Let’s be completely honest – the idea for the Saintly Showdown is not new.
In February 2023 Deborah and Andrew were on holiday in the US and attended the Ash Wednesday service at Vail Interfaith Chapel. During the service Father Brooks mentioned something called “Lent Madness“; further investigation revealed that this is an annual event in which saints are pitted against each other in a series of public votes. After several rounds a winner emerges and is crowned with The Golden Halo.
“Sounds like a bit of fun”, they thought, “especially as our church at home is dedicated to All Saints”.
Further thought led them to decide to try to set up a similar operation at home in London. (Thinking is clearly dangerous and should not be attempted without supervision.)
Andrew contacted the Lent Madness Supreme Executive Committee (Rev. Tim Schenck, rector of the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida – jealous much? – and Rev. Canon Scott Gunn, the executive director of Forward Movement in Cincinnati, Ohio), and after an appropriate amount of thought, prayerful meditation and coffee the white smoke was seen and permission to copy their idea was given.
First things first: it’s just a bit of fun!
32 Saints are entered into a tournament-like single elimination competition (a bit like an FA Cup for the holy) and paired up to face-off against each other. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and you can vote for your favourite saint.
16 winning Saints will make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight will then advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Testifying Two; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.
Voting in each round will open at midnight and will close at 11.59pm the same day. The results will be announced as soon as we can work them out. Despite our premise, don’t expect miracles.
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 may even move into the area of saintly kitsch.
We’d like to encourage various holy (and perhaps not-so-holy) persons to champion their favourite Saints so that we can brand it as vaguely educational. If you think that you fit that wide-ranging bill please get in touch.
All questions, disputes and irritating “can I just point out”s will be determined by the organisers, and their decision is final whether you like it or not. Unless it’s anything theological or just slightly tricky, in which case we will pass the buck straight to the nearest vicar.
As Tim and Scott put it:
“As Lent Madness continues to grow and evolve, 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).”
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ashes made from palm crosses are blessed and are used to make crosses on people’s foreheads. The custom dates back to the middle ages.
Ash Wednesday services set the tone for Lent, with sombre readings and hymns and a focus on penitence (saying sorry for and turning away from sin).
You can read more about Lent and Easter on the Church Of England website.
Each year there are themed Lent resources from the Church of England; the Lent theme for 2025 is “Living Hope.”
