Category Archives: First Round
Monnica vs. Augustine of Hippo
After a long, painfully slow weekend without Lent Madness (local support groups are cropping up everywhere), we welcome you back to another week of saintly action. Today marks the long-anticipated epic oedipal battle between mother and son — which may just be the definition of Lent Madness! As one of our Celebrity Bloggers has pointed […]
William Law vs. Columba
After two gut-wrenchingly close battles involving saints named Thomas, the week’s final match-up features an evangelical 18th century Anglican and a man closely linked to Ireland and Scotland. Thomas the Apostle and Enmegahbowh faced off in an epic see-saw battle that wasn’t decided until the wee hours (or early hours depending on your global location). In […]
Thomas vs. Enmegahbowh
For the second straight day we get a man named Thomas opposed by a saint with a fantastic name. In 24 hours we’ve gone from Merton to the Apostle; from Philander to Enmegahbowh. But, of course, in Lent Madness saints don’t emerge victorious by fanciful names alone. Otherwise Engelbert Humperdinck would be canonized and win the Golden Halo. […]
Thomas Merton vs. Philander Chase
In today’s match-up we get a 20th century monk/best-selling author with a lot of letters after his name versus a 19th century missionary bishop with what just might be the best name in Lent Madness (Enmegahbowh may beg to differ). Will the Kenyon College students and alums rally to put Philander Chase over the top? Or will the many […]
John Huss vs. Mary Magdalene
Today we have an early Reformer of the Church versus one of Jesus’ first disciples. It is precisely such odd juxtapositions that make Lent Madness so much fun. Will John Huss be re-martyred in the next 24 hours? Or will Mary Magdalene have her name further besmirched? Only time, and your one vote, will tell. […]
Ephrem of Edessa vs. Thomas Cranmer
Lent Madness continues this morning with an intriguing (aren’t they all?) match-up between Ephrem of Edessa and Thomas Cranmer. Will the “Harp of the Holy Spirit” be played by the author of the first Book of Common Prayer? Only you and the next 24 hours will decide. In recent action, David Oakerhater bested Martin of […]
David Oakerhater prevails
In a very close race, David Oakerhater has just defeated Martin of Porres in the first round of Lent Madness. Oakerhater will go on to face the winner of Thomas vs. Enmegahbowh in the second round. There is no more voting today. The polls open at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday with Ephrem […]
David Oakerhater vs. Martin of Porres
Today’s match-up features two men who broke down barriers of race and bigotry in their own days — good luck choosing sides. It is also the only battle that will take place on a Saturday — we’ll be sticking strictly to Mondays through Fridays from here on out. After five days of nail-biting drama, it’s […]
Jerome vs. John Patteson
Today’s matchup is a battle between two learned gentlemen separated by 14 centuries. While both were great linguists, one sat around translating Scripture and became a hermit (Jerome) while the other went to New Zealand to become a bishop and martyr (Patteson). So, would you rather be a hermit or a martyr? Or a martyred […]
Joan of Arc vs. Lancelot Andrewes
Well, friends, after all the hype and all the anticipation and all the pageantry of the opening ceremonies (oh, did you miss that? Madonna sang “40 Days and 40 Nights”), Lent Madness 2012 is now upon us. Our first match-up is between a learned bishop and a young peasant girl born nearly 150 years apart. […]
