Catch the Madness! Who will win the Golden Halo?

Lent Madness began in 2010 as a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. This unique Lenten devotion borrows the format of college basketball's March Madness and combines it with a passion for the lives of the saints!

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 online 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 Faithful 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 the “celebrity bloggers” offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.

To help you along the way there are weekly Monday Madness videos, and the Saintly Scorecard, an annual publication containing all 32 first round bios, and an essential Vocabulary List to decipher all things Lent Madness.

The activity has inspired thousands of people by forming an online community of people who are passionate about taking their faith(but not themselves too seriously. 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. If this helps people connect with the risen Christ, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it continues to be worthwhile! Consider participate fully this Lent and may the “best” Saint win!

You can be a part of the Madness!

- Pick up a Lent Madness scorecard (with a fold-out bracket) and read up on your favorite saints! You can find them in the office or get one from Garrett.

- Make your best guesses and fill out a bracket and turn it in to Garrett. The person whose bracket comes the closest to the final results will win a fabulous commemorative prize.

- During Lent, follow along daily and vote for your favorite saints!. "Like" Lent Madness on Facebook or go to www.lentmadness.org to sign up for a daily email featuring the saintly match up for the day!