We’ve almost made it through yet another week of heart-stopping, saintly thrills and spills. Two more votes to cast before we’re given a chance to catch our collective breaths/suffer from the weekend malaise that is LMW (Lent Madness Withdrawal).
After today’s matchup, only two battles remain in the Round of the Saintly Sixteen. Tomorrow Bernard Mizeki will face Jackson Kemper and on Monday it’s Egeria vs. Thomas Ken. Then it’s on to the Elate Eight!
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s focus on a tricky pairing between a beloved Irish saint and a bishop who served amid the trials of persecution. Brigid of Kildare faces Dionysius the Great as we continue to get to know our saintly souls through Quirks and Quotes.
Yesterday, Francis of Assisi trounced Cecilia 69% to 31% and will face off against Thecla in the next round.
Brigid of Kildare
Brigid is the most-beloved Irish saint, alongside Patrick, in the hearts of the Irish people.
Known as Mary of the Gael, she is said to have miraculous powers over beer: both changing a bathtub full of water to beer to feed a starving family, and causing a single barrel of her monastery’s brew to last from Christmas straight through to Pentecost.
However, she didn’t limit her exploits to mass beer production — Brigid was a shrewd leader as well. Her double monastery was the first of its kind. When she went to the king, to request land to build her abbey, she explained that she had just the right spot picked out: it had trees, access to water, good for building, a lovely view, etc. The king flatly refused. Undeterred, Brigid suggested the king give to her just enough land as her cloak covered. The king, eyeing the small garment wrapped around her shoulders, shrugged and agreed. Brigid spread out her cloak, handing each corner to a different nun, and they started walked in opposite directions. Suddenly, the cloak grew larger and larger, until the king, annoyed, threw up his hands, and gave her the original parcel she had wanted. The idea of Brigid’s cloak became very important, and to this day, a popular Irish blessing asks for St. Brigid to shelter you under her cloak.
On a slightly more practical note, when St. Mel of Armaugh performed her installation as abbess of Kildare, he reported seeing a column of fire descend from the heavens and alight upon Brigid’s head. This vision convinced him, on the spur of the moment to just go ahead and ordain her a bishop. (Columns of fire from heaven are not to be trifled with). Vision or no, Brigid is considered by many to be the first functioning female bishop, and is depicted holding a bishop’s crozier in many icons.
Her ministry, in Kildare and beyond, was based on translating the incoming Christian faith into the language of the people’s traditional customs and practices, until it became something they could relate to.
The monastery at Kildare was founded on a site that had been traditionally used for Druid worship of a pagan goddess. Worship of this goddess involved the kindling and tending of an eternal flame. Once Brigid decided to set up her monastery there, she elected to continue to let the flame burn — only she explained it as the light of Christ, shining in the world, and coming to Ireland to bring wisdom, peace, and justice. Each day, a different nun would tend the light, and on the 20th day, Brigid herself took a turn. So the flame burned continuously, as it had in pre-Christian days, until Henry VIII destroyed the monasteries.
However, in 1993, the order Brigid founded relit the flame in Kildare, and it is again shining continuously as a beacon of Christ’s love in Ireland.
Dionysius the Great
Dionysius the Great, as he would come to be called, was an agent of reconciliation in a time of heated dispute. As Bishop of Alexandria, the chief episcopal see in the third century, Dionysius saw his flock subjected to the horrors of the Decian persecutions and is remembered especially for his role in the question of how to treat those Christians who had lapsed during the persecutions.
Many fled Alexandria seeking safety, others went to their reward loyal to the faith, and yet others gave in to the pressures of the Roman Empire and apostatized. Dionysius himself was furious when he was not allowed to go to his martyrdom after he was kidnapped by supporters who could not bear to see him become a victim.
Once the persecutions came to an end, there were many who were of the opinion that there was no possibility for re-admission to Communion and the Church after such apostasies. Dionysius, however, offered a way toward reconciliation. He said that, after a period of penance and without re-baptism, those who had succumbed to pressure should be welcomed back. He wrote, “Let us then not repel those who return, but gladly welcome them and number them with those who have not strayed…”
He said of those who would bar those who apostatized from the Communion of the Church that they had “introduced the most unholy teaching about God and accuse the most gracious Jesus Christ our Lord of being without pity.”
Dionysius reinforced the teaching that the Sacraments of the Church are of Divine origin and that the flawed nature of the Church’s ministers does not undermine their efficacy. He combated with great vigor those who maintained that if a heretic baptized an individual then said Baptism might be considered invalid. Dionysius taught that Baptism in the name of the Trinity should always be regarded as valid no matter the failings of the minister.
Dionysius maintained a moderate tone and appealed to scripture, tradition, and reason in holding that the unity of the Church rests on the validity of her Sacraments despite the flaws, divisions, and animosities of the Church.
One man who had taken in with heretics for a time came to Dionysius full of contrition and afraid to receive Communion without being re-baptized. About this Dionysius wrote, “For as he had heard the Giving of Thanks (Eucharist), and joined in saying the Amen, and stood at the Table, and stretched forth his hands to receive the holy Food, and had taken it and partaken of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for a considerable period, I should not venture to put him back to the beginning once more.”
Dionysius was a writer, thinker, and teacher who, at a time of bitter controversy, labored for the unity of the Church and rested his hope on the mercy and charity of Christ.
Vote!
Brigid of Kildare vs. Dionysius the Great
- Brigid of Kildare (63%, 3,714 Votes)
- Dionysius the Great (37%, 2,152 Votes)
Total Voters: 5,866
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Anyone who can change a bathtub full of water into beer has my vote:)
Me too
In our society today with its excesses of alcohol abuse, how can you say this!
But she’s Irish! Beer’s important. 🙂
The beer was for nourishment, not for intoxication. We’re talking about a hearty dark ale, not Bud Lite. But I see Carl’s point.
The water was not always drinkable then this was a good source of liquid still is and its full of vitamins too
In Germany beer is considered a food item and thus not taxable!
lol
I think that I need to go to that bathtub. Lol
Generally I’m into cabernet, but when I go to Murphy’s pub I order a Guinness. I’ll bet an Italian saint would have changed the bathtub into wine.
Anthony, when I first became an Episcopalian, after the rigors of singing all of Holy Week, Easter Vigil, and two services Sunday morning, we retired to the choir master’s house where everyone brought a bottle of champagne to be iced down in his bathtub–with mimosas to follow. After having been a teetotalling Methodist, this was a wonder indeed!
Tough choice! I weighed the pros and cons of each. What finally compelled me to vote for Bridget was she was an early female bishop, her legacy continues, and this is St. Patrick’s Day week! Bells of Ireland, blue flags (iris, no yellow to be had around here), and white ranunculus decorate my dining room with Irish colors this week.
A bathtub full of beer and a column of fire on her head … how could I resist Brigid?
I’m mostly Irish. That explains it all.
We could certainly use Dionysius today. Flaws in the ministers, diversities in teachings, etc.
I agree with you, Cynthia, that we need Dionysius today, but I can’t not vote for an early woman bishop. Difficult choice.
Bathtubs of beer notwithstanding, we need forgiveness and reconciliation now more than ever. Dionysus gets my vote.
Well said.
Had to vote for Dionysius for his love and compassion, but will lift a Killian’s Irish Red this evening in honor of Brigid.
Compassion, mercy and love…Dionysius life speaks volumes
How can you not love this man: “He said of those who would bar those who apostatized from the Communion of the Church that they had ‘introduced the most unholy teaching about God and accuse the most gracious Jesus Christ our Lord of being without pity.'”
My guess is Brigid will win, but I went with someone who had so much compassion for those who strayed.
I agree! As well, Dionysius helped establish and keep doctrine that has lasted through the centuries.
I agree, too!
Yes, I broke with my standard practice of going with the female contestant. It was not easy, as I am Irish and Brigid was the first female Bishop AND could turn water into beer! I found that I had to go with Dionysius, however, for his qualities of compassion and mercy. The decisions get harder as we progress through the competition!
Agreed! Dionysius for the win! Showing God’s love and forgiveness in a time of trial that most of us can’t comprehend does it for me!
I voted for Dionysius, as he left a lasting effect on the whole Anglican communion. But it was a really tough choice today.
John
I am voting for anyone is poor and didn’t have a family. That’s why I voted for brigid.
Good for you, Oliver. I like your thinking. But I do have to tell you I liked Dionysius’ looking for reconciliation in the church so I voted for him.
I always welcome your thoughts, Oliver!
There is another type of reconciliation as well – reconciliation between the old Goddess and traditions of the Irish, and the new God and customs of the Christians. St. Brigid shows this type of reconciliation. For that, and the fact that she was an early bishop, I had to desert the well-deserving Dionysius, and vote for Brigid.
Keep voting Oliver !!
Thank you, Oliver. I never vote until I see what you’ve said. And today, it’s Brigid for me, too.
Tomorrow I will vote for Jackson kemper. Because he was strong and his father was friend with George washington. I think he looks sad.
I’m voting for Jackson Kemper, too, Oliver. I went to a school named for him, that’s why I’m voting for him.
Me too, Oliver! Thank you for sharing your thoughts every day.
“On Monday Bernard Mizeki will face Jackson Kemper and on Tuesday it’s Egeria vs. Thomas Ken. Then it’s on to the Elate Eight!”
Something change or has the SEC eliminated Friday… or is this Friday and I missed something?
Yes, one member of the SEC is clearly delusional. That would be me. Duly edited.
Don’t worry. I think many of us wake up on Thursday and wish it was Friday!
Or was the omission a dastardly conspiracy among those backing the two who will face off tomorrow to evade Friday’s voting and make the Third Round of Kitsch the Noble Nine rather than the Elate Eight?
It’s 9am Friday morning where I am…. no problem.
Alas as much as I might enjoy a “bathtub full of beer” I would still wake up to the challenges that were facing before I encounter the beer. I think a leader who was a writer, thinker, and teacher who, at a time of bitter controversy, labored for the unity of the Church and rested his hope on the mercy and charity of Christ. Does better than BEER!
Well stated!
As much as I admire Dionysius, I had to go with Brigid. My Irish heritage certainly had some influence, but her role stands as a model to men as well as women, and her legacy has definitely empowered so many who came after her to be the light of Christ.
St. Brigid is my mom’s patron saint. Also, bathtub of beer.
My vote is for Brigid! I was moved by the fact that she worked on “translating the incoming Christian faith into the language of the people’s traditional customs and practices, until it became something they could relate to.”
That’s the line that swayed me!
No difficulty in choosing a forgiving and unifying saint – not to mention ” Great”.
Welcoming back heretics gets this Unitarian’s vote for Dionysius!
This is a tough one and as much as I want to vote for Bridged I must pull the lever for Dionysus. In a broken and troubling world now more than ever we need unity of the church based on the mercy and charity of Christ.
It’s probably cheating, but on difficult choices (like this one), I check to see who’s winning and then vote for the other saint. Don’t care who wins, but I want it to be close, in the end.
My Brigid’s cross is above my doorway, protecting my home from harm, and especially from fire.
While beer is important, I have to vote for reconciliation – Dionysius gets my vote.
Voted for Brigid as my grand-dog’s name is Brigid . She is an Irish Wolfhound. My son-law also brews his own beer, so how could I resist.
My brain hurts. Am having a very tough time sorting this one out. Need to think some more and read some more comments. I love Brigid for being a woman leader and reaching out to people in ways that they could understand and I love Dionysius for reconciliation and renewal. This is HAAAARRRD!
I was born on Saint Brigids day, so I fee compelled to vote for her. Hats off to Dionysius and his divinely inspired rationality. Who knows where we’d be and how we’d be worshipping if it weren’t for both of them!
I was all set to vote for the woman bishop. We should indeed not trifle with columns of fire! But a Christian leader who advocates for the unity of the church, who implores moderation and reminds us to attend to scripture, tradition, and reason, who insists that our Sacraments are efficacious by the strength of God’s grace and power alone, and who rests his hope on the mercy and charity of Christ…? Would that we had more leaders of that caliber now. I want to vote for Brigid, but I think Dionysius may win my vote today.
What a difficult day! First my Friday has disappeared, then I must decide between a determined compassionate early female bishop (and how could the Catholic church not approve the ordination of women!) who brought Christianity and sanity to so many versus a determined, compassionate male bishop who preached reconciliation of the erring sheep to God, the imperfection of the church and its earthly ministers. and the ultimate perfection and mercy of God! With love for Brigid and her story, I must cast my vote for Dionysius!
The light of Christ shining in the world! Brigid for the Golden Halo!
I love Dionysus, voted for and defended in the first round but today is really very easy.
My Irish heart is with Brigid, who understood that you have to reach people where they are, not where you want them to be; but I voted for Dionysius the Great, reconciler.
My grandfather was John Joseph Michael Sweeney (or Jesus, Joseph, and Mary he used to tell us as kids) so no problem guessing where my vote went.
Come on now, how could I not vote for the first female Bishop and the celebration of the divine feminine?? Although I do think Episcopalians need to be doing some soul searching about the glorification of alcoholic beverages (but ok, the bath tub beer was cool!). In other match ups Dionysus would have been my choice.
I love Brigid’s story but I recognized Dionysius’s work from the Niceness Creed and the Articles of Religion. Today’s vote was not easy.
I think that you might win the Best Auto-Correct Freudian Slip of all time. ::applauds for the Niceness Creed::
I did wonder if it was Spell check or if indeed there is somewhere in the Annals of Time a Niceness Creed. Doesn’t sound sound such a bad idea especially for a Reconciler.
I wondered about that, too!
Oh what a hard choice. It’s taken centuries to consecrate the first woman to the episcopate in England so really inclined to vote for Brigid, but… Dionysius won me over through his commitment not just to preach reconciliation but to work for it, for his appeal to scripture, tradition and reason (a proto Anglican 🙂 ) and for his belief in the validity of the sacraments and the unfailing generosity, mercy and love of God in spite of an all too flawed church. We need his like today.
My heart to Brigid, my head to Dionysius. I am torn in half by this choice.
Ok I finally have to write. I would have preferred some more modern day stories of Saints this year then the “lore” that was chosen (Although the seal fable was great!) Just a thought. Stephanie
I have to vote for the saint who argued that the efficacy of the sacrament rests with the Holy Spirit and not the clergy performing the ceremony – we all have times when we don’t agree with our clergy, or their decisions, and the work that Dionysus accomplished is needed. How do we welcome back those who have gone off into splinter churches, and now regret the move – with the rejoicing of the angels over the 1 who was found, over the 99 who did not stray.
Not to mention the Prodigal Son. Hard choice, but I go for reconciliation, even though water from Bridgit’s well sits in my home.
The bath tub of beer, the burning light, + the ever expanding cloak, and the beer that never ran out, certainly helped me to go for Brigid. Keep up the great work here
I’m a home brewer and so was all set to vote for Brigid, but Dionysius’ bio swayed me. I admire how he exemplifies God’s mercy and worked for unity in love.
Continuing my practice of voting for the underdog, I cast my vote for Dionysius: for standing for the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation no matter how bad the sin and for affirming that the grace of the sacraments does not depend on the holiness or worthiness of the person performing it – both of which are a great comfort to this sinner!
As much as an Anglican vote for Brigid might compensate for Henry’s destroying the Abbey, I’ve got to go with Dionysus for his unifying attitude. But it seems a losing battle.
I am torn. My heart is with beer and a big cloak, and I love to see women succeed. However, as an active Methodist, I heed Wesley’s sermons against strong drink, and the kinship of deciding by scripture, tradition (Wesleyan witnesses) and reason. In this case, the open mind overrules the open heart. I go with the Greek.
Anyone who appeals to scripture, tradition, and reason for insights gets my vote. John Wesley used these three and added “experience” as guidelines for discernment.
Dionysius gets my vote.
Brigid’s story reads like a good Irish tale! A little fanciful, but with a twinkle in the eye …. This 1/4 Irishman has to vote for the Irish Saint!
An Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Let them drink beer! How about a little corned beef and colcannon to go with that…maybe some apple juice for the minors. First woman bishop sealed the deal, though the latex cloak was pretty impressive.
I loved Brigid, but Dionysius was great. He should be around today!
I loved Brigid’s story, but my vote went to the reconciler – the world/churches could use him again.
In honor of David and Micky’s daughter I cast my vote for Bridgid! (And my Irish husband
When your last name means “Son of a servent of St. Brigid” (sometimes called St. Bride) you really have no choice!
Brigid all the way! Born a slave, sold because she wasn’t a boy, returned to irritate her father by giving away his stuff, freed by the king, bought her mother’s freedom, founded a monastery, became a bishop under holy fire, not a beer drinker so don’t care about that but love milk so cows that gave 3 times a day is impressive.
Did anyone else notice that the first bio on Dionysius said “after a period of penance and re-baptism, those who had succumbed to pressure would be welcomed back into the Church” and today’s said “after a period of penance and without re-baptism, those who had succumbed to pressure should be welcomed back. He wrote, “Let us then not repel those who return, but gladly welcome them and number them with those who have not strayed…” Just curious, which is it?
Dionysius did not tell people to be rebaptized. He asked Pope Stephen not to punish religious leaders who rebaptized people.
There’s a Catholic Encyclopedia that explains this distinction, but in a muddled way that might cause confusion:
“Dionysius was far from teaching, like Cyprian, that baptism by a heretic rather befouls than cleanses; but he was impressed by the opinion of many bishops and some councils that repetition of such a baptism was necessary, and it appears that he besought Pope Stephen not to break off communion with the Churches of Asia on this account.”
Catholic Encyclopedia – “Dionysius of Alexandria”
www. newadvent. org /cathen/05011a.htm
A secular source is clearer on the issue:
“Engaged in the bitter controversy over baptism performed by heretics, Dionysius did not insist on rebaptizing converts who had received heretical baptism, but he recognized the right of communities to rebaptize if they preferred.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica – “Saint Dionysius of Alexandria”
www. britannica. com /EBchecked/topic/164246/Saint-Dionysius-of-Alexandria
Brigid, in honor of all the strong minded nuns who get amazing things done thanks to the invisible column of fire from heaven over their heads.
Amen!
In the world’s current great need for reconciliation, I realize that Dionysus should probably get my vote, but I’m an Irish musician and just survived my St Paddy’s Day gigs. One of Brigid’s teachings promised that heaven had a lake of beer! My vote goes with my profession – which makes up for yesterday’s match up where I had to vote my conscious (Francis) over my profession 🙂
I am loving the beautiful artwork everyday.
I fully intended to vote for Brigid because she did so many amazing things in a time when women were second-class citizens (and the whole beer in the bathtub thing), but what Dionysius did is so pertinent today, I had to vote for him. These votes are not going to get any easier as we move on to the Elite Eight!
I like the idea of monasteries for both sexes, and the idea of a female bishop early in the Church’s history. Nevertheless, this Miserable Offender casts her vote for Dionysius for his stance on readmitting other M.O.s to the Church. “Forgive seventy times seven,” our Lord said, and Dionysius heard and obeyed.
So much was at stake for Dionysius and his flock. I voted for him because he kept God’s grace front and center, had the wisdom to be a compassionate leader, and set an important example for other Christians.
I soooo wanted to vote for Brigid because of my 100% Irish roots, but on both a micro and a macro level we need healing of divisions. So Dionysius it is! Even though women bishops are very cool.
You know, my brackets this year are collapsing before my eyes. Last year I voted with my head – this year I’m voting with my heart. Hmmm….Dionysius for me today.
I admire Brigid, though what would I ever do with a bathtub of beer? She almost had me at “first woman bishop” but then I read Dionysius’ bio and encountered three of the four sides of the “Methodist Quadrilateral” of discernment–scripture, tradition, reason, and experience–which is part of our heritage from John Wesley. That, and the comforting words about the efficacy of Sacraments despite the imperfection of the celebrant (very important for us clergy to remember–though we strive to be “going on to perfection” we know how far from it we are!) and his insistence on reconciliation, which we need so desperately today, lead me to vote for Dionysius.
This was possibly one of the most difficult choices yet, for me. I’m fascinated to watch this one play out.
For his work to readmit the “offenders” to communion…Dionysius the Great.
I’m so glad that it is clarified that Dionysius did NOT require re-baptism of the repentant. I thought that sounded wrong when it said he did in the first round bio. So glad that is corrected here. His leadership in the early church set the standard for future ages! Talk about best practices!! Where would we be if it hadn’t been for him? And, as others have said, we could benefit from one of his caliber today!
And Brigid!! A woman! Great leadership skills! A bishop! With a heart for nurturing her people. I love her and all things Celtic. I especially love her Icon today with her cloak spread out and becoming the green fields of Ireland. I think her cloak now covers the world as the Irish heritage has gifted so many parts of it. I also love the image of her cloak covering and comforting me.
I’m going with the first functioning female Bishop.
Easy peasy choice. Go Brig!
Does Rome know about this female bishop?
I have to support the female bishop.
BRIGID OF IRELAND » SAINT BRIGID’S PRAYER
SAINT BRIGID’S PRAYER
(10th century Poem attributed to Brigid herself)
I’d like to give a lake of beer to God.
I’d love the heavenly
Host to be tippling there
For all eternity.
I’d love the men of Heaven to live with me,
To dance and sing.
If they wanted, I’d put at their disposal
Vats of suffering.
White cups of love I’d give them
With a heart and a half;
Sweet pitchers of mercy I’d offer
To every man.
I’d make Heaven a cheerful spot
Because the happy heart is true.
I’d make the men contented for their own sake.
I’d like Jesus to love me too.
I’d like the people of heaven to gather
From all the parishes around.
I’d give a special welcome to the women,
The three Marys of great renown.
I’d sit with the men, the women and God
There by the lake of beer.
We’d be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.
LOL! There’s no way an abbess wrote that!
🙂
wonderful!!
No kidding, Margaret! I am struggling with these two wonderful folks from antiquity today. What to do, what to do!! Oliver, I need some 7-year-old wisdom!
I voted for both in the first round so it’ll be hard to see either of them defeated in this round. I love Brigid for translating the faith so the people could relate and I love Dionysius for the reconciliation work. So I am voting for Brigid because you have to have a faith first. Perhaps I will wear a cape today.
Dionysius sought reconciliation. Brigid won personal freedom through serving God.
The history of each is fascinating, but Brigid wins my vote today.
How to make St. Brigid’s cross:
Thank you so much for the video. Just watching it this morning felt like an act of devotion to this Mc-.
lovely thanks Kim !
Thanks for that video!
Many people commented yesterday on the research going into St. Cecilia’s Quirks and Quotes. But I’d like to commend Megan Castellan today for a simply beautiful discourse on St. Brigid.
I thought both CBs did a great job today ~ I loved what Megan wrote & was also impressed that Robert read the comments from the first round and filled in the blanks! Great work!
As much as I liked Brigid, the idea of reconciliation is so important today. Dionysius got my vote.
Great story behind each, but the Beer won me over
Despite having an active group of beer makers (the Hebrews) in our church…literally brewing in the church…Dionysious wins my vote for being willing to stand up for reconciliation and love when then as now it seems so much easier to condemn and exclude. However, it is nice to know our brewers have a woman for their patron saint!
Gotta support perhaps the original female bishop. It’s taken a while to get back to the beginning. Voting for Brigid in honor of my friend, the Rt. Reverend Diane Jardine Bruce in the diocese of Los Angeles.
This was easy…a bunch of myths and legends versus a real person dealing with real issues. Dionysius words and actions are still guidelines for the Church today. Even a lake of beer wouldn’t last that long – especially in Ireland. Dionysius deserves to be The Great among The Elate!
Kim, I’m still undecided, but I’ve just got to ask–how do you know whether or not Brigid was a real person?
There are those who argue St. Brigid is just a Christianization of the Irish goddess of the same name. I personally believe she is real, even if several of the legends associated with her are not, though I’m highly biased.
Now this is a tough one. A saint who is obviously filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and one who practices ultimate forgiveness, and is truly right that we ministers can and do fail administering God’s Word and Sacraments. Not sure I can chose today.
Busting my own bracket again! Have to go with “a writer, thinker, and teacher who, at a time of bitter controversy, labored for the unity of the Church and rested his hope on the mercy and charity of Christ.”
I blame the Sub-Dean.
Since I’m Irish and a woman, I felt that I must vote for St. Brigid, but from what I know of St. Dionysius, he continues to stand forth as a beacon of Christ’s mercy in a church that too often sides with the liturgical Nazis.
Gee, and I thought I had made up the term liturgical Nazi.
Ha!
Brigid breaks the glass ceiling!
Irish though I be, I could never not vote for a person who defends inclusion of all in the partaking of the Gifts of God.
St. Brigid, also known as St. Bride, is the patron saint of those with fertility issues and problem pregnancies. Not only was my first call to St. Brides church, but this saint also gave me comfort through my triplet pregnancy. Gotta give my vote to bishop brigid.
While St. Dionysius worked to hold the church together with many others, St. Brigid stands for opening the church up – there must have been many women worthy of the crozier then, and now in denominations where men still hold control.
Last fall I spent a day in Kildare with three Brigidine sisters. They taught our group of pilgrims about Brigid, took us to visit the cathedral and also the modern parish church which contains the icon at the beginning of the post today. We then went to two healing wells and received blessings there. The current sisters continue to embody the spirit of Brigid and keep the flame burning. See more at http://solasbhride.ie/ and may Brigid’s cloak protect you.
In the history of the church there are stories and there are historical narratives. I tend to weigh in favor of historical narrative and so voted for Dionysius. Cloaks that stretch beyond measure, bathubs of beer and columns of flame from above just don’t get me. But a real controversy with real threats to people’s lives and spirits has my attention. Thank be to Dionysius for proclaiming love for all, including those of us who are broken.
Argh! Do I, as an ordained woman, vote for the first woman bishop?
Or do I, as a person who had concerns about my confirmation (after the Bishop who performed it suddenly and very publicly was revealed to be as human and fallible as any of the rest of us), vote for the Bishop who assures me that the sacrament is still valid?
Tough decision!
“Dionysius reinforced the teaching that the Sacraments of the Church are of Divine origin and that the flawed nature of the Church’s ministers does not undermine their efficacy. He combated with great vigor those who maintained that if a heretic baptized an individual then said Baptism might be considered invalid. Dionysius taught that Baptism in the name of the Trinity should always be regarded as valid no matter the failings of the minister.” Love my irish peeps and saints, including the fiery Brigid, and yet….thank God for Dionysius!
I don’t know if I voted for Brigid or for Megan’s wonderful essay. I must confess to a flexible bracket. I think Dionysius was right; while there is life there is forgiveness. He is a wonderful saint. But fire, beer, and an expanding cloak to confound a king – wow. What can I say? Busted my own bracket.
Yes, Megan certainly knows her audience! Start of with the beer! (It swayed me, and made me thirsty before noon!)
I meant “start OFF with the beer!” Darn autocorrect.
Really tough choice. I voted before for the healing power of his words and teachings that Dionysius had. This time I seem compelled to vote for Brigid (perhaps it’s those Irish saints pouring their love out this week!). She found a way to teach her people with kindness and to enhance their understanding of Christ. What a Bishop!
Voted for Dionysus last time for his welcoming and forgiving stance. But this time…
co-ed monastery, outwitting a king, “go ahead and ordain her a bishop”, inclusion and reinterpretation of familiar customs, re-kindled flame after a few centuries…gotta go with Brigid.
And don’t forget the beer–high in B vitamins.
Bathtub full of beer? Ugh! Wine maybe…
But I went for Dionysius because of the great need for reconciliation in the church and his reliance on the Sacraments and the three-legged stool…scripture, tradition, reason.
Two strong candidates today. Excellent commentaries as usual. I voted for the one I thought needed my vote. I was way wrong in that conclusion.
Brigid has my vote in this round because the more extravagant details in her Vitae are prophetic of the Church in our time. A woman bishop? It’s about time. A broad cloak–er, tent–ditto that. A gentle leading toward the light of Christ shining in the darkness by meeting folks where they are rather than, say, using state power to compel them to enter (by allowing sectarian prayer in public schools)? A no brainer. Turning beer to water? This is to follow Jesus so closely that her footprints are swallowed up in His. Dear, holy Brigid, pray for us!
In honor of my own granddaughter Bridgette, I again voted for Brigid. I loved the video how- to of Brigid’s Cross and the story of her cloak.
As a friend of Fr Michael Lapsley SSM, who lost both hands in a parcel bomb sent by the Apartheid secret police of South Africa, and who has written his story: ” Redeeming the Past” – and works for the Institute for Healing of Memories – I have to vote for Dionysius!
http://www.healing-memories.org/order
in honor of our Service Dog named for Brigid I’m voting for Brigid. She is a patroness of Australia and our dear dog is an Australian Labradoodle.
Go, Bridey
i love brigid and in my heart i hope she wins. i voted for dionysius however because of the compassion he offered to those who perhaps deserved none. feeling undeserving, i too rest my hope on the charity and mercy of jesus.
I voted for Dionysius, but I am glad that Brigid is winning handily!
Don’t forget that Dionysius’ name is derived from Dionysus, the Greek deity of wine, fertility and (Lent) madness. Plenty of inebriation to go around in this match-up. Also, in Brigid’s day it was probably safer to drink beer than water.
So many wonderful aspects of Brigid, whose cross I sometimes wear, but I really have to go with Dionysius, the compassionate, merciful reconciler. In these days of disrespect and polarization, we need more leaders like him.
I’m currently reading the excellent novel, Glastonbury: The Novel of Christian England by Donna Fletcher Crow, and Saint Brigid makes an appearance as the founder of a convent at Glastonbury. And I’m also a wee bit Irish, so for those two reasons I vote for Bishop Brigid.
This is so difficult. We should never have to choose between inviting in and welcoming back.
I was all for Brigid until I read this about Dionysius: “Those who would bar those who apostatized from the Communion of the Church that they had “introduced the most unholy teaching about God and accuse the most gracious Jesus Christ our Lord of being without pity.” For in this season of reconciliation, we would do well to remember the pity of the Lord (and not worry so much about bathtubs of brewskis).
Well, I truly love them both; they both pull at my heart. Perhaps it is my brain that says that I am so grateful to Dionysius holding the line on compassion, on “judge not,” on “70×7” and helping to keep Jesus’ message in practice and available for us today, so I’m voting for Dionysius. I won’t be sorry, though, for either of these two to win. ☺️☺️☺️
Hmm, beer and bishop. Isn’t Maryland dealing with that combo? (Just a joke)
“Columns of fire from heaven are not to be trifled with.” Amen!
Another difficult choice.
On the one hand, there’s Dionysius, who stood firm for compassion at a time when many church leaders wanted to get all hairy-chested with those who lapsed.
On the other hand there’s Brigid, who could have been the first female bishop, and (bishop or not) showed great pastoral sensitivity in relating to the customs of the people with whom she ministered. And besides, many candidates from either of those two big islands off the coast of Europe did poorly in their earlier match-ups (often because of being matched up with more popular opponents).
On balance, I’ll vote for Brigid, although I’d be happy for either of them to be my bishop.
With thanks and appreciation for all Dionysius thought, said, and did, there was no contest here for me: Brigid all the way!
O great SEC, cast me not into LM’s outer darkness! If multiple votes appear from the same IP address in Angola (the country in Africa, not the town in Indiana or the prison in Louisiana), please remove all but one. I have a very slow internet connection and could not seem to get my vote to go through, so I refreshed and retried multiple times before succeeding. That said, my vote (whether one or many) went to Dionysius. You have no idea how much I wanted to vote for Brigid. Dionysius’ sacramental theology and stand for reconciliation swayed me, as well as his status as a father of the Church in Egypt, which was then and is again experiencing persecution.
P.S.- Kudos to celebrity blogger Robert Hendrickson for researching and directly addressing objections raised by commenters in the first round re. Dionysius’ stance on rebaptism and fleeing from persecution. Nice follow-up!
I’m German, Beer is Holy.
I think I just voted for the loser. I think I’m glad.
When my mother, Helen, was dying in Louisville KY 18 years ago, I was following a wonderful devotional book, “Companions for the Soul,” by Robert R. Hudson and Shelley Townsend-Hudson. On Feb 1 that year, I read the version of the anonymous poem called “Brigid’s Feast.” These words will never leave me: “I should welcome the sick to my feast, For they are God’s joy. Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place, And the sick dance with the angels.” The image of my mother dancing with the angels is something I will always cherish. St. Brigid has my vote!
That’s lovely, Peggy. Thanks.
I can get beer at the pub. I need the gifts of Dionysius.
One more vote for the niceness creed! Onward Dioniceness!
As great a teaching as Dionysius espoused, I must vote for the man who maintained that forgiveness even for great sins must be given. The principles Jesus taught cannot, must not be limited by man. Brigid would have had my vote against many others, but not today. I see many comments about beer and lighthearted comments, but this one I must take more seriously. Alas! I am in the minority, not for the first time.
In spite of my partiality to Celts and my admiration for anyone who can change bathwater into anything drinkable, I’m going with Dionysius for his reconciliation and compassion. I don’t share his views on the efficacy of “flawed” priests, as I’ve had to work under a few, and I think anyone who would rather meet martyrdom than be saved from it is a little weird, but we all have out weak spots.
“OUR weak spots,” of course.