have inspired many, including me.
I nominate St. Aidan of Lindisfarne. He studies in Iona but was known as the Apostle of Northumbria and is credited with spreading Christianity throughout northwest England. He also founded the Lindisfarne Abbey, famous for the Lindisfarne Gospels among other things.
I would like to nominate St. Aelred of Rievaulx, commemorated on January 12. During this time in the history of our world, we are seeing so much division and devastation. We are seeing communities and groups being targeted out of fear and hate. I think what the world needs now is a good dose of friendship. Spiritual Friendships rooted in love that finds ways of love each other and respect differences. It is what the world needs now, and St. Aelred is the perfect model.
I nominate St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio. As a child, he was cured of a serious illness by St. Francis of Assisi. He became a Franciscan Friar himself. He was elected by his brothers to be the General Minister of the Franciscan Order. He was ordained a bishop and named a cardinal. When the news of his nomination reached him, he was in the scullery helping to wash the dishes. Humility, love of God, and love of neighbor.
I nominate Elizabeth Fedde, deaconess (1850-1921); she's on the ELCA calendar of festivals and commemorations (Feb 25). From Ramshaw's "More Days for Praise" (p. 44): "Fedde was a Norwegian deaconess who spent twenty years establishing deaconess work in the US and ministering to Norwegian immigrants."
She exemplifies one who served those on the margins and who advocated for them among people of power and influence.
For more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Fedde
I nominate Saint Thomas the Apostle.
At the Last Supper, he was bold to ask Jesus the question, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).
Thomas’ honest questioning and doubt, and Jesus’ assuring response to him, have given many modern Christians courage to persist in faith, even when they are still doubting and questioning.
I would like to nominate Deaconess Susan Trevor Knapp, dean of the NY Training School for Deaconesses and missionary to Japan to be included in "Lent Madness: 2026. She is commemorated on the Calander of Deacon Saints complied by the late Ven Ormonde Plater on November 20th.The calendar can be found on the website of the Association for Episcopal Deacons. She was a big part of my MA Thesis at GTS in 2008.
November 20 Calendar of Deacon Saints: Susan Trevor Knapp, deaconess and missionary to Japan
The most influential graduate of the St. Faith's, and later a member of the faculty, who served as dean and was a well a respected national and international leader in the deaconess movement, was Susan Trevor Knapp, an 1894 graduate of the school. Knapp would be the guiding force behind both the New York School for Deaconesses and the American Deaconess Movement for over thirty years.
Born in 1862, she was academically gifted. She seriously studied history and literature and was able to read and write Greek at an early age. After the death of her parents, Knapp kept house for her brother, a New York attorney. When he abruptly relocated to Alaska she began to pursue her call as a deaconess.
Knapp was set apart as a deaconess at Grace Church on May 1, 1899 by Bishop Henry Codman Potter of the Diocese of New York. Shortly after that Knapp traveled to England. There she met many of the founders of the English deaconess movement, including Bishop Randall Davidson, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury, and his wife. Their friendship forged an important link between the Episcopal Church and the Church of England.
Knapp was made dean of St. Faith's House in 1903. She oversaw the building of the new facility on the Cathedral Close and the transfer of the school from its West 12th Street buildings, and she began to focus on recruiting top students and making the curriculum more rigorous. Knapp's reputation as an innovative educator spread, and she spent much time traveling abroad and lecturing about the deaconess movement in the United States in general and the training program at St. Faith's House in particular.
Beginning in 1913 the St. Faith's House Board of Directors and Knapp became embroiled in a power struggle over the philosophical direction of the institution and its financial problems. The Board of Directors felt that Knapp's independence and strong will often made her difficult to work with. (it was true, to some extent)
Knapp had planned to visit overseas missions in Asia, and she set sail for the Far East in December 1915 conferring and observing mission work throughout the area through June of 1916. While she continued her journeys the Board of Directors of the St. Faith's House began to be openly critical of Knapp's leadership style. The Board decided to re-visit the duties of the Dean of the school. the woman who was considered by many to be the foremost leader of the Deaconess Movement in the United Sates, chief administrator of a successful formation program for deaconesses and other women workers in the church, and friend and confidant of the Archbishop of Canterbury, was replaced as head of the most prestigious American training school while she was out of the country on a fact-finding mission to improve her institution's instruction for deaconesses who were in the mission field. Her replacement was the Rev. William E. Gardner, a priest whose special talents were in the field of Sunday School Education.
Knapp was offered the position as House Mother in the school she had guided for so long. She declined the offer. In November of 1916 Knapp tendered her resignation to the Board of Trustees at St. Faith's House and left for Japan.
She had learned to love her new post in Japan. It was a very different place than where she had first served as deaconess. Japan would quickly become her home. She would transfer her energy around the Deaconess Movement to the missionary work in Japan and the Pacific Rim. She moved to Tokyo where, with the financial help of a dedicated group of supporters, mostly women, from New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, and with the oversight and with the support of the Reverend William T. Manning, Rector of Trinity Church, Manhattan (later the Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of New York) she was able eventually to build for herself a small home on the campus of St. Paul's University.(Now known as Rikkyo University)There, and within the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital, she began her ministry to young Japanese men and women, teaching English and leading in Bible study.
She returned to the United States in 1939 when Japan began to expel foreign missioners in failing health. She died in Los Angeles about 20 November 1941, shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
St George! Nominated by my 12 year old son (and ardent supporter of Lenten Madness until his faves get knocked out): “Good conquers evil. Plus he has a cool flag. And decent animated youtube clips plus one kinda weird one done with one of those wonky AI voices.” (Would it surprise you that my son’s name is…George?)
Bring back Herman of Alaska! I was so impressed with him when I learned about him in a previous Lent Madness, he deserves another run for the Halo. Best of all, his alternate feast day is my birthday!
Stephen, deacon and martyr. The future of the church is diaconal--surely the first deacon, first martyr, should be nominated. As the preacher at my ordination said, Stephen didn't just dish out bread and clean up; he went out and brought Christ to the world.