Just in the nick of time (before Tuesday, that is), Scott and Tim are back with the latest episode of Monday Madness. This week, they preview the Elate Eight match-ups and the change in style which comes with this round, also known as the Round of the Saintly Kitsch. Because every year brings out a few Kitsch Kranks, the Supreme Executive Committee reminds everyone of the two Lent Madness rules, which will help anyone through whatever objection to Lent Madness they claim.
Also, in this week’s episode, the SEC basks in the glow of flattery which springs from imitation, since Crux Now has cloned a nearly identical “Saints Madness” for their faithful. While we are glad to see others joining in Lenten fun, we also wish to remind the world that all are welcome here at Lent Madness, and that our halo can be worn by Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, or any stripe of Christian. So c’mon over everyone, and join the party. Plus, at our party, we feature the world-renowned Original Saintly Smackdown.
fyi there is a comment on Crux that says “do give the Epicopalians the credit for this idea …and visit” so he then refers the reader to, wait i know what it is….what is the link? oh, yeah http://www.lentmadness.org
And…not forgetting the Lutheran tradition! Guess we are “the others”… this Lutheran absolutely loves “Lent Madness”! Long may it continue…
You guys give me a good chuckle. I can’t imagine doing my own bracket. Why ? I look forward to this every year and I go through a bit of depression when it is over. I always vow to order the new booklet as soon as it is available. I wish I could get some of the locals interested. I feel they are really missing out. Life is short so have a laugh and why not enjoy learning about all our saints. Happy Lent or is it HOLY Lent (Batman) ? Haha 🙂
Thanks Tim, and Scott 🙂 it’s been a great saintly bracket adventure so far…glad we are the inclusive saintly madness… By the way Scott, nice icon in the background 🙂
So inclusive, you’ve got an American Baptist clergywoman here, too. 🙂
I now take great delight seeking Saintly Kitsch! Thanks for reminding us that God has a sense of humor too.
In all fairness, they do have little write-ups on the saints, but they are very brief and they need a little help from a graphic artist. Ah well!
On to kitsch!!
RCs annoy me… They have trouble with “playing well with others”!
Rev Vasquez, Can you please clarify what you mean by your statement? Surely, you do not really mean what you have stated in your post, i.e. that RCs “have trouble playing with others.” As a cradle RC, who has played Lent Madness for years and loves playing with the very diverse group represented here on-line and in my local community, I am disappointed in your demeaning and overly broad comment. Surely some RCs do have trouble “playing well with others”, but that characteristic is not the sole property of people in the Roman Catholic church. If you really believe your statement, I would challenge you this Lenten season to reflect upon how you perceive and interact with people who come from a different faith background. Scott and Tim have set up a great experience in Lent Madness, the celebrity bloggers are awesome, and for the vast majority of the time, comments have been civil over the years that I have played. Experiences like LM help each one of us to learn about each other and to hopefully help foster more understanding. I know that I have learned a lot by participating in LM. In my opinion, your comment crossed the line, and I am especially disappointed and dismayed that this came from a member of the clergy.
Thank you for saying what I could not, but was thinking. I’m a cradle Anglican but am living in an area where they are not available to me . I attend a Catholic church. I feel very much at home there and have been welcomed for years. The Pope ( God bless him ) has spread the word to spread the love. Lent is a wonderful time of year to reflect on our misunderstandings.
Thank you very much Glenda! I am so glad for you that you have found a great faith community in your area. Pope Francis is a breath of fresh air for me as well. I love the fact that on Holy Thursday he washed the feet of a female Muslim inmate. Awesome!! Keep well and blessings!
I completely agree with you, Eileen Mohr. For me, one of the great things about LM is that people from all faiths (and, perhaps, none) are gathering together to enjoy it.
Anyway, lots of us have a great deal of respect for RCs, so don’t think Rev. Vasquez’ point of view is at all representative.
Thank you Barbara! I started playing LM a few years ago when a co-worker (Episcopalian) mentioned it to me. Soon it became the highlight of each Lenten workday AM over a cup of coffee. Then a couple Methodists joined in, my office mate (who was getting ready to join the RC church), as well as a couple Lutherans. It was s great to learn about each person’s faith expression and a brilliant way to start off each AM. Although I retired over a year ago, I bought books each of the last two years and brought them up to the office. This year I got another several other RCs to join in, and have, by their own words, gotten several of them hooked on playing. 🙂 So again, many thanks to Tim and, the celebrity writers , and kind bloggers like you! Blessings!
I love reading about the saints’ kitsch as I drink from my Lent Madness coffee mug. Seriously ugly btw. Sorry to be a Koffee Kup Krank. Tarnished halo, or as my father often accused me, slipping halo. Definitely not golden.
Here is a kitschy question for the SEC. One of the eight saints remaining had a United States Navy nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine named after him or her. Which one?
No one. The submarine is named after Kamehameha the Great or the first one.
No one.? Are you saying the sub was named after another Kamehameh ?
Well, there were four of them…
The sub was named after the first Kamehameha also, called Kamehmeha the Great.
Thank you for enlightening me. The saintly scorecard does say we are voting on Kamehameh IV. I missed that initially.
LOVE IT! U guys r THE BEST;) THANKS 4 A GREAT APPROACH 2 LENT. As a former RC,one of the things I have always appreciated about the Episcopal church was the cross on the altar. No crucified Christ to feel guilty about but A RISEN LORD! AMEN. 2 continuing the tradition of looking for good in all things.
Scott, love the Biblical LEGOS! Did you know that LEGO has its own Bible? My 21-year old son, a LEGO maniac in his youth, and I were in Barnes and Noble the other day when he spied The Brick Bible. Of course, we had to buy it. The LEGO depiction of the stories of the Bible is a must see!
And my Buddy Christ from “Dogma” is looking down at me.
The bios of saintly persons I had never heard of warm my heart. Unfair contests fires my passion for the underdog. The creative commentary enlightens my understanding and illumines my perspective.
Is the sub San Francisco?
Good try but no it isn’t San Francisco. Since the Navy doesn’t like naming ships for women (some superstition). You have narrowed the choice down.
First season & already hooked!! Thanks for expanding my Lentn devotions with rich HAHAHDAAAA!!!!
Amen!
Homer Laughlin China, makers of Fiestaware, is playing “Fiesta Madness” on their Facebook page. You are to vote for your favorite Fiesta color….
Madness for sure.
Speaking of including all branches of Christianity, may I recommend the Brethren martyrs John Kline and Ted Studibaker for next year’s Lent Madness?