🎤 What do you get when you mix papal vestments and Memphis, TN? No, it is not Elvis in a mitre… it is today’s Lent Madness matchup!!!! 😎
In one corner, from Vatican City, 🇻🇦 The defeater of Apostles Thomas and Paul. The man with keys to pearly gates. It is PETER 🔑
In the other corner, from Memphis, TN 🏥 The nuns who stayed when others fled, their healthcare outmatched Cosmas and Damian’s. The Martyrs of Memphis outshined the Martyrs of Uganda. It is Constance and her Companions ✝️
Two more than worthy contenders, two powerful stories of faith and witness, and one step closer to the Golden Halo.
They bring the best kitsch of Memphis and Vatican City swag out today, as they battle for a spot in the Faithful Four… alongside yesterday’s winner 👀
THE ARCH himself, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who dominated Archbishop Janani Luwum 71.69% to 28.31% 🔥 Watch the video, read the blogs, and VOTE 🗳️
Constance and her Companions
They gave their lives in service to others. They remained in a yellow-fever devastated Memphis, TN to minister to and care for the sick while thousands fled the city. They succumbed to the very epidemic they were fighting. They died in September 1878; nonetheless, their imprint on the city is lasting and remains 148 years later.
They are collectively known as Constance and her Companions, the Martyrs of Memphis: Sister Constance, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, Sister Frances, the Rev. Charles Carroll Parsons, and the Rev. Louis S. Schuyler.
There are no t-shirts or bumper stickers or billboards or other popular societal manifestations heralding what they did. But their presence in Memphis – and in the Church – is ubiquitous. Just like them.
The altar of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Memphis features the words "Alleluia, Osanna,” Constance’s final chant, as a touching memorial to Sister Constance, Sister Frances, Sister Ruth, and Sister Thecla.
St. Mary's Episcopal School was founded by the nuns’ order.
A Memphis Street Marker tells their story. 
The city’s Elmwood Cemetery colorfully marks where the Martyrs are buried and is a popular site for pilgrimages.
Stained glass windows colorfully depict their ministry. Icons and greeting cards artfully present their images.
Then there are blogs and recorded sermons and articles such as “The Sisters of St. Mary at Memphis.”
No books specifically about the Martyrs are readily apparent, but there are many books with dedicated chapters and sections about 
them, such as Holy Women Holy Men.
Check out the YouTubes including the Episcopal Women's History Project and The Vicarage.
A statue in their honor towers over Memphis’ Martyrs Park.
The public honors for Constance and Her Companions, the Martyrs of Memphis—Sister Constance, Sister Thecla, Sister Ruth, Sister Frances, the Rev. Charles Carroll Parsons, the Rev. Louis S. Schuyler— are truly befitting of their contributions and their quiet simple dedication.
Remember their names.
— Neva Rae Fox
Peter the Apostle
I have a confession to make: I was mostly ambivalent about the Saints until COVID, during which I discovered The Modern Saints by Gracie. Gracie cuts through the barrier of unfamiliarity and depicts Saints as people we could see in our lives today. Her icon of Peter could be one of my college classmates. I can see him in my philosophy class, debating my professor about whether a person’s character is simply the sum of their actions.
Though Peter looms large in the history of our Church, our next item of kitsch is a Tiny Saint. For those who would sometimes like him to be cut down to size for his idiocy, this is one is perfect for you. (If you did not vote for Peter, you can also get his bros Paul & Thomas as Tiny Saints!)
Since Peter is considered the first pope, I would be remiss not to mention that the past couple years have been interesting for the papacy fandom with the release of Conclave (movie, fictional) and a new pope (real, from Chicago). 
I highly recommend the Conclave movie, Conclave book, and every piece of hilarious kitsch celebrating The Chicago Pope (hat) (shirt).
On the other hand, if voting for Peter is giving your Protestantism the heebie jeebies, here is a sticker to assert your stance.
Now, allow me a small departure – when I ran my campus ministry’s social media (shout out St. Francis House, UW-Madison!), in addition to the kitsch of this round, I highlighted charities that I believed the Saint would support. This practice connected the often historical Saints with people who are continuing their work today.
For Peter, the first I’m recommending is your bishop’s discretionary fund. Episcopal bishops can trace their consecration lineages back to Peter. Their discretionary funds are meant for good works, charities, and ministries not covered by the diocesan budget.
In honor of the fisherman and the fisher of men, the second is the Seamen’s Church Institute, which supports, advocates on behalf of, and offers pastoral care to mariners. You can donate financially or knit scarves for their Christmas at Sea program.
The last is the Good Friday Offering, which raises money for schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. This is Peter’s homeland. This is our faith’s homeland. And it is currently being torn apart. Of all the links on this page, I ask that you click on this one.
Finally, a blessing in honor of St. Peter: You are loved - no matter your mistakes or successes. God walks with you through every storm, over every mountain, on every long road. May grace and peace be yours in abundance (1 Peter 1:2b).
— Bekah Scholare
62 comments on “Constance and her Companions vs. Peter the Apostle”
Constance and her Companions for the Golden Halo! A blessed example for our time
Again this round, in honor of first responders and hospital workers who risked their lives tirelessly during the pandemic, I cast my vote for the Martyrs of Memphis. Peter already has a co-starring role in the story. Let's promote the ones few knew about until they joined the Madness.
It is important for leaders to pass responsibility to the next generation. While Peter isn't around, and neither is Constance, it is TIME. Plus, I am hoping that in my life half of the golden halos will have gone to women. That will be a trick since I will soon be 80! Our grand children need to know more strong female role models
Ms Mack, I appreciate your thoughts! I will turn 70 this August and, though we have no grandchildren yet, I still have hope. And I wish you Happy Birthday in advance. Seeing, on Friday AM that the Martyrs of Memphis had so much support from voters is encouraging! Blessings on you this Easter, Dinah (in Upstate NY)
I voted for Constance and her companions, but I have to say, I love the kitschy write-up for Peter. Da Pope! LOL
No not LOL if u like it so much vote for Peter!
I had to go with St. Peter, though Constance and Her Companions are a worthy group as well. Have to say, I loved the movie, Conclave but have not read the book yet. I also adore the icon of St. Peter and the others I've encountered from Gracie. The ethnicity is refreshing, and it reminds me of the project I'm still considering beginning: my own artistic depiction of the saints, and other people with whom I am enamoured, such as Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and our incredible new Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally.
Peter, because I am an idiot for Christ, and can relate to him.
Shoutout to the St Mary’s Turkeys! An Episcopal all girls school in Memphis founded by Constance and her companions!
I cast my vote for Constance and her companions. This year, I put together a Lenten program about these dedicated and courageous individuals who saw a need and gave their lives for others--in the process of putting my program together, I discovered that,thanks to Project Canterbury, there's a contemporary accounting of their 1878 experience, complete with excerpts from diaries, etc. online: https://anglicanhistory.org/usa/csm/memphis1.html
Check it out and then vote for the Martyrs of Memphis!
Today I’m voting Constance and her companions. Faithfulness that holds together under pressure, the kind of courage that keeps showing up.
Shout out to Bekah! I lived at SFH in the late 1970's. My husband & I were married there in 1981. <3
My parents met there in 1939. We held their joint memorial service there in 2010. I worshipped there through high school and even after I was married. Bekah is bringing back loads of memories.
I was born and raised about 20 mi from Madison. Have been to SFH many times! However, Constance and her friends get my vote today. I just cannot forget the courage and compassion it took to stay that course!
I decided to vote for Constance. I am sure she is the underdog and I like the lack of kitsch.
No!
Well the kitsch for Peter wins hands down, but Peter is well known and loved. My vote does to Constance and her companions, for their selflessness and sacrifice, and for our new Archbishop whose first calling was as a nurse.
I voted for Saint Peter even though I think Constance and all deserve a Golden Halo at some point. I will always vote for one who was there, actually there with Jesus ❤️
That's never been the point. They are already beyond our blessing hanging seen the Lord.
Love the Tiny Saint Peter! Too much fun! I also appreciate the charity suggestions. Constance and her companions are certainly worthy of praise and commendation. However, Peter is a constant reminder and model of following Jesus. Despite his blunders, Jesus and the Holy Spirit continue to guide him and mold him and Peter allows himself to be changed.
I had not voted for Peter. I always voted for Constance and her Companions. However, the last paragraph saying how God walks with us no matter our mistakes or our storms resonated with me. I have been going through a lot of hurt. So Peter got my vote.
My votes this year have not gone to many of them winners. It has always been what they said or did that made me vote for them. Your bloggers are amazing.
Very persuasive. But you can always donate to the Peter causes, should you vote for Memphis
I love feckless Peter, always getting it wrong before he gets it right - but I don't feel like he needs a promo from Lent Madness, I'm all about the saints with whom I haven't already spent my whole life. Had to go with Constance and her Companions this morning.
Exactly. Peter is already well known and adored. The example of Constance and her crew needs to be better known. Plus our grandson has just been admitted to nursing school! You could pray for him!
Thank you, Bekah, for mentioning saint-inspired charities. I vote this becomes a standard addition to our hagiography.
Second that! A terrific addition to the kitsch round, and so timely today.
CONSTANCE!
Gobble gobble!
I've been missing the music which used to follow "Happy Lent" on the Monday Lent Madness of previous years.
I love the feckless Peter, but the heroism during the pandemic is still to fresh in my mind. Constance it is.
Vote Peter he is amazing, vote Peter!
Oh, this one is hard! I have voted for both all the way. I like the addition of charities and I'm looking into if the Seamans group will accept the crochet scarves I've made.
Peter, beloved not despite his mistakes and weaknesses in his great faith, but because of how we can all relate to them.
Constance & friends whose faith in action brought comfort and care to the suffering.
Still thinking...
Come on & let’s get one lady to the Faithful Four & the Golden Halo!! Constance has the spiritual staying power!! Bring the Gold to Memphis!
I can't believe Peter is the underdog here!
I love Peter. He's headstrong, stubborn, doesn't get the point half the time, he betrays Jesus --more than once!-- and in many ways I feel I am just like him. And yet "on this rock . . ." Yes, Jesus uses our imperfect, fallible, unreliable selves to build his perfect, unfailing, eternal reign of love. Peter is the icon of this for me and I vote for him. Won't you too?
While I can definitely relate to Peter, I have to go with Constance and the Martyrs of Memphis with family members who died in those yellow fever epidemics in Memphis.
Blessings and Hope Always!
When I first came to the Episcopal Church in rural Vermont. A heroine of our congregation asked me if I could knit. Yes we were knitting the scarves for The Seamans Institute and a few yesr kater was mentored in a healing ministry by the retired head os said institute. Peter gets my vote today.
Is this a case of putting a professional in amongst the amateurs ... ? LOL!!
Hi Susan! Hear, hear. It's hard to imagine Christianity having survived if there had never been a Pope. They've done a mix of good and ill for sure, but Christianity with no Peter... we just wouldn't have had a place to start.
Today, I went for the more timely (contemporary Saint(s)). Though the argument was compelling (I will donate to the GF Offering on GF this year), my heart decided on the Constance. Women's history month and all...and St. Peter gets all the attention.
I am voting for Constance and Her Companions because of their courageous and loving sacrifice, and because in very real ways they are our neighbors (and I live in VT, so I mean that broadly).
But I must give a shout out to Bekah Scholare for her thoughtful inclusion of ways to honor the saints' work through donations and the blessing that has made my day: "You are loved - no matter your mistakes or successes. God walks with you through every storm, over every mountain, on every long road. May grace and peace be yours in abundance"
This one was really hard for me. They seem to belong in two completely different categories - it's like choosing between the MVP of a baseball league against the winner of a piano competition.
The pairings do seem to be more dissimilar. It can be so hard to choose. But then I remember how much on the job training I received from nurses, and ho amazingly patient they can be, even after double shifts. Nurses train doctors, and do a lot of other things they are rarely given credit for.