Lent Madness - It's All About "The Golden Halo"

I came across a website yesterday that you must see to believe! It is entitled Lent Madness. It is a marvelous and engaging way to learn about the Saints that we celebrate in the Church. Plus, you can participate in the “Madness” and perhaps even be awarded the coveted “Golden Halo.” What follows is taken from the Lent Madness website. I hope you will join along in the fun and learn something about these great and inspiring men and women who followed the call of Christ.

About Lent Madness

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 on his blog “Clergy Family Confidential.”

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.

We hope this will make Lent Madness 2012 even more lively, allow more voices to be heard, and broaden the audience of this Lenten discipline. What won’t change is the essence of Lent Madness: allowing people to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith and reminding one another that there’s no reason for a dreary Lenten discipline. If this helps people connect with the risen Christ during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it continues to be worthwhile.

We hope you’ll participate fully this Lent and vote with reckless abandon! (Once — this isn’t Chicago).

Check out the appealing website here: Lent Madness

I hope you will participate. I already have my Final Four Saints selected and ready to go. Who needs the NCAA Tournament?!!

Love One Another - Brian