And then there were eight. Thus begins the Elate Eight and the mad dash towards the Lent Madness 2024 Golden Halo. The remaining saints in our little competition are Albert Schweitzer, Cornelius the Centurion, Henry Whipple (who yesterday defeated Clare of Assisi 57% to 43%), Canaire, Joseph of Arimathea, Julian of Norwich, Ambrose of Milan, and Andrew the Fisherman. But in the end, only one will prevail. 

After basic biographies and quirks and quotes, we now move into the realm of saintly kitsch. Some people, known as Kitsch Kranks, are unable to enjoy the humor of this round. But for the rest of you, enjoy a whimsical romp into the various ways our saints are honored. Or just hold your breath and click on the links below to view the writeups from the previous rounds, and we’ll see you for the Faithful Four.

We kick things off with Albert Schweitzer taking on Cornelius the Centurion in a battle of the ancient and modern. To get to this point, Albert bested Henry Mühlenberg and Thomas the Apostle, while Cornelius made it past Piran of Cornwell and Adomnan of Iona.

If you missed yesterday's Elate Eight edition of Monday Madness, do penance. And then watch it here as Tim and Scott share the Greatest Commandments of Lent Madness.

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It's time for the round everyone* has been looking forward to: the Elate Eight aka The Round of Saintly Kitsch. Tim and Scott are back to preview the coming contests, as the field narrows and the stakes get higher.

*Not everyone loves this round. As we move from basic biographical sketches in the Round of 32 and then the Quirks & Quotes of the Saintly Sixteen, we come to the always-remarkable displays of saintly kitsch in the Elate Eight. Some people, whom we have dubbed Kitsch Kranks, find this to be unhelpful or even irreverent. The Supreme Executive Committee reminds everyone of the Lent Madness Great Commandments, which might help you weather the next round.

While they didn't mention it in the video, the powers-that-be of Lent Madness would also like to remind you to go to church in Holy Week. A lot! All joking aside, the Holy Week liturgies take us to the very center of our faith. Hope to see you in church. Over and over and over again.

Welcome to the final matchup of the Saintly Sixteen, as Clare of Assisi takes on Henry Whipple. With seven tickets punched for the Elate Eight, Clare and Henry are competing for the last available spot.

On Friday, Julian of Norwich trounced Zita 82% to 18%. She'll face Joseph of Arimathea in the next round.

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TGIF! We conclude this week of Saintly Sixteen action with Zita vs. Julian of Norwich for a shot at Joseph of Arimathea in the Elate Eight.

Yesterday, Ambrose of Milan took down Gertrude the Great 64% to 36%. It'll be Ambrose vs. Andrew in the next round.

The Saintly Sixteen will conclude on Monday as Clare of Assisi takes on Henry Whipple. And then it will be on to everyone's favorite (or not) round, the round of Saintly Kitsch. But more about that later.

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Today in Lent Madness action, it's Ambrose of Milan vs. Gertrude the Great. 4th century Italian bishop and theologian vs. 13th century German nun and spiritual writer.

Yesterday, Cornelius the Centurion sent Adomnan of Iona to a "thin place" 59% to 41% to advance to the Elate Eight.

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Only in Lent Madness will you encounter a 7th century Irish monk doing battle with Biblical Roman soldier. But here we are, as Adomnan of Iona takes on Cornelius the Centurion for a shot at the Elate Eight.

Yesterday, Canaire flew past Cyprian of Carthage 60% to 40%.

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Happy Tuesday! Today's it's an impromptu Battle of the Cs as Canaire faces Cyprian of Carthage. What type of C Change will this elicit in the bracket? We have no idea.

Yesterday, in one of the tighter contests of Lent Madness XV to date, Joseph of Arimathea snuck past Kassia 52% to 48% to advance to the Elate Eight.

Also, yesterday, Tim and Scott rued yet another Oscar's snub in this week's scintillating episode of Monday Madness.

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It's time to roll out the purple carpet as the Academy Lent Madness Global Viewing public tunes in to this week's episode of Monday Madness. Tim and Scott are back this week, still reeling from their annual snub at the Oscars. Maybe it's time for the Academy to add new categories, such as "Best Video from an Online Lenten Devotional by Episcopalians" or perhaps "Best Split-Screen YouTube Series Running More than Ten Seasons."

Tim and Scott are pleased to answer viewer mail this week. If you want to have YOUR question answered, please leave a comment on the Lent Madness website, and the SEC will possibly answer your question.

And in the meantime, enjoy this FULL WEEK of Saintly Sixteen action that extends before you.

Happy Monday! We begin a full week of Saintly Sixteen action as Kassia squares off against Joseph of Arimathea. Who will come out smelling like…myrrh? That’s up to the Lent Madness voting public.

On Friday, Andrew the Fisherman advanced to the Elate Eight by defeating Hyacinth 55% to 45%.

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We wind up another full week of Lent Madness action with Hyacinth squaring off against Andrew the Fisherman for a shot at the Elate Eight.

Yesterday, Albert Schweitzer removed any doubts as he defeated Thomas the Apostle 60% to 40%.

By the way, if you're looking to refresh your memory by re-reading the first round write-ups, just go to the bracket tab, and scroll down. Underneath the bracket you'll find links to all the previous battles.

We hope everyone has a full and faithful weekend, and we'll see you bright and early Monday morning as Kassia faces Joseph of Arimathea.

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