As people worldwide choose today between Raymond Nonnatus and John of Nepomuk, an unseemly event has taken place to rock the placid sanctity of everybody’s favorite online Lenten devotion.
In the first great controversy of Lent Madness 2017, the Supreme Executive Committee has learned that someone gave Lent Madness a 2 
out of 5 star rating on our Facebook page. This shocking development comes amid an average grade of 4.8 stars, with over 200 reviews already in.
Without using names, here is the actual review:
2 Stars — It’s fun as well as informative. I know you will enjoy reading each day’ s blog during the Lenton (sic) season. There is a diverse roster of celebrity blogers (sic).
Now, it’s conceivable that the reviewer in question simply clicked the wrong button on the star feature. The words don’t exactly match what you’d expect to see in a 2-star rating. But this doesn’t take away from the scandalous nature of this ignominious slander of the world’s most popular online Lenten devotion.
So, what can you do to help remedy this situation, dear friend of Lent Madness? Why, you can post your own review on the Lent Madness Facebook page! First “like” the page by clicking here. Then scroll down on the right side of the page to the section titled “Share your opinion about Lent Madness!” Click the number of stars you’d rate us (hint: five; but be honest) and leave a comment if you feel so moved.
Together, we can correct this travesty of justice and restore the reputation of Lent Madness. Your stars matter!
Is a “celebrity bloger” something that a celebrity might find in her or his tissue? Gesundheit, y’all!
Susan,
I thought the same thing and I second that Gesundheit!!
surely something unexpected happened to the writer – perhaps a hiccup or sneeze..and control of the stars was lost …it is not too late to rectify..just push three more stars..Thank You…
The sneeze idea would also account for the spelling.
What is meant by “Panned?”
“Panned” just means that they were given a bad review. It is usually used in the context of critics’ reviews of theater productions.
Doused in olive oil and grilled over a satanic heat!
Mmm. Makes me crave a vegan grilled cheese.
I’d go on facebook to like Lent Madness but I gave facebook up for Lent. I’d give it 5 stars, honestly I would.
One of the recent write-ups of a saint (I think it was yesterday’s but I honestly cannot remember) actually made me laugh!
This is my third year of reading Lent Madness, which I so enjoy. Through the game I am learning interesting facts about important people in the history of Christendom.
By the way, I don’t vote…but I enjoy seeing who’s progressing in the competition.
I too am off FB for Lent…realizing how addicted I am.
I’m curious about why you don’t vote, Karen, since you obviously enjoy the information about the contenders…
Gave you five stars. You bring Jesus to the fence sitters in California.
You are always worthy of five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! I’m certain the rating in question was struck in error.
Fake news.
I am appalled that this righteous website could receive only 2 stars! I give it 5!
Obviously a Russian hacker.
I’m glad I don’t use Facebook like this! Avoid many unpleasant things.
After leaving my 5 star review, I see we are up to 4.9.
The Lent Madness page now has five more shiny stars and hangs proudly on the refrigerator door of my heart.
“Like”!!
If I hadn’t given up Facebook for Lent I would definitely give it *****.
Done!
At least he read it. Its Fun and remember you can’t please all the people all of the time. I don’t read you on face book I read your emails and yes its a 5.
Don’t be so sensitive, they took time to say something; perhaps they knew a low rating would get you to respond. It worked
I do not do FaceBook nor do I tweet so I have to resort to making a Comment. This particular writer/reviewer who cannot spell, is obviously not an informed or educated contributor (a real FaceBook waste of time!). Therefore I suggest you totally ignore the blog; as was mentioned above it is merely something one would find in a tissue.
I applaud the program, its research, its graphics and its easy-to-use site. I give Lenten Madness * * * * * stars.
Of course you’re worthy of five stars, Lent Madness! How could anyone think otherwise?
Well, a good review and it translates into a 2? I think they were doing the stars backwards.
Also learn something new about the Saintly Saints. 5 stars for me.
Attention to detail is sorely lacking here. The theme, though, is clearly damnation by faint praise….
Not sure why this is upsetting to the Lenten Madness Committee. Does what people think of you mean more than the purpose of the site? Does the number of stars matter more than the myriads of people who are learning from your website? The number of voters alone signals that you have a grateful following. Remember, it is His name we praise and His kingdom that we build – not our own.
Ummmm. You may have noticed the satirical nature of the bombastically named Supreme Executive Committee?
I can’t imagine what you mean, Tim.
Which of the SEC anonymously voted 2 starts to cause click bait and get us all rating the website? 🙂
😀
I don’t know, Dave, Clinton, but I’m not falling for it! Fake news.
I too have given Facebook up for Lent. Miss my grandchildren’s pictures but am free from political banter. 5 stars for Lenten Madness!
If you ask me, the first true controversy was the shocking lack of votes for St. Cecilia. Heavy sigh…
I would still give Lent Madness five stars though. St. Cecilia would be upset if I didn’t!
Lent has never been more productive. Great fun too!!
I noticed when I went to comment, two stars were at the top of the page. I clicked on the next star and it lit up . I think the person wrote the post but didn’t know you had to keep touching the other stars to move them to excellent. This would make sense as the review was a good review. That’s my detective work for the day.
Like John of Nepumuk, one of today’s saints, 5 Stars shine over Lenten Madness.
I really enjoy Lent Madness. I will note here that I don’t “give up” during this season, but I “take on.”—kindness, compassion, forgiveness, understanding, patience, love, more giving.
I think the Lent Madness with the different people discussed is fun and informative. I give it five stars.
Grace, it is just a personal choice of a conscientious observer. Next year, perhaps…
Maybe this person lives in a alternate reality!
Don’t cry. Even Jesus only got One Star.
Yes, It was a Star of One-der! (That’s wonder, not o-nee-der for “That Thing You Do!” fans :))
You get 5 from me. Some people cannot be satisfied unless they knock someone else down. Hisssssssssss, Boooooooo! Whoever you are. Not funny.
That’s just not very nice. You guys are hilarious and make learning about these people very fun. I give you a 5 for sure!
Sadly I cannot help as I gave up Facebook for Lent! Please know while I mourn this untruthful post I cannot break my fb silence …. sigh ….
I laugh….I do! And learn some too!
Face facts: “celebrity” is dependent on who is celebrating what. Ok, the writers for Lent Madness are not Lindsey Lohan / Caitlyn Jenner league celebrities, but Lent Madness DOES have people WE celebrate, and who deserve to be celebrated for reasons WE feel are important, writing up the entries and comments.
Some people claim that Christians are narrow-minded, but anyone who thinks that the only way a person is entitled to the title of “celebrity” is to be on the cover of People magazine… has a mind that has very narrowly defined the word “celebrity”… aka, is narrow-minded.
Peace. And 5-stars..
I really enjoy Lent Madness
Fun way to learn of saints we are unfamiliar with. Let the Madness continue.
I bet the person meant to hit 4 stars and got the rating backward. I give the fb page 5 stars
I just LOVE Lent Madness! You two are such fun, hilarious priests! I give you 5-stars for
sure!!!
I’d’ve thought a celebrity bloger would simply be an American misspelling of something to do with Quidditch.
No, that’s a “bludger.” Cormac McLaggen (who only thought he was a celebrity) hit one at Harry Potter in “Half-Blood Prince.” You might be thinking of a boggart but that’s not exactly right either. A boggart might choose to assume the appearance of a celebrity.
Since my American friends misspell honour, labour, colour and neighbour, I thought they may also misspell bludger. (That was the joke, you see.)
I’m enjoying Lent madness. Unfortunately, I have to go to the webpage to participate. Multiple tries to activate my email have been unsuccessful. Can something be done to correct the situation?
Oh come on~you can handle 2 stars among all the previous 4& 5’s!! I think Christ got a couple bad reviews as did many of the saints you’ve posted did in their time…Lent madness is fun! Keep it that way. Everyone is allowed to feel what they do……& like you said it was most likely in error.
Anyway…..
Love Lent Madness as a first time participant. Adds to my Lenten devotional experience.
Obviously Russian hackers!
A delightful way to start the day
with chuckles and saintly capers!
It’s so much fun,
don’t come undone
because of poorly writ ‘papers.’
I know, I know. . . but it rhymed! Build on it! LOL
Hey! Who won yesterday–Raymond or John?? Can’t find it, and Monday is 48 hours away!
https://www.lentmadness.org/2017/03/raymond-nonnatus-vs-john-of-nepomuk/
Scroll down below the write ups and above the comments were you’ll find the answer.
This is yet another reason I am so, so glad I’m not on Facebook nor Twitter. Why would you take this seriously? In the aeons of God’s time, what does a small thing like Facebook really matter? Ask yourself why this matters so much. The SEC has a place in my heart: charming, funny and deeply committed Christians. What else matters?
Sarcasm matters to the SEC apparently. 😉
Sneezegate
Hmmm, heightened sensitivity to (perceived) negative comment, attempts to manipulate the, obviously dishonest press which falsely reported the 2 stars, “violent” knee jerk reaction to ONE “negative” comment. . . . Is our beloved SEC nefariously signalling a shift of policy alignment? If they were not so obsessed with bogus conspiracy theories, the SEC could just deny the 2 star rating exists, that is, unless there is a hidden agenda. . . . And, given Malcolm French’s comment above, I suspect that we have been hacked by the Brits! Is the SEC complicit in that hacking as suggested by Dave Clinton? Enquiring minds want to know!
You people off Facebook for Lent? I’ve been off Facebook for two years. I dislike the FB culture.