The Elate Eight, and our endless fascination with saintly kitsch, continues with Brigid of Kildare facing Kamehameha IV. To make it this far, Brigid defeated Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist) and Dionysius the Great. Kamehameha trounced William Laud before besting David Oakerhater.
Yesterday, Francis of Assisi trounced Thecla 71% to 29%. Tomorrow the Elate Eight continues with Bernard Mizeki taking on Molly Brant.
While we all know the real point of Lent Madness is to be inspired by saintly souls and grow closer to Jesus during this holy season, this doesn’t mean the competitive spirit remains completely dormant. Over the years, thousands of dollars have been raised in parishes that use the saintly smackdown for charitable purposes. In most places this involves parishioners filling out and submitting Lent Madness brackets in advance with a small donation. When the Golden Halo is awarded, the one who “wins Lent” gets to decide which charity gets the pot.
The point it, we’re curious about how people’s brackets are faring? Does anyone have a 
perfect bracket? Is anyone 0-for-Lent? One of Tim’s parishioners was pleased to report he’d only gotten three wrong heading into the Elate Eight (see photo). Of course, as he put it, “Most years I only have three correct at this point.”
Brigid of Kildare
As a patron saint of both Ireland and beer, Brigid has much merchandise to her name. For starters, the depictions of Brigid one can procure are as numerous and as varied as the Irish diaspora.
Here’s one in ceramic tile work, in the style of the American Southwest (of course!) It is complete with a little flame above her head, and a butter churn for all her dairy-related miracles.
If you can’t find a commercially available depiction to suit your needs, there are online classes devoted exclusively to making your own Brigid-collage.
True! Like the crystal vortexes of Sedona’s red rocks, it appears that St. Brigid has a special allure for the New Age-inclined among us, and thus we get this gem of a painting.
If collages are not quite your style, never fear — you can get Brigid’s cross as a stylish item of decor. On basically anything. Hats, shirts, plates, cufflinks, earrings, sweaters, wall hangings, etc.
We have china!
We have necklaces!
If you are worried that silver just doesn’t have that flash, we also have 
14K gold! Because nothing speaks of a woman who cheerfully gave away everything she had like a $340 pendant.
If you’d like to go all DIY/hipster, then there are also real rush crosses available.
And also, if you have a hard time finding your keys, then
you can purchase a Brigid’s cross made of real Connemara marble on a keychain.
But of course, as a famous lover of beer, Brigid has inspired much modern-day brewing as well.
You’ll be pleased to note that there now stands a microbrewery in Kildare, a few miles from Brigid’s old monastery. The Great Divide Brewing Company has a porter named after Brigid (which is not rated so highly. Must be the bathwater overtones.)
There is also an entire beer company in the US named St. Brigid’s Brewery, in Washington. And again, should you want to be more hands-on, you can purchase a beer recipe for St. Brigid’s Blonde to make yourself, or with a trusty group of monastics.
And finally, there exists in Detroit, a bar named St. Brigid’s Bathtub Pub—by far the best name for a bar ever.
Congratulations everyone — a new high in kitsch has been scaled!
Kamehameha IV
Kamehameha IV may have reigned for less than a decade, and he may have died as a young man at only 29 years old, but over 100 years later, his legacy and lasting marks can be seen clearly. His imprint remains on the Hawaiian Islands, and images of him, often with his much-loved wife Queen Emma and their young son Prince Albert, are still prominently evident.
Kamehameha IV is credited with being foundational in introducing Anglicanism to the Hawaiian Islands, and one of his great accomplishments is that he translated the Book of Common Prayer into the local language. So it is fitting that, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu, the church they were instrumental in
establishing, a stained glass window depicting him and his queen fills the pews with heavenly light.
Portraits of Kamehameha IV, often but not always with Emma and Albert, dot the Islands, including this one of the handsome young king, currently on display at the Bishop Museum. It’s available as a poster.
Here is a sample of the King’s signature, found in historical writings of the times.
A place not to miss to learn more about Kamehameha IV is the Queen Emma Summer Palace, which was a retreat house for the royal family. The non –profit organization The Daughters of Hawaii saved the site from being torn down and replaced with a baseball park. At the museum and historic landmark gift shop, operated by the Daughters of Hawaii, numerous items emblazoned with images of Kamehameha IV are available.
But you can collect King Kamehameha IV memorabilia without visiting the Islands.
Don’t miss the King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma figurines.
And the King and Queen playing cards (notice he’s the king!)
Books, including a lasting account of the King’s speeches.
Stamps, an important addition for all stamp collections.
And t-shirts!
And pillows!
The search is on for a Kamehameha IV mug to sit on the shelf next to the Lent Madness collection of mugs.
King Kamehameha IV made a lasting impression on the Hawaiian Islands, and evidence of his reign and that of his Queen still abound in many ways, and in many forms.
Vote!
Brigid of Kildare vs. Kamehameha
- Brigid of Kildare (55%, 3,270 Votes)
- Kamehameha (45%, 2,724 Votes)
Total Voters: 5,994
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I voted for brigid because her father sold her when she was a little girl.
Oliver, it’s awfully early for me to up and noisy but let’s raise a cheer — Hip Hip Brigid, Hip Hip Brigid, Lead us to the bathrub, Hip Hip Brigid!
Well, it’s one of the few times we haven’t voted for the same saint, Oliver. But that’s okay, because I’m very glad to see that you’re still voting and still have such good reasons for your choices. I think you were even the very first person to vote today — which is so cool. Wish I could get up that early!
I voted for Brigid because my son loves Guiness and an Irish girl.
Brigid wins this round because she lived an extraordinary life.
Check out this children’s book with colorful Celtic-style illustrations:
The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare
by Jane G. Meyer (Illustrated by Zachary Lynch)
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Saint-Brigid-Abbess-Kildare-ebook/dp/B00PBG4E82/ref=sr_1_3_twi_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1427319545&sr=8-3&keywords=Brigid+of+kildare
KEEP
CALM
and
KAME
HAMEHA
gets my vote 🙂
Mine too!
And mine In Maine .
And in Portland, OR!
And in Gleneden Beach, OR!
A Kamehameha vote from Tokyo…
The T-shirt, yes; but the stamp! The playing cards! The stained glass window!
Won on kitsch, as well as on impact-on-belief…
Got my vote!
And mine in Maryland. It’s a hard one again. My Irish had to take a back seat to what I think was a short life of devotion to spreading the good word to a whole new place on earth.
Alas, I’m pretty sure that’s a reference to the Dragon Ball series of animes, where “kamehameha” (turtle destruction wave) is a massive energy strike certain characters can use.
Brigid has better kitsch. This may be mahalo victory for Kamehamaha.
Oh my…puns? This early? You Kamehameha’d me laugh.
You are both Hawaiian interest in Lent Madness is so delightful!
This was a tough one for me. I admire both of these saints. However, I have to go with Brigid – the patron saint of Ireland & beer!
I’m with you, Barbara – Ireland, beer and she gets bonus points for not being on Thomas’ bracket. 🙂
I am for Brigid all the way to the golden halo.
Me too, Wendy!
Queen Emma deserves all of her accolades; Kamehameha much less so…my vote is for Brigid.
Amen. The commemoration in HWHM (last time I looked) is for Kamehameha AND Emma, and I resent it that she got left out. Also, when looking for a discreet badge of clerical servanthood to wear in my lapel, I chose a St. Brigid’s cross. So Brigid for me, again, and may she go all the way!
Emma was a previous Golden Halo contender and got all the way to the final round.
Queen Emma made it to the Golden Halo round but lost to Mary Magdalene. : (
Wow, what a contest that was!
A .p.s. If you are ever in Hawaii, the Summer Palace in Nuuanu is a wonderful place to visit, on the #4 bus route. One of Hawaii’s hidden gems.
Brigid for the Golden Halo!
Yes!
Right on Debbie!
Guys, for Brigid to win, she’ll have to beat Frederick Douglas…I repeat, FREDERICK DOUGLAS.
Surprise vote! “Hands out in love, hands up in prayer..”
Go Kamehameha!
Anyone think Francis if Assisi isn’t going to win this?
Rich, I’m with you and Francis (also the name of my grandfather Bevan).
But what a terrible choice to make between Francis and Brigid.
Egeria FTW!
Yes! But it will still be a tough choice against all the others.
Thanks Tutu Lois! I’ll keep that tip in mind.
Get your Irish on!
I only have three wrong. I am so excited and can’t wait for each morning to try the next one.
Voted for both these saints in the earlier rounds. Tough choice. Voted for Kamehamaha this round, but both are certainly worthy.
I’m new to Lent Madness; this is my first year participating. Just a thought for the two saints I had to vote for today (Wed. 03/25)…I was not given any real information about Brigid of Kildare! I’m not up on my Saint’s history – all I read was about the pubs and all of the trinkets that memorialize her! That’s OK but please give us some real information too…thanks. I do enjoy Lent Madness!
Welcome! Just click the links to previous opponents in the post and you’ll get all the info you need.
This round is devoted to the trinkets (kitsch) When Brigid was introduced to us in the first round, we got all the serious biographical info. Welcome to Lent Madness.
What we really need now is a “like” button for the comments section.
Like.
Don’t Like. What’s wrong with the fingers doing a little tap dance on the “l” “i””k””e” keys? Even I can manage that at this hour.
totally agree- a LIKE button is necessary.
not
Exactly, Debbie!
I voted for Brigid because I really love butter but I cannot lie… I would absolutely rock that Kamehameha throw pillow. Best saintly kitsch ever!
I cannot in good conscience take the “fun” road and vote for the beer saint, especially in light of the serious issues of drinking that arose a few months ago when a Bishop of our church killed a bicyclist while she was under the influence (apparently) of alcohol addiction. Thus in light of the fact that there is no St. “Debbie Downer” to vote for (who I am apparently following today), I will take the high and royal road and vote for King K.
In her day it was safer to drink beer than water. And she is also patron of Ireland, poets, dairymaids, blacksmiths, healers, cattle, fugitives, Irish nuns, midwives, and new-born babies.
We’re getting to a time again when it’s safer to drink beer than water, so Brigid is my vote.
I hear ya, Nolan, but interestingly, except for a few references to “butter” most people are focusing on the beer. And I’m so glad that we can hide the problem that permeates our culture, society, pews, and pulpits, by taking the conservationist road and pretend that we are just holding up water preservation in high regard! I’ll look later and see how many folks use that to lift up Brigid…unfortunately…it’s more about Miller Time.
Peter, just because you drink a beer does not mean that you are getting drunk. Lots of people drink A beer, myself included, because they enjoy the complex taste! Even our Lord drank wine, another complex taste that people enjoy. Brigid did not advocate for drinking to excess. There is nothing wrong with an occasional beer or glass of wine or even a cocktail, it is the drinking to the point of inebriation that is the problem. Don’t equate the two!
Tell ’em, Phil!
And by the way there are health benefits to drinking in moderation, including preventing heart attacks!
No doubt. And I am not here to promote abstinence, but perhaps because I am on the east coast where Bishop Cook plowed a cyclist to death I am being sensitive to that fact in casting my vote and not being one of the many who are cheering “Yay Beer!” on this page. Certainly, I hold no grudge to those who drink, or those who CLAIM to drink in the moderation recommended by docs (I have never known anyone to follow that to the letter…6 oz of wine/day…really? Has anyone ever had just 6oz of wine a day, or even 6oz when they decide to have one?). Regardless, I am merely taking the prerogative of sharing where my vote went, and why. Those who want to vote for Brigid can and will.
Yes, Peter, it is possible for this small woman to drink just 4 ounces or I’ll get wonky. But just one potato chip, that’s another story!
and I bet you aren’t yelling “Yay Beer!” on this feed either! Or killing pedestrians and leaving the scene. Good for you..and good to meet someone who actually drinks in medical moderation! You are a rarity!
Well, personally I hate beer, but I do love me a good Chardonnay. And I know lots of people who drink moderately. I don’t know what circles you move in, but… Happy Lent!
This large woman drinks just one 6 oz. glass or the headache is unbearable! And I have that less than once a week. I certainly respect your vote and your reasoning, but please don’t judge everyone else by the excesses of one person – even a bishop. (And yes, your words did come across as judgmental even if you didn’t mean them that way.)
Blessings.
Here’s another drinker of very little. In spiteof my name.
I second the judgemental reading.
Thanks for the thoughts on my being judgmental…interesting that the only way you can claim that is by making a judgment upon me! And no…one Bish does not make all drinkers into inebriates, however, if you do not think that there is passel of problem drinkers in “ye olde Episcopal Church,” then you are in denial…and that is not a judgement…I promise.
Hello
While I have enjoyed Lent Madness for a few years, I have never before entered into the conversation but am moved to do so now.
For me personally, an ongoing struggle is the balance between judgement and maintaining standards. We, as people trying to be accepting, forgiving individuals, do not want to repeat Sinners in the hands of an angry God but we also don’t want to abandon standards and sink to the lowest common denominator of pseudo-human society. I happen to be familiar with the location of this tragedy – a residential street with little traffic, 2 traffic lanes in each direction, two wide bike lanes, and, further, a wide parking lane for each direction of traffic, all surrounding a tree-planted median. Blood alcohol levels way over the limit, a person of God who did not stay to hold the hand of a dying man; while alcohol may be a secondary offender in this horrible saga, I am sad to see a reflection (Yea, EFM) judged as judgmental. Granted, this may have little reference to St. Brigid and the place of locally brewed, low alcohol beer in a society that none of us can know; my thoughts hope to be relevant to the ongoing discussion and to each of our struggles to come to terms with the tragedies of our current world.
That said, kitsch is easier and more fun…
I know of a small school that’s doing a bracket like this using people from history and literature. The students nominated the competitors and wrote the information. Not saints necessarily, but inspiring characters. Today, they have George Washington and Cincinnatus. Yesterday, it was Ada Lovelace and Archimedes. The Lent Madness fever is spreading! A good idea deserves to be shamelessly ripped off. They invite others to play along: https://pegasuspandemonium.wordpress.com/
We do the same thing with poetry and call it Poetry Madness!
I’ve missed one this far but have to be honest…my votes were from the head, not the heart. St. Francis is both and Golden Halo pick.
Mine too!
Herself and her lake of beer for the poor, win my heart. (And of course, you have to remember that beer etc. was not just “booze”, but a safe way to preserve grains and fruits etc back in pre-refrigeration days….. so healthy).
also it was difficult to find safe drinking water – beer was safer but I agree, our most serious substance abuse problem, by far, is with alcohol. However I am for Brigid today.
Brigid! And I don’t even like beer, so it has to be all about Brigid who gave everything away and connected the ways of her people with the teachings of Christianity! Keep Calm and bridge it on!
Yes, Barbara. Keep calm and Bridge it on. For me the deciding factor was the beer– anyone tending the health of the population by encouraging the consumption of beer out scores someone organizing a health care system for his subjects.
I voted for reason and historical accuracy with Dionysius in the last round. In this one my heart tells me to go with the spirits. My wife of 47 years, may now be looking down with more favor at me supporting the Irish lass
Two good women you be talkin’ about there. My good man is probably with them lookin’ favorably on my vote. A community of saints.
Surprised myself today. After supporting Brigid and not supporting Kamehameha in previous rounds, I switched loyalties and voted for the King. I think the prayer book translation and my love of the Hawaiian Islands finally got to me. I don’t think either one, however, will be able to unseat Francis.
Brigid All The Way!!! Beer, Possibly the first woman bishop, and it took Henry VIII to temporarily put out the flame of her Monastery. What a gal!
Cheryl, click on Bracket 2015 at the top of the page, and the links to all the match-ups with their biographies are available there.
This is a tough match. I love Brigid, who established early monasteries in her country, gave her father’s riches to the poor, was not afraid of kings, and worked to administer to the poor. I also loved Kamehamaha who worked to bring health care to the population, saying that “the sick are our brothers and sisters”, and translated the Book of Common Prayer into the local language. Both had a profound effect on their land, both were full of compassion and Godly love. Brigid lived the more ascetic life. I’m voting for her.
What’s with all the commercial stuff? And beer? Alcohol is no funny matter… And new age? Has anyone read the scriptures lately?
*sigh*
maybe a short nap would help
I don’t understand participating without getting the lay of the land first and knowing what it is your participating IN! (Please pardon my shouting with a dangling participle! ☺️)
Where do you see anything in Scripture about not drinking alcohol? Our Lord turned water into wine and drank it as well! Drinking in moderation is actually beneficial. It is drinking to excess that is the problem! Do not equate the two!
thanks
Have to vote for Kamahameha as he was present at my Uncle Robert’s baptism. This has been a fun Lent Madness at St Hilary’s (Hesperia, CA) as we have met each Wed. to discuss the saints and to vote for our favorites. Aloha
How cool is that! Mahalo!
RE: brackets…I’ve only busted two. First year playing.
I’d say it was a kitschy tie, but I voted for Brigid as she and Francis will make for quite the Saintly Smackdown (where do you guys find all this amazing kitsch?).
Voting today for Brigid, the first functioning female bishop. I especially like this bit from (I think) the second round: “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.”
That IS the reason we vote for Brigid.
I love the KEEP CALM T shirt, but thanks to this post I’ve discovered that microbrewery in Kildare. 🙂 Yes, alcohol abuse is a problem nowadays, but we can’t blame Brigid for that. Her brew was probably “small beer,” which ran about 1 to 2% alcohol. Back then, beer was far safer to drink than water, because it had been boiled.
I think the New Age stuff is more about the Celtic goddess then the Christan Saint. Though in some places the differences between the two get kind if blurry.
Alameda Brewing in Portland, Oregon also has a St Brigid beer, it’s an Irish Red Ale (appropriate)
As for me, I can’t not vote for the patron saint of beer. 😀
I am throwing my vote for King K. Not to say I don’t like an occasional beer. Cool to find that there is bathtub pub in Detroit of all places.
Tough choice indeed. But Bridget has had her Kitch of goddies least well over a melenium.
Keep
Calm
and
Kame
Hameha!
Thanks for the gift of the latest Keep Calm t-shirt. I will treasure the memory;also very clever to link King K with Emma,a sort of 2 for 1 in the hope that Emma will share the reflected glow should he wear the Golden Halo that she just missed last year.
I cast my vote for Brigid because of her Christ-light shining so strongly that men in power had to acknowledge it. No idea how I will vote between her & Francis if that occurs but she deserves the shot (and a beer) LOL!
I vaguely remember an article that said Brigid gave away everybody else’s stuff without asking. I’m not sure that is true, but I am sure that Kamehameha never did such a thing.
Whenever I’m disappointed in the writeup by “Holy Women, Holy Men”, I go to read what James Kiefer has to say. With respect to Bridget he quotes a poem “The Giveaway” (from “the Love letters of Phyllis McGinley”): (It’s too long to quote the whole thing) “Saint Bridget was a problem child. . . . . [She] drove the family mad. For here’s the fault in Bridget lay: She would give everything away. . . . Well, one must love her. Nonetheless , In thinking of her Givingness, there’s no denial She must have been A sort of trial Unto her kin. The moral, too, seems rather quaint. Who had the patience of a saint, From evidence presented here? Saint Bridget? Or her near and dear?”
With Cecilia out of the running, my bracket is in shatters. Could be worse; every single one of my father’s picks has lost. Really.
Awesome kitsch! St. Brigid get’s my vote.
I voted for Brigid because she clearly had the best kitsch. Raise a glass of Brigid blond and enjoy a glass in the Bathtub Pub!
In response to the query, my bracket was busted on day 2, but I’m still hoping Francis will get the win. I had thought it would be Francis v. Juan Diego at the end; a little wishful thinking on my part. As for today’s contest: Go Brigid! I’m raising a glass of tea to her right now, perhaps beer later!
There’s no doubt that Brigid has the better kitsch today – but I voted for King K. I love Brigid’s story – but for this recovering alcoholic, the endless talk about the “lake of beer” kind of gets on my nerves and actually makes her less attractive. Just a personal opinion; I realize others have different views – and that’s perfectly OK. I voted for her last round for the very same reason Oliver did, actually. But now I kind of wish I’d voted for Elizabeth.
As for the bracket: I’ve never filled one out, even. I like LM for the saints themselves, and reading about them, and just for the ridiculous fun of the whole thing. Don’t care all that much who “wins”; what’s great, for me, is looking at the whole wide sweep of history – and that people whose names are rarely mentioned today are being talked about again. But then, I play sports just for the fun of it, too; I’m not very competitive. Sorry about that. 😉
Barbara, I’m with you on the reason for playing Lent Madness (which I often put in purple when e-mailing). And you never know when you’ll run into mention or depiction of one of these folks–tapestries in Our Lady Queen of the Angels in Los Angeles has a couple from previous years.
Exactly. I have come across people via Lent Madness that I’ve never heard of before- martyrs and mystics and just plain colorful characters – and I am so glad we are recognizing them again. You’re right that you sometimes hear about them elsewhere, later, too.
Glad to know there are others who feel the same way!
Don’t apologize. I don’t fill out the bracket ahead of time either. I just love learning about all the saints the better known and the lesser known. I am not much of a competitor either. I voted for Bridgid, not for the whole beer thing (I’m a teetotaller), but for other reasons. Thank goodness we have safe water to drink
I find myself so distracted by this wonderful kitsch that I have to go back and review the real resumes of these two wonderful saints! Its not getting any easier is it? Did Brigid ever have a stamp?
Wonder if things will change when Hawaii begins voting.
I hope, I hope!!
Welcome to all, no matter how late jumping into Lent Madness. I commend the bloggers who tirelessly repeat the instructions to go back so newcomers can find the critical bio info on all of the saints. That said, the kitsch round is fun though I generally don’t make that my deciding factor. Thankfully today the Bathtub Pub coincides with my saintly preference: go Brigid!!
This is a toughie – I grew up in Hawai’i and am of Irish decent. I went with King Kamehameha because of his love of his people and their well-being.
All this merchandise and nothing that glows in the dark? Because that would have made it easier to decide.
like
Yeah, that’s a good one, Lindy….
Francis for the win. He so deserves it, but since another Frances won last year does that make it tougher for him to win? 2 years in a row with a Francis/Frances….what are the odds? did you guys(SEC) think of that when the bracket czars made the bracket?
Actually, it was Charles Wesley who won last year (I had to look it up in the “Saintly Scorecard”, so there’s some time in between.
They are the bracket czars, aren’t they?
You didn’t even mention Irish foreplay (“Brace yourself, Brigid”)
There must be a lot of beer fans out there voting for Briged out there. I foted for Kamehameha because he brought Anglicanism to the Islands as well as translating the Bible into the native language, but beer and The Bathtub Pub probably trump translating the Bible.
The amount of people that think brigid is getting past the next round, is astonishing.
Really hard choice–which is good. I went with Kamehameha for translating the BCP into Hawaiian.
Though I really appreciated Brigid’s kitsch
Patron saint of newborns. It’s Brigid for me today. (Retired pediatric nurse)
Brigid is too commercial. Kamehameha’s positive influence continues to today.
Someone please tell us why Brigid’s cross is the shape it is????
Great question, Lucy! So good I had to look it up. According to one online article, “While not reported in writing until the 17th century, the practice of making a St. Brigid cross is believed to have carried over from pre-Christian times. The cross is associated with the start of spring, the time when the ground can first be prepared and lambs are born. . . The cross is made of rushes in the shape of a fylfot or swastika [the two words seem to mean pretty much the same thing].” (http://www.crosscrucifix.com/articlehome.htm) The swastika is a symbol that is tens of thousands of years old and has been used by a great many cultures around the world. It seems to have been associated with positive outcomes– fertility, renewal and new beginnings, good fortune, prosperity (before the Nazis perverted it). In Christianity it appears very early on in mosaics and in the catacombs. It’s just one more example of how so many of our Christian symbols and practices have pre-Christian roots.
Wow, thanks, Susan Wall! That was fascinating. And again I say, there’s nothing new under the sun…
Saner minds must prevail…!!!! At this hour in the morning I am completely surprised by the votes for Brigid because of a supposed miracle of turning dirty bathwater into beer. I for one would be appalled if the Golden Halo went to a beer-swilling barmaid, even if she did wear a tilted kilt. No, my vote goes to the truly saintly spirit of Kamehameha.
Although I love Brigid, I had to go with Kamehameha because he has better kitsch!
Brigid is the patron saint of abused women also. On a side note: I am sorry that the King’s house displaced a baseball field; after all, the inventor of baseball lived in Hawaii.
The King’s house was there before there was any thought of a ballfield. They wanted to tear down the house to build one.
Baseball is mentioned in Northanger Abbey written by Jane Austen. The book was revised and sent for publishing in 1803. 🙂
What about the Brigidine Sisters who, to this day over 1,000 years after St. Brigid’s death, stand for Mercy & Social Justice throughout the world on many continents? Her life of service, inspiration & inclusion inspires millions to serve the needy throughout the world. Look up her Beer prayer & really read its intent of love & giving.
I voted for both these in earlier rounds, which makes the choice more difficult, but being, as I said earlier, uninterested in kitsch and basically lazy, I’ll stick with my penchant for Celts and go for Brigid.
Beer or butter aside, both of which I enjoy; tis hard to resist an Irish lass.
I can’t have dairy or beer, so Kamehameha gets my vote. (And I like his work, too.)
Fresh this year to Lent Madness and can no longer resist the urge to comment; Oliver’s confidence has inspired me from the beginning! I’m proud to announce my bracket was exploded Day One when I cast my maiden vote for Gregory the Illuminator. The gift of that “bust” was release from and any and all competitive ambition thus precipitating a dive into the pure joy of the Lexperience.
I will be a tireless advocate for the treasures to be found on the LM journey. Every day I am learning new things that are enriching my travels on this Pilgrim’s Path, and I am doing so in an environment replete with humor, wisdom and sincerity. From the SEC and Celebrity Bloggers, to the rich exchanges found in the daily comments, this experience rocks!
Ah, Jane, a woman after mine own heart!
We’re up in Hawaii now and this long time kama’aina just voted on Irish heritage. Go Brigid!
Fresh this year to Lent Madness and can no longer resist the urge to comment; Oliver’s confidence has inspired me from the beginning! I’m proud to announce my bracket was exploded Day One when I cast my maiden vote for Gregory the Illuminator. The gift of that “bust” was release from any and all competitive ambition thus precipitating a dive into the pure joy of the Lent Madness experience.
I have become a tireless advocate for the treasures to be found on the LM journey. Every day I am learning new things that are enriching my travels on this Pilgrim’s Path, and I am doing so in an online community replete with humor, wisdom and sincerity. From the SEC and Celebrity Bloggers, to the rich exchanges found in the daily comments, this experience is just rocks!
Finally, for data collection purposes (with apologies to any statisticians in the ranks), I went 29 and 3 in the Round of 32, followed by a descent into the range of 50/50 and most recently so badly I’m not even keeping track. But oh my, am I ever having a good time doing it! Thank you all so very very much!
Well, in deference to that other Madness going on, I have to vote for Brigid. Let’s see her and both the Fighting Irish men and women to the championship!!! GO IRISH
My understanding is that Neo-pagans/Wiccans who like Bridget do so because she is a Christianized form of the Celtic goddess Bride.
Hard one for me, love Brigid’ s kitsch (wanna get me one of them cool crosses) but King K did so much for Hawaii, along with Emma, so he gets the vote. And my late mom lived in Hawaii and benefited from their healthcare delivery system. She was on the dole, and yet was treated so kindly and with such dignity at the hospital. Maybe that swayed me.
Come on all U Hawaiian Episcopalians . Vote for UR guy who really made a difference and get UR friends and neighbors to vote too. We can’ t let the Irish sweep a great saint away!
Come on all U Hawaiian Episcopalians . Vote for UR guy who really made a difference and get UR friends and neighbors to vote too. We can’ t let the Irish sweep a great saint away!
That was tough. In the end St. Brigid got my vote – not because of her kitsch, although it was tempting, but because she made the best of a bad start. Who knew there was slavery in Ireland? Rhetorical question, in case anyone felt the need to respond. 🙂
My bracket took a dump at Hildegard and again at Juan Diego. But I enjoy it any way. I would like to figure out how to get my church to participate next year. They need funds in all sorts of areas. Mostly helping the poor. It is a bilingual church often refered to as the “church that was built with tamales” because they would and still do make tamales to sell . They used to have a fiesta every october but I think folks got a little worn out. Any advice or ideas on how to make it happen would be appriciated. It is a Catholic church but as I’v said in the past very welcoming.
The kitsch is fun, but I wonder if the SEC might include with each Elate 8 candidate a link to the previous, historical post to help us decide? I don’t feel like my voting is doing the process justice after reading about so many saints and forgetting who is who!
We did! Click on the names of the vanquished opponents in the post.
Born to a slave mother by a Druidic father, Brigid crossed all of Gael to find & free her mother after she had been sold. Then Brigid strove to follow that up by teaching Druids across the land about the power & love of Jesus for all people. It is said that throughout her travels she converted most through her example of love & kindness which the Druids had not experienced through their pagan beliefs. That strength of character in the late 5th century – early 6th century, paved the way for many like King Kamehameha to believe they could make a difference in their own lands. All honor to the patron Saint of babies, young mothers, poets, dairy farmers & many others too numerous to count. A Strong woman role model for all… including creating a double monastery for men & women as she served as abbess spreading love & joy throughout the land!
Thank you for the detailed explanation of why some of us voted for Brigid. It’s not all about the beer!
Thank you, that’s also one of the many reasons I voted for Brigid today. Also butter!
I love all the kitsch….. this is insane!
I vote for K, I am not a fan of Beer
Although I honor St. Brigid, and hope that she eventually inspires the Roman Catholic Church to once again allow women priests and bishops (and eventually cardinals and popes), I have to go with Kamehameha IV, for two reasons. First, I picked up my favorite deck of cards in Hawaii, and it is the one shown in the Kamehameha kitsch collection. Second, his wife, Queen Emma, made it to the Faithful Four, and I think it is only fair that he be allowed to join his beloved wife.
I predict the winner of this round will have been born on an island. The question of course is which island. 😉
Hehe, you are clairvoyant!
Never seen a K-IV mug, even at Queen Emma Summer Palace. Hope students at ‘Iolani School (founded by K-IV) and St Andrew’s Priory (founded by Queen Emma) are voting today for their Ali’i. Yup, supporting K-IV!
there’s a danger of the voting of all the students from both schools founded by our beloved Sovereigns; if they are all using the school’s server, their votes can get knocked out! May have happened in a past Lent Madness, we aren’t sure.
Vote for King Kamehameha! He was a very diplomatic leader and looked out for his people while melding with the British and Americans. He could have done so much more if his life had not been show short. Aloha!
Guys, I like beer just as much as the other guy, but a patron saint of beer (not Ireland – that’s patrick) vs a founder of hospitals, schools, and churches, who translated the book of common prayer for his people? Please!?
There is so much more to Brigid than just beer! I voted for her based on her biography (OK, also my Irish heritage). I don’t even like beer!
Re: the beer controversies:
Maybe we are being a little tiny bit literal about the whole beer miracle. And in joyful participation therein, let me say that I did love having one pint of my new favorite Irish beer for St. Patrick’s Day. It was Belhaven “Wee Heavy” – rich creamy dark. A bit of ecstasy, that!
And in a more mystical vein, let me re-post the poem that Phil put in his comment in round 1:
I should like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I should like the angels of Heaven to be drinking it through time eternal.
I should like excellent meats of belief and pure piety.
I should like the men of Heaven at my house.
I should like barrels of peace at their disposal.
I should like for them cellars of mercy.
I should like cheerfulness to be their drinking.
I should like Jesus to be there among them.
I should like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us.
I should like the people of Heaven, the poor, to be gathered around from all parts.
Amen, Brigid!
Although I don’t drink alcohol I love my name sake… She loved animals me too….. You go GIRL!!
I love islands! Ireland, Hawaiian, Thimble, haha, probably lost most of you there. Well then, Manhattan. How about Planet Earth our island home. My heart aches for Kamehamaha because of his incredible life of goodness and caring and generosity and the sadness of losing a child.
But at least if Brigid wins this round, it’s not too hard to choose between the birds and the bees — ??? oops that should be beers!
😉
I wanted to post an answer to the Bracket question since I am the keeper of the brackets at our church. I was really amazed that no one chose Egeria for the Elate 8. We have nearly every other variation possible but apparently none thought she would make it this far. May she continue to bust our brackets!
While not wanting to step on the toes of the Supreme Executive Committee, I would like to
nominate Eileen Mohr for Poet Laureate of Lent Madness. She has shared her poetic gifts
with only a select few, and I encourage her to widen her audience. To give an example of
her talent, I submit the following poem:
There once was a lass named Brigid
Whose da was a daft auld idjit
She turned water to beer
So let’s raise a cheer
And a pint and a vote for Brigid!
While some may question her use of the limerick form, it has a long and illustrious history,
having been used by such religious luminaries as St. Thomas Aquinas!
Please join me in supporting Eileen for Poet Laureate!
Respectfully submitted,
Jim (her younger brother, who hopes that the consequences he suffers from her are not too dire)
Kamehameha was an Episcopalian and an American. Enough said.
I think he was rather an Anglican and a Hawaiian. King K. died in 1864. A republic was proclaimed in 1894; the first president was Sanford B. Dole (pineapples?). In 1898, following the brief Spanish- American War, the US annexed the Republic of Hawaii at the request thereof. In 1900 Hawaii became a territory and eventually in 19590 a State
Patron Saint of Beer? How’d I not know this?
I would enjoy Lent Madness more without all the merchandising.
King K IV gets my vote, for his translation of the Book of Common Prayer and his attention to health care.
From the description by Bridge Building Images, ‘Brigid was one of the many Celtic saints who insisted that a vital component of the spiritual life is having a soul friend (anam cara). Her own dear friend was the younger nun Darlughdach, who slept with her and sometimes functioned as her ambassador. When Brigid told her that she expected to be dying soon, Darlughdach begged that they might die together. Brigid responded that she would outlive her for one year, in order to succeed her as abbess…. Since Darlughdach died exactly one year later, they share the same feast.’
I vote for undying friendship, soul friends, and the patron saint of my ordination (albeit with great respect for K Kamehameha and all he and his wife Emma did for their people).
My only remaining unbusted bracket saint is Brigid whom I pick as going all the way as I claim Kildare as an ancestral home.
Go Bridid!
lost one so far!
Enough with the beer controversy! I voted for Brigid because she embodied Christian hospitality and God’s preferential option for the poor, sick and downtrodden. She spoke truth to power courageously, met the “unchurched” on their own terms and we haven’t even gotten to her accomplishments as bishop. If we follow Brigid’s model in hospitality and love for the least, our church is much healthier place from the beginning. My favorite saint.
Thank you Chuck! I am totally baffled by the beer fixation. As has been pointed out repeatedly, beer was safer to drink than water in many cases and actually an important nutritional element in the medieval diet – B vitamins. And, the beer stories are about HOSPITALITY! St. Brigid is always about radical hospitality! She is the patron of our meal program. Add to that being the 1st woman ordained a bishop, and the honored abbess of a major monastic community. My parish loves St. Brigid!
St. Kamehameha of Hawaii was authentic Royalty, AND he was Anglican. He relentlessly defended his people, especially the poor and sick against the predatory American business cartel which ended up destroying his kingdom. He is a true saintly royal in the pattern of Stephen of Hungary, Louis of France and Margaret of Scotland.
Brigid had beer.
Robert, St. Brigid embodied radical hospitality. That is what she was about. Her compassion for the poor and marginalized was boundless. She is the patron of our meal program. And, she was the first woman bishop by millennia, and the respected abbess of a major monastic establishment. Enough with the fixation on beer. It isn’t funny anymore.
Come on Hawai’i it’s time to wake up and get voting!!! If we don’t have a huge surge from the far west; it will be lost for your native saint! My “sainted Irish Mother, may she rest in peace” would be horrified to see my campaigning against Brigid of her native Kildare; but then she’s also be shocked to know that I left Rome for Canterbury 20+ years ago – oh well, I know she is content knowing none of that matters except the love of her Creator for all of creation!
I was expecting a late surge for His Majesty due to Hawaii being two hours (or is it three during DST?) behind the west coast of the mainland. I’m surprised that the vote margin hasn’t change much. His wife, Queen Emma, lasted longer when she was in the running.
In honour of the second women bishop to be appointed in the Church of England (yesterday), I cast my vote for Brigid. But I can’t say that the Keep Calm and … tee shirt didn’t nudge me her way too.
Breaking news: the Church of England has just appointed its first female Diocesan Bishop to Gloucester. Perhaps the interest in Brigid is bearing fruit….
’bout damn time!
Brigid!
Brigid of Kildare! All the way!