Humor is not absent from Lent. “Lent Madness” is a great example. It’s… well, it’s hard to describe; here’s how the founders tell the story:
Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born …
The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Final Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.
If you click over to the Lent Madness website, you’ll see today’s competition is Ephrem of Edessa vs. Thomas Cranmer . There’s also a full bracket to download. It’s fun, but educational as well.
Who is your pick for the Golden Halo?
