177 comments on “Happy Nominationtide!”

1. St Clare, sister of St. Frances, an awesome saint and founder of a great religious order in her own right.

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2. I gotta nominate my namesake, Bernard of Clairvaux. My Dad did a dissertation on him in the final year of his history degree, and was so taken with him that when I came along ten years or so later I got named after him.

   St Bernard is sometimes regarded as the last of the fathers. He was one of the first monks at Citeaux, and after ten years or so was sent out to be the founding Abbot of the daughter monastery at Clairvaux. He wrote hymns (Jesus the Very Thought of Thee is credited to him, and perhaps Jesus thou joy of loving hearts), mentored Kings and Popes, and preached the Second Crusade.

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3. I would like to nominate Frederik Howden, Jr who was an priest and a chaplain of the Armed forces. He held the rank of Captain in the NM State Guard. He was chaplain to the 200th Coast, Artillery when it was federalized and sent to the Philippines in Sept. 0f 1941. At the fall of Corregidor to the Japanese April 1942, he was made prisoner of war with his fellow soldiers. He was forced to endure the Bataan Death march. He wa in several prison camps where he ministered to his fellow prisoners and was known to give his rations to those he felt needed them more tha he. Fr. Howden died of dysentry and starvation induced pellagra on Dec. 11, 1942. Several members of my congregation were in the Bataan Death March so his ministry and sacrifice has a special meaning to those of us in New Mexico

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4. I would like to nominate Stephen Hawking please .although he was diagnosid with ALS in his 20s, he became an extraordinary scientist as well as an inspiration to many people with disabilities worldwide !

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5. I would like to nominate Claire of Assisi. Yes, she INSISTED on being poor - and even needed a few popes in her corner to make it happen - but she was pretty cool about following the teachings of Christ. She was also mentored by a Golden Halo winner - Francis of Assisi.

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6. I nominate Hildegard of Bingen. This medieval woman was a Benedictine nun and Abbess, who was a preacher, a teacher, physician, musician, artist, and all around polymath. She loved the Lord God and taught especially about the Spirit and the Trinity. Her insights are still valuable today and one of her favorite words,”viriditas” relates to the greening of the world by the Holy Spirit. At a time when most women were relegated to servitude, she exercised all the gifts God gave her and even went on a preaching tour when she was in her 60s. She wrote some of the first musical theater music ever written. I could go on for a long time about why she is my favorite saint.

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7. Reply to M. Gallison who nominated Frances Perkins: she is ineligible because she has already won the Golden Halo.

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8. I nominate Saint Dominic (Santo Domingo; 8 August 1170 – 6 August 1221), also known as Dominic de Guzmán. He was a Castilian Catholic priest and the founder of the Dominican Order. He is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists, and he and his order are traditionally credited with spreading and popularizing the rosary. My oldest grandchild is an astrophysics major and I have become interested in astronomy (as any grandmother would). Certainly, we are turning space-ward and it’s reassuring to have this saint watching over us.

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9. I would like to nominate St. Hieronymus aka St. Jerome, the author who created the Vulgate Bible, Latin translated from the Hebrew. He is a doctor of the church know for biographies of the apostles and other writings on living a moral, Christian life.

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10. For about the seventh time, I nominate Dr./Sir Wilfred Grenfell who is commemorated on the calendars of the Church of England, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Episcopal Church USA. As a medical student in England, he asked himself what Jesus would do if he were a doctor and decided Jesus would take medical care to those who had none. He gave the rest of his life to providing medical care to the people, Native and settlers alike, of Labrador and the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. He traveled by dogsled in winter and hospital ship in summer to the remote communities which lacked access by road. A gifted speaker and fundraiser, he was able to build hospitals and nursing stations. He encouraged women's crafts so that families had a source of income besides the fisheries. He was a devout Anglican in spite of the establishment in St. John's criticizing him for holding religious services. Since there was no Communion involved, he was within his rights as a layman to do this. He had three funerals, in Boston where he had many supporters, in St. John's, and in St. Anthony, which was his base, and where his and his wife's ashes are interred in a large boulder on a hill behind his home. As a bonus, there is wonderful kitsch. My favorite is a painting he made of a Christmas feast in the Labrador forest, with himself and Lady Grenfell at the head and foot of a long table and animals and birds in the seats on each side. In the middle of the table is a flaming plum pudding, and everyone is raising a hand, paw, or wing in a toast. I have sent Christmas cards of this, as well as his painting of the Nativity with the Holy Family depicted as Inuit. He is depicted in the Physicians window in the National Cathedral in Washington. I am an American who lived in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1990-2015 and think this would be a nice gesture toward our Canadian friends and neighbors at this particular time! His memory is still revered and his name kept alive in Grenfell College and Grenfell Regional Health Services.

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11. I nominate St. John of Beverley (died 7 May 721) who was an English bishop in the Kingdom of Northumbria. He was known for his intelligence, humility, and service. Among other things he ordained Bede a deacon and then priest! Bede said that for a time John was resident at Whitby under Hilda. John was actually super popular in the Middle Ages, although these days not so much. In fact, Henry V credited John of Beverley with his victory at Agincourt. Julian of Norwich herself was a fan. He is credited with many healings and miracles. One of the things I find most compelling about John is his desire for prayer, solitude, and meditation, coupled with a desire to serve those in need. To that end, he would regularly go to a small chapel in the wilderness for quiet on a regular basis with a few of his disciples. He had a spiritual groundedness to him. During these times he would invite those less fortunate to join them so he could care for them. He eventually bought the property and founded a monastery, around which the town of Beverley grew.

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12. I nominate St. Columba whose mission to inspire harmony and love between all living creatures, man and animals, is a lesson to us all in these times of global conflict.

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13. I would like to nominate Saint Columba aka Colmcille, the patron saint of Derry, who founded the abbey on Iona and is recognized as one of the twelve Apostles of Ireland. He spread Christianity in what is now Scotland, and there is even a legend that he banished a beast to the River Ness, which would become a massive mythical (or not) creature, the Loch Ness Monster. He was also a poet and a high school and college, Iona, in New Rochelle, NY, is minutes from where I lived for years.

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14. I would love to learn more about one of the lesser known Apostles, St. Bartholomew. My son's middle name is Bartholomew -- such a classic, strong name. But I hardly know anything about the Bartholomew of the Bible, and Lent Madness would be such a great way to learn! (Pst... Bart Simpson of the Simpsons might make some great kitch??)

15. I nominate St. Gertrude, the patron saint of cats. As a not-too-crazy cat lady, St. Gertrude gets my vote!!!!

16. I would like to nominate St Lawrence of Brindisi. A Capuchin friar with a love of scripture and having a mastery of several languages he worked tiressly for the common understanding of different cultures.

17. I would like to second the nomination of Fred Rogers. In addition to his program for children on PBS, he successfully lobbied a previous session of Congress not to cut funding for PBS (in a vastly different era), and he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. His affirmative tone for children is needed today more than ever.

    I’m not sure that the PCUSA has a system of adopting commemorations as TEC does. I did find the following (which unfortunately doesn’t seem to include Fred Rogers), but— the best I can tell— it seems to be published by an individual rather than a church body.

    https://pma.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/calltoworship/pdf/a_calendar_of_commemorations_ctw_484.pdf

    I’m hoping that the following would meet the requirement of an official commemoration of a church.

    https://centernet.pcusa.org/ministries/theology-formation-and-evangelism/office-of-christian-formation/mr-rogers-day-resources/

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18. I nominate St Michael, he is the patron saint of soldiers and police officers. They may not be looked upon with favor these days but they help keep us safe. That’s why I’m nominating St Michael.

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19. Omelian Kovch, Ukrainian-Greek Catholic priest, arrested for providing baptismal certificates to Jews. Martyred in Majdanek concentration camp. Beatified by Pope John Paul II.

20. I'd like to nominate The Rev Henry Budd. Details at https://henrybuddcollege.org/2024/04/02/remembering-the-rev-henry-budd-sr/

    the TL;DR
    “the first ordained Indigenous Anglican minister in North America” Budd translated Scripture, hymns, and teachings into Cree, and taught multiple European missionaries the Cree language serving as translator when needed

21. Hildegarde von Bingen! A woman for all seasons. She not only created music to celebrate our Creator and His Son, but was a confidante and advisor to Kings. Amazing and Golden Halo-worthy!

22. Robert Robinson. His hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing “ is inspiring and challenging.

23. I nominate Frederick Denison Maurice, 19th century Anglican priest and social activist, who is commemorated in the BCP on April 1. Maurice wrote, "the Power of God, the Power which goes forth from the Father and the Son, the Power which breathed life into all things, is the Power of Love... Love delights to shed itself abroad into everything." While Maurice's strong foundation in Unitarianism and nonconformity drove his ministry, it was also a source of contention between him and his academic superiors, leading to his dismissal from King's College in 1853. This only gave him time to found the Working Men's College in London in 1854 and the Christian Socialist movement, which Maurice believed to be the logical result of true Christianity. "His work," writes James Kiefer, "is one of the reasons why Socialism in England has been largely devoid of the avowedly anti-Christian overtones it had in many other countries." Frederick Denison Maurice is the antidote to passive despair and an example of the power of hope which comes from God.

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24. Nominate Charles F. Menninger, Karl A. Menninger, and William C. Menninger. Episcopal Feast Day March 6th (Pioneers in Medicine, with William W. Mayo and Sons).

    The Menningers made significant contributions to the humane treatment of mental health issues through the Menninger Foundation and the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, KS, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. They moved psychiatry and psychiatric treatment from what was essentially a custodial care model to a scientific model based upon the notion that such illnesses are treatable and even curable.

    The Menningers founded what grew into the largest psychiatric training center in the world, emphasizing research, education, and social outreach. They developed a systematic classification of mental disorders, which ultimately became the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic gold standard still used today.

    All the Menningers, but Dr. Karl in particular, made systematic use of psychiatric techniques in their ministry to souls. The Menningers frequently addressed the nature of the relationship between mental health and religion and incorporated specific premises of religious faith in their treatment practices and in the way they organized their clinics. Dr. Karl’s books Sparks and Whatever Became of Sin were models for pastoral counseling and included a strong call for clergy to reassume spiritual leadership, which he cited as essential to the mental health of the community at large.

25. Olaf II Haraldsson, better known as Saint Olaf, presents an exceptionally strong case for nomination to Lent Madness. As the "Eternal King of Norway" and the nation's patron saint, his influence extends far beyond his lifetime. He played a pivotal role in the Christianization of Norway, transitioning the country from paganism to a Christian state through both legislation and missionary work, even bringing English missionaries to his realm. Though his reign was marked by resistance to these changes and ultimately led to his death in battle, his posthumous canonization just a year later speaks volumes to the profound impact he had and the popular veneration that rapidly spread, fueled by reported miracles. His story embodies a complex blend of warrior, unifier, and zealous evangelist, making him a compelling and historically significant figure worthy of consideration for the Golden Halo.

26. Olga Michael, canonized June 19, 2025, by the Orthodox Church. Born 1916, died 1979. She married an Orthodox priest, bore 13 children of whom 8 survived to adulthood, was a midwife and a teacher of subsistence living practices and greatly admired for her love of others and her devotion to God. She is the first female Orthodox Saint from North America and worthy of wider recognition. As for a miracle, when she died in November 1979 it was reported that unseasonably warm weather caused ice in the river to thaw so that travelers could attend her funeral using boats.

27. Saint Barnabas the Apostle (June 11)

    Barnabas, called the "son of encouragement", deserves a place in Lent Madness. His generosity in selling a field to support the early Church (Acts 4:36–37), his unwavering faith in vouching for Paul (Acts 9:26–27), and his role in founding the vibrant Christian community at Antioch (Acts 11:22–26) demonstrate how encouragement can transform lives. Barnabas shows that believing in others opens doors to new life in Christ. He inspires believers to mirror his example by offering affirmation and support to those around them, just as Scripture urges us to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). His legacy of reconciliation and hope provides a powerful model for us to be "encouragers" too.

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28. My nomination is St. Carantoc, the 6th century (7th?) abbot in Wales (and elsewhere). I nominate him because, when I was teaching at a theological school in the Anglican Diocese of Botswana, I was asked to preach on his feast day at the St. Carantoc Church in Francistown. I had never heard of him. My search for information led to what became my favorite story, of his taking his "portable altar," some said made of stone, in a boat across the Bristol Channel. He had been led to believe that he should build a church where he and the altar landed. Not surprisingly, the weight of the stone altar sank the boat, which made the church's location problematic. Carantoc proceeded on to shore, and built his church there. ... I never could find anyone there in the northeast of Botswana who could tell me why the parish was named for this saint. Still, the celebration of his feast day went forward, and my sermon seemed well-received, and ever since, I have felt an affection from this obscure saint.

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29. I would like to nominate the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, who was decades ahead of her time as an activist, civil rights lawyer, feminist, writer, and priest. She helped organize student sit-ins in segregated restaurants in the 40s, influenced the argument that eventually became Brown v. Board of Education, and then the argument that eventually led to the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. Her autobiography, "Song in a Weary Throat", is a masterclass in what it means to be the person who influences but does not get to affect or reap the rewards of great social change. We need her example right now.

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30. I would like to nominate St. Fabiola.

    This year I learned that she is the patron saint of divorced women and hospice, among other things. Fabiola belonged to the patrician Roman family of the gens Fabia. She had been married to a man who led so vicious a life that to live with him was impossible. She obtained a divorce from him according to Roman law and, contrary to the ordinances of the Christian Church, she entered upon a second union before the death of her first husband. She corresponded with St. Jerome and used her wealth to build hospitals in Rome.

    There is a rather fascinating story about an idealized portrait painted of her in 1885: the original was lost in 1912 but the image was copied by artists around the globe in the following century, copies of which have been collected and displayed in various private and public showings.