But first… what an incredible season it has been. We have learned, laughed, and lived into the witness of some truly amazing saints.
A special thank you to everyone who joined us on Facebook Live to meet our bloggers, vloggers, and the Forward Movement team. If you missed it, you can catch the replay on Facebook or YouTube:
This year was all about community makers and bridge builders, and we are so grateful you were part of this growing, faithful, joy-filled community as we deepen our love of Jesus 
And remember, Lent Madness is not just for Lent…
Join us this summer for 2027 saint nominations
Tune in this November for the bracket reveal
And stay connected for fun all year long
But now… the moment we have all been waiting for…
Click the link below for a special presentation of the Golden Halo Winner from Bishop Phoebe Roaf..
CLICK FOR THE GOLDEN HALO WINNER HERE!!!Â
18 comments on “👑 Announcing this year’s Golden Halo winner 👑”
Whoo-hoo! So excited ! I think I called it in my bracket! Ordained on their feast day so glad they and their fans in Memphis pulled it off!
I love Lent Madness. I think this is the 14th year I have been playing. I want to heartily thank everybody who makes this possible: Michael and Christian, all the celebrity bloggers, all the behind-the-scenes people without whose work nothing would work, and the whole Lent Madness community for participating and comments -- including replies again this year! And thanks be to God for so many divine blessings, including the ministries of all 32 saints and groups of saints we looked at this year. It's still too early to say the H . . .h word, but you know what I mean.
Thank you for a terrific season! There were so many terrific saints, thought provoking matchups and inspiring write ups! And what a huuuge Golden Halo vote total—over 13K! Is that a record?
Thank you all for another wonderful Lent Madness journey.
What a Lent this was! And my girl (and her friends) won the Golden Halo! Last month, I offered a session in our parish's "Cost of Discipleship" Lenten series on Constance and her Companions. She has been a participant in previous Lent Madness brackets, but never got beyond the Saintly 16. This year she had some strong competition (St. Peter, Martin Luther, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu), but prevailed. WooHoo!
Will there be a mug? I broke my Frances Perkins mug, and my Martha Of Bethany mug is fading...I need a new one...
Sudie I will PERSONALLY hook you up with Constance merch
Such a joyful--and surprising--day! I called it for Archbishop Tutu at the very beginning--and I wasn't alone. But I didn't factor in the girls of St. Mary's! I loved both finalists, but this really was a miracle. And now I have to convince my very understanding but slightly confused scientific materialist husband to go on a road trip to Memphis. (The prospect of some fine local bourbon will no doubt facilitate this task.)
Oh, by the way--from Central Illinois, with love:
I-L-L
I-N-I!
Go Illini!
This has been a lot of fun! Our church played along this year. People submitted brackets and we had a leaderboard in the Parish Hall. Our winner will be announced and receive a copy of Hour by Hour on Easter Sunday.
Yay, yay, yay, yay! Happy Dance! I was afraid that Desmond Tutu would win--not that he doesn't deserve a Golden Halo, but I really wanted a woman or group of women to win this year.
Women are the engines of the church and they deserve to be recognized for their witness and for all that they do.
Those women from my hometown and the Mother Mountain!! YSR!
I had forgotten about Sr. Constance and am glad the memory resurfaced.
I had picked Tutu, but glad the Sisters of St. Mary’s received the nod. There will be some hearty Alleluia’s in the chapel at St. Mary’s come Easter morn!
I’m grateful for all the saints we met through Lent Madness. Each one a different facet of faithfulness. And today I’m especially thankful for Constance and her Companions, whose witness reminds us that courage is often communal and love keeps showing up. For me, a vote for one is never a vote against another. It’s simply the story my heart needs right now.
What’s one saintly witness from this season you’re still carrying with you?
What a thrill to see the world rally around Constance and Her Companions! Shameless plug: A few years ago, I produced a podcast episode with Sister Hannah Winkler, the prioress of the Community of St. Mary in Sewanee, and the Rev. Lisa McIndoo, where they talked about the Martyrs of Memphis and their enduring legacy. Lisa even slipped in an incredible ghost story of her time working at St. Mary's Cathedral. Give it a listen if you can't get enough of Constance: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EoztTOPd4Okr9n1STwbx8?si=2xZ_7HgwQ6aEAqPEUGMw4w
Thank you for introducing me to Constance and her companions! Already looking forward to next year!
Congratulations to Constance and Her Companions for the Golden Halo WIN! I just love Lent Madness and this year was extra fun, thank you to our illustrious Supreme Executive Committee and our incredible biographers. I learn something new about our revered saints and nearly saints every year.
Thank you all for a great Lent Madness 2026! I always learn so much every year.
A Blessed Triduum and a Joyous Easter to all!
I was totally torn with this matchup! I predicted Desmond Tutu for the Halo from the beginning and was so psyched to see how far he came along. However, I was also overjoyed with the wonderful women in this bracket and learned so much about Constance and her companions. Thus, my two faves came to the finale. I’m calling it a win, anyway!
Thanks for another exciting year of learning about Saints and Saintly persons! Will there be a Constance mug? The church buys mugs every year for parishioners who select the winning Saint