🔥 The final matchup of the Elate Eight is here 🔥
And it does not get more blessed than this.

Under the banner of ora et labora, the man who taught the world how to monk, the one who has taken down two greats… it is Benedict of Nursia ⛪

But standing in his way is a saint of service. Under the banner of “for our lords the sick and the poor,” a model of care for all people regardless of background or creed. Having already taken down two monastics, he is going for a third… Blessed Gerard ✝️

A Benedictine medallion vs a Maltese cross
A rule of life vs a life of service
Two incredible saints, both bringing elite level kitsch.

You cannot go wrong… but only one can claim the final spot in the Faithful Four 👀

And they will join Constance and her companions, who marched into the next round like the ducks at the Peabody Hotel 🦆 (look it up trust us!) winning 61.23% to 38.77 over Peter

Watch the video, read the blogs, and VOTE 🗳️

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🎤 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 🗳️

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🔥 This is the ELATE 8 🔥 Join Fr. Christian and Fr. Michael for a full breakdown of our final rounds, crown new Canons of Comments, and lift up how these saints have transformed our faith.

The Elate 8 is all about SWAG. We have read the bios. We have heard the legends. Now it is time to see what kind of kitsch and merch these saints bring to the table.

First matchup of the round…

The denominator of denominations. The man who froze Wesley’s warmed heart and kicked the stool out from Richard Hooker… it is MARTIN LUTHER.

But he faces his toughest challenge yet.

Noah had the ark, but Joan has been sailing through this bracket. She sent Marina the Monk packing, put Nino on the midnight train back to Georgia, and now the pride of Orléans steps into another divine showdown… JOAN OF ARC.

Two giants. One spot in the Faithful Four. The Elate Eight is fully set after Constance and Her Companions sent Cosmas and Damian to Graceland, 82.49% to 17.51%. Will the Martyrs of Memphis make it onto the faithful four with either Joan of Arc or Martin Luther?

Watch the video, read the blogs, maybe even grab some merch… and VOTE.

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Welcome to the last battle of the week, the last matchup of the Elate Eight, and the last full week of Lent Madness 2025! Today, Philip, Deacon and Evangelist faces Nicolaus Zinzendorf as they seek to join Zechariah, Sundar Singh, and Elizabeth of Hungary in the Faithful Four.

Yes, you heard that correctly, Elizabeth of Hungary won her contest yesterday with Verena of Zurzach 67% to 33% to snag the final spot in the next round.

So, the Faithful Four is Set. On Monday, Zechariah faces Elizabeth of Hungary; on Tuesday, Sundar Singh squares off against the winner of today's matchup. And then all will be set for Spy Wednesday's  Championship Round.

But first, here's your Daily Lenten Showdown...

Vote now!

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The Elate Eight continues with reckless abandon as Elizabeth of Hungary takes on Verena of Zurzach.

Yesterday, in a VERY TIGHT battle that saw back-and-forth lead changes all day, Sundar Singh prevailed over Emily Cooper 51% to 49% to advance to the Faithful Four. Yes, folks, every (single!) vote counts.

Here's your Daily Lenten Showdown...

Vote now!

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Next up in the Elate Eight is the highly anticipated matchup between two modern saints, Emily Cooper and Sundar Singh. Good luck choosing between these two!

Yesterday, Zechariah narrowly defeated Irenaeus 52% to 48% to snag the first spot in the Faithful Four.

Here's your Daily Lenten Showdown...

Vote now!

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And then there were eight! Welcome, friends, to the Elate Eight. We've moved from 32 to 16 to 8 saints still standing. Or kneeling. But either way, today it's Irenaeus vs. Zechariah, tomorrow Sundhar Singh faces Emily Cooper, on Thursday Elizabeth of Hungary battles Verena of Zurzach, and we round things out on Friday with Philip vs. Nicolaus Zizendorf (who advanced yesterday after defeating Francis Xavier 56% to 44%).

The Elate Eight is also known as the Round of Saintly Kitsch. After basic biographies, quirks and quotes, what else could there be? Now, there are always some folks who take offense at this approach — we call them Kitsch Kranks. Please remember that this round is not meant to belittle or demean our saintly heroes, but to have some fun and gaze in wide wonder at the breadth of devotional practice. So kindly relax and enjoy the spirit of the Madness as we push ever onward toward our goal.

And if you'd find it helpful to review the write-ups from the previous rounds, you can always click the Bracket tab and scroll down to find all the earlier matchups.

Here's your Daily Saintly Showdown with Christian and Michael...

Vote now!

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With three out of the four saints set, today we’ll complete the Faithful Four as Julian of Norwich takes on Jospeh of Arimathea. To make it this far, Joseph zipped past Lazarus and Kassia, while Julian beat Brigid of Kildare and Zita. 

Yesterday Henry Whipple edged Canaire 52% to 48% to advance to the next round.

After today’s vote, we’ll take a collective breath over the weekend to wave palms and hear the Passion Gospel on Sunday. And then next week will bring a fast and furious culmination to Lent Madness XV.

Vote now!

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The Round of Saintly Kitsch continues as Henry Whipple takes on Canaire for a shot at the Faithful Four. To get here, Henry defeated Jackson Kemper and Clare of Assisi, while Canaire made it past Barbara and Cyprian of Carthage.

Yesterday, Andrew the Fisherman hooked Ambrose of Milan 82% to 18% to make it to the next round.

Vote now!

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