🚨 Special Guest Picker Alert! 🚨 A familiar face returns and we have missed him. The Rev. Tim Schenck is back to help decide who takes the final spot in the Elate Eight. Today is a true healthcare showdown 🏥✨
Cosmas and Damian, the brothers who healed for free, are "Walking in Memphis" to face Constance and her Companions, the nuns who gave their lives caring for those suffering from yellow fever in Memphis, TN
Healing hands vs. sacrificial hearts. Two powerful legacies. One final spot.
Only one will join the original healthcare hero in the Elate Eight, Blessed Gerard. His Hospitallers just sent Clare and the Franciscans home in a nail-biter, 51% to 49%. We expected upsets. We expected heart stopping moments. But who knew we'd all this holy healthcare to bring us through it!
Watch the video, read the blogs, go see your Primary Care Physician, and VOTE!
Cosmas and Damian
You have learned that the twin doctors Cosmas and Damian were pioneers in developing cures for a variety of ailments. While they developed more traditional medicinal cures, they also often incorporated prayer and spiritual guidance as key elements of their healing practices. They also used “incubation,” meaning their sick patients would move into churches or sanctuaries to be closer to God, and also closer to being cured.
The most famous story about Cosmas and Damian is the Miracle of the Black Leg. Sometime in the 6th century, long after their deaths, a church employee (a verger, sexton, or deacon, depending on who you ask) had a cancerous leg, and the doctor twins came to this white man in a dream. When the man awoke, he discovered that his diseased leg was replaced by a black leg that came from a recently deceased Ethiopian man. Upon inspecting the Ethiopian man’s cadaver, it was discovered that one of his legs had been replaced by a white leg.
As patron saints of doctors, there were several articles in medical journals mentioning the brothers—not that this non-doctor blogger could understand much! But, in one helpful reflection on the Miracle of the Black Leg, University of Amsterdam surgeon Thomas van Gulick wrote: “While the transplant was technically a miracle, the choice of a leg graft from a black cadaveric donor for a white recipient was remarkable. It shows that even in times in which surgeons could only dream of transplantation, altruism prevailed free of racial issues. In our era of organ transplantation, altruism has been the fundamental principle in organ donation by which each available organ should go to anyone in need of the organ, irrespective of race, religion or any other conditions.” Although Cosmas and Damian’s miracle was purported to have occurred roughly 1500 years ago, their altruism is something we can be inspired by in our modern-day society.
Finally, the Epistle reading appointed for Cosmas and Damian’s feast day in the Eastern Orthodox Church is 1 Corinthians 12: 27—31; 13:1-8, some of which reads: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues….Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way….Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” Perhaps in Cosmas and Damian, we can find inspiration to live as they did: give freely of yourself to help others because that is what we are called to do.
— Kathryn Nishibayashi
Constance and her Companions
Nearly 150 years after their personal sacrifice, Constance and her Companions are rightfully remembered and honored for their ministry.
In August 1878, Memphis, TN, was engulfed in a serious yellow fever epidemic. Evacuations were ordered and about 25,000 fled the city by any means possible. Unfortunately, many were unable to leave, thereby facing fever, panic, and an almost assured death. An average of 200 died each day.
But one group remained to tend and care for the sick. Collectively known as Constance and her Companions, the Martyrs of Memphis, they offered solace during the crisis. Say their names: those we lost: Sister Constance, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, Sister Frances, the Rev. Charles Carroll Parsons, the Rev. Louis S. Schuyler; and those who survived: the Very Rev. George Harris, Sister Hughetta.
Based at the cathedral, their relief efforts spanned healthcare, food, and homelessness. They faced unbearable heat, humidity, widespread illness— exhausting each beyond their limits.
Fr. Parsons, to the bishop, wrote: “It is impossible. Go and turn the Destroying Angel loose upon a defenseless city... and then you can form some idea of what Memphis... is.”
He added, "The fever is assuming a most fearful form . . . distress and death are on all sides."
Despite their obvious selflessness, they attracted their share of detractors. Nonetheless, small-mindedness did not stop them. In true form, Sister Constance stood up to those who thought their ministrations were needless. “Sirs,” she challenged, “is it possible that you would have us refuse to these children the very protection you have obtained for your own?"
Prayers were never far from their thoughts. While tending to the sick, and at her own death, Sister Constance spoke aloud a familiar prayer: "O God, make speed to save; O Lord make haste to help us."
On September 9, 1878, Sister Constance was the first to succumb to yellow fever, followed rapidly by Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, Sister Frances, Fr. Parsons, and Fr. Schuyler.
Before she died, Sister Constance offered a message in writing and verbally for her companions. “You will be good to my people."
Sister Constance, as she lay dying of the same plague she tended to others, chanted, "Alleluia, Osanna,” which translates to "Praise the Lord, save us now" or "Praise the Lord, I pray." At the altar of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Memphis, the words "Alleluia, Osanna" are inscribed as touching memorial to Sister Constance and Sisters Francis, Ruth, Theckla.
All six martyrs are buried at Elmwood Cemetery. “Greater Love Hath No Man” proclaims the graves of Fr. Parsons and Fr. Schulyer.
Say their names. Remember their names. Sister Constance, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, Sister Frances, the Rev. Charles Carroll Parsons, the Rev. Louis S. Schuyler.
— Neva Rae Fox
40 comments on “Cosmas and Damian vs. Constance and her Companions”
Constance (and her companions) for the win! all of it
YAY! So exciting!
The Miracle of the Black Leg admits many less positive readings in modern scholarship. Let's try not to sanitize the Middle Ages--their difficulty is often what made saintly action meaningful, after all.
This was a very hard choice today! I voted Cosmas and Damian as I did not know their story well, but I had a feeling it was the underdog choice. Both choices very worthy today!
I just remember the phrase Constance will go!
Prayer and spiritual guidance, "incubation" all captured my imagination: body and soul intricately bound up in the experience of illness and healing.
But today Constance & Companions get my vote for their service (as they faced their own almost certain death) to protect "these children"
The story of Constance and her companions
has touched me for a long time.
Thankful we have angels like that among us.
May we all strive to love as they did.
Amen!
In honor of all the first responders and hospital workers who labored through the pandemic of 2020, when protective equipment was scarce, and for those who comforted the dying in their isolation, I vote for Constance and her companions.
So hard to choose between two sets of devoted health care workers. Going with Constance & Co., in solidarity with a similar group of Anglicans and Catholics working together in Toronto in the summer of 1847, who staffed the Emigrant Hospital and tended to thousands of Irish potato-famine refugees who emerged from their ships with typhus fever. 38,000 refugees disembarked in 3 months, in a city of 20,000. Healthy people were immediately sent out of the city, sick ones tended to. Just over 1,000 of them died, and the epidemic did not spread to the city. Several doctors, nurses, and orderlies died - also, the Catholic Bishop of Toronto, Michael Power, who regularly visited the "fever sheds" that were erected to handle the hospital overflow.
Love the Gawdfathers of Lent Madness: Fr.Scott & Fr. Tim!
Is Constance and her Crew about to be the Cinderella story of the Century?!
My daughter, then a medical resident, worked in her hospital throughout the pandemic, without proper protective equipment. There were about twenty residents- all but three got Covid. My daughter was one of the three who did not. I like to think that the weekly prayers of our church congregation for her safety helped. So I have to vote for Constance and her companions.
Truly, Christine it's care givers who are at risk. From my residency came one of my best friends, call him Dr T. Today he's serving a poor community in West Virginia, and he got COVID just before a vaccine became available. Bless your daughter, and all the Dr. Ts and brave medical workers!
My vote goes to Constance and her companions in honour of all medical staff who head towards danger at risk of their own lives, especially those serving in war zones today. (For the first time this season I was presented with a series of images to confirm I am not a robot!)
How suspenseful this Final Four will be. Benedict pitted against the Blessed Gerard? In particular, we Lutherans, ever loyal to Martin, are asked to weigh his clear headedness against the loyal-to-a-fault St Joan of Arc!! It is a cliff hanger....
SO very happy to see Tim Schenck back - I can't believe he doesn't secretly predict who will win the golden halo.
Reading about Constance and Companions today brought to mind for me a parallel with the networks of people in the Twin Cities who provided food, protection, and support to people at risk during the recent plague of ICE and Border Patrol raids in that area. Similar, less-heralded, work is going on in other communities throughout the US. Some of these networks are faith-based; some not, but they share the willingness to put themselves at risk to care for the vulnerable. Another reason to vote for the Martyrs of Memphis today.
I had planned to vote for Constance and her Companions anyway, as a vote for their giving their lives in attested acts of service, but Neva Rae Fox clinched my choice with "Say their names."
"Say their names...."
Selflessness and kindness wins. Thanks to Neva Rae Fox for her incredible and loving tribute.
As a twin, I've got to go with the twin brothers; also for their mission to heal, regardless of race.
It doesn't surprise me that Constance and her Companions are ahead by a country kilometre! Cosmas and Damian would have made a fine choice if any of their hagiography was provable. The leg story, while fascinating, makes one wonder why today's doctors can't achieve such miracles, what with the advancement of medical science and all! On the other hand, the good work of Constance and her Companions is well-documented. You go, girls!
May I make a sugggestion? In future Lent Madness contests,it would be only fair to pit people who are well-documented against the oft-times mythical do-gooders of the first 500 years of Christianity (qv Christopher, Ursula and the 11,000 virgins, Barnara and others of their ilk). Maybe take a leaf out of the RC action in the 1960s and demote a few of the non=verifiable folk from the Book of Saints.
The fact that doctors still can't achieve such results only makes the Black Leg more miraculous!
Patron Saints of Pandemic Response for the win! Everybody should go read The American Plague by Molly Caldwell Crosby. These guys and also a group of military doctors in Cuba did unbelievably selfless things to fight that yellow fever epidemic-- and they won!
This was such a hard choice today. I generally vote first and then read the comments, but I read the comments first today and was moved by all the ways the sacrifices of Constance and her Companions are reflected by other groups of dedicated medical teams, especially in our own experience of the COVID pandemic. But when all was said and done I had to vote for Cosmas and Damian because of Kathryn's wonderfully perceptive write up reflecting how the ministry of these ancient, quasi-historic medical brothers also has much to tell us about living saintly lives today.
"...Graceland, Graceland, goin' to Memphis Tennessee, I'm goin' to Graceland..."
-Paul Simon
Instead of Elvis, I think of Constance when I hear that song,
I intended to vote for the brothers Cosmos and Damian since growing up I lived 1 block from the Catholic Church named after them but I was so moved by the sacrificial compassion of Constance and her Companions that I changed my mind. Looks like a lot of others were just as moved.
Both sets of saints are worthy folk. I voted for Cosmas and Damian just to even the count.
In these times we need all the relatively recent role models for selfless love of neighbor we can find. Let us say their names: Constance, Thecla, Ruth, Frances, Charles, Louis; and the two who survived to continue serving, George Harris and Hughetta. And let us go forth and do likewise.
Skipping this round because frankly I'm completely unhinged by both stories this time.
No offense to Cosmas and Damian, but Constance and her companions are historical.
YES YES YES
I’m saying the names Cosmas and Damian today. I’m charmed by the idea of “incubation,” which seems to place people at the center of community, both social and spiritual. I’m less attracted to the miracle of the bi-racial leg, because that reminds me of a Buster Keaton sight gag. I would however like to know if the blessed sisters in the south treated white, black, Mexican, and Indian equally in their labors during plague. Did they succor everyone inclusively? Any miracle or social practice that heals racial exclusion is surely welcome today.
The Sisters came from New Jersey to establish a school and turned to taking care of the Yellow Fever victims. Many people of color helped them in this effort, which I assume wouldn't have happened if the Martyrs of Memphis had discriminated on the basis of race.
I was wondering about that, too. Not having heard previously of the Martyrs of Memphis - Constance, Thecla, Ruth, Frances, Charles, Louis; and George Harris and Hughetta, who survived - I also wanted to know more and did a brief search. A blog led to a more detailed article/ excerpt, along with further sources, retrieved here: https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/religious/constance-and-her-companions/
The author describes heartrending situations that sound all too familiar after the Covid pandemic.
Like so many of our contemporary health care and other front line workers, these people of faith could have left, but rather they went into the danger and served in the midst of those sick and often poor and abandoned or orphaned, including children in an orphan asylum. It appears the sisters faithfully cared for, and worked alongside, people of all colours and social/ economic status who were there.
Because of how clear and relatable their story is, to teach us in our current time, I voted for Constance and her Companions. ( I would like still to learn more about Cosmos and Damian. Antiquity blurs details, but such stories come down to us because the thousands of people who remember and share them have found strength and faith through them. )
Thanks always to this community for the caring conversation and opportunities learning.
Proud graduate of the school founded by Constance and her companions. My time there was spiritually formative. It gave me a valuable grounding in scripture and liturgy. Going to my 60th reunion in a few weeks.
I also remember "Constance would go," from a write up a few years ago. Hope she will go all the way!