Sometimes saints get paired against one another simply because their names rhyme and we like the sound of them together. Like Rita and Zita. These two saints also have
this in common: they were both faithful Italian women who lived out their lives in the Middle Ages. Also, their names both rhyme with pita.
Yesterday, Ambrose of Milan flew past William Byrd 65% to 35% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
And, by the way, if you watched Jeopardy! last night, you may have noticed that one of the contestants was Lent Madness Celebrity Blogger David Sibley. Congrats to David on a big win in the Tournament of Champions! We're all very proud of you. And hope you get some saint questions in the next round.
Vote now!
Rita
St. Rita was born Margherita Lotti in Cascia, Italy in 1381. She was born to pious parents and at a young age wanted to join a convent and become a nun. When she was 12 years old, her parents forced her to marry.
Her husband was abusive and violent. She bore two boys and, in spite of awful conditions at home, she was an exemplary wife and mother.
Her husband was not only violent at home but also with others. He was involved in a long running feud with another family. Ultimately he was stabbed and killed by a rival. At his funeral, Rita publicly pardoned his murderers.
After his death, her sons wanted revenge and were encouraged by her husband’s brother to continue to feud. In addition to praying for peace, Rita also worked hard to teach her boys the way of forgiveness and peace. They continued the feud for about a year when they both died of dysentery. Some saw their death as an answer to her prayers.
After the death of her husband and boys, Rita wanted to finally join the convent. Her request was refused, as they were worried that she was not a virgin. They were also troubled by the long-standing feud her husband had engaged in and his subsequent violent death.
Ultimately bubonic plague struck the family enemy and caused him to relinquish the feud he had with her family. The conflict was resolved and at age 36 Rita was given permission to join the monastery.
She lived her last years with great austerity and engaged in self-mortification. When Rita was about 60, she was meditating on the crucifixion and developed a bleeding wound on her forehead. She is often depicted in art with a thorn and this partial stigmata.
Rita died of tuberculosis in 1457. Pope Leo XIII canonized her as the Patroness of Impossible Causes. She is more popularly known as the patron saint of abused wives and heartbroken women. Her feast day is May 22.
Collect for Rita
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Rita, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Zita
Today I whispered a prayer to St. Zita as I struggled to find my keys. Had Steve Jobs been a Catholic, he might have named the AirTag the Zita, as she is the patron saint of lost keys.
Born around 1212 in Tuscany, Italy, Zita not only keeps watch over missing keys, but she also serves as the patron saint of household chores, housekeepers, waitresses, domestic servants, and maids, and also the town of Lucca, Italy. Placed into servitude at a young age, Zita was a kind, compassionate, and dedicated individual despite a miserable life of beatings and abuse. She is known as the “incorruptible” as no matter how hard her fellow servants tried to discredit her, she would turn the other cheek and seek kindness first. She is also known as “incorruptible” as her body was found to be fully intact following exhumation.
Zita practiced the sacrament of giving. She is known for giving a third of her wages to her family, saving a third for herself, and giving the remaining third to the poor. These stories of giving surround Zita. Including one story where it is said she took bread from the castle to give to the poor. She was betrayed by jealous servants, and upon inspection, she was found to be carrying flowers. Another story reports her giving away the castle’s pantry stores to beggars, and yet on inspection, the pantry was full. An additional tale describes her baking bread and then freely giving the bread to the hungry. Zita’s story is one of giving. Giving food, giving alms, giving time, and giving grace. Something we can all serve to emulate.
Zita died April 27, 1272. Upon her death, it is said that the bells in Lucca rang spontaneously as Zita passed to heaven. Over 150 miracles are attributed to the work of Zita. In 1580, Zita was exhumed, and her body was found to be incorrupt. She was later canonized in 1696 and her body is on display at in Lucca, Italy.
The Episcopal Church recognized Zita as a saint in 2020 with a feast day of April 27. In Lucca, the town amasses flowers and bread to recognize her life. We can best celebrate her life by living our own in service to others.
Collect for Zita
Merciful God, who has given to us all things necessary for life and godliness; Grant that we, like your servant Zita, may be faithful in the exercise of our duties and that, whatever you give us to do, we may do it heartily to you for the honor and glory of your Name; through him who has called us to virtue, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (LFF 2022)
— Anna Courie
86 comments on “Rita vs. Zita”
As an abused women my heart went out to Rita, and she also had an edge because it is my confirmation name. However, she lost me at the self-mortification, and it didn't really seem like she did anything beyond that. So in the end I went with Zita. God knows I need some saintly help with housework!
Like some other commenters, I'm repulsed at the concept of self-mortification. But I feel immense compassion for Rita, who probably suffered pretty severe PTSD as a result of a lifetime of abuses on every level. Unresolved trauma can cause aberrant behaviors, so Rita has my respect and my vote.
And we think a 10% tithe is a lot!!
Oh my stars...today's decision is really a hard one. On one hand, we have the patron saint of Impossible Causes as well as patron saint of abused women. On the other hand, we have the patron saint of lost keys and housekeepers, domestic workers, and maids. Having worked with abused people of all ilks and having been a minister walking the path with folks broken in sprite and in body, I stand in awe of Rita and her mission among the downtrodden. I also strongly relate to Zita as I tear through the house looking for lost keys. I'm not at all an organized worker who can put a house to order in no time. So...time to make a decision....St. Rita spoke the loudest to me today so she gets my vote.
I was going to vote for Rita as I knew her story as the patroness of lost causes and abused women. But ,though I know it is different times, I find the emphasis on virginity and rejection of worldly goods overly zealous. How much better the story of Zita who lived a life of service and sacrifice
I voted for Rita. The tale of Zita taking food from the castle to give to the poor, and, when her basket was searched, it was found to be full of flowers, is also the story of a queen who did the same thing. Sounds like Zita is doing some “story stealing.”
This was a tough choice as both women are incredibly admirable for their beautiful witness to God despite the circumstances of their lives. I picked Rita because she knew at age 12 she wanted to live in a convent, and after having to endure an abusive spouse and sons who didn't share her understanding of God's forgiveness, she still went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a nun. She endured so many roadblocks along the way and remained faithful.
As a chronic loser of keys, I have to vote for Zita.
I have to say I am not a fan of the way the Lent Madness website has been set up the last couple of years. It has become nearly impossible for me to vote using an iPad.
Zita. For the keys.
Just letting you know of a weird thing…didn’t see my LM email this morning; checked Junk file and not there. I did vote from the website, but just checked mail now before bed and the Rita/Zita email arrived here at 11:16 PM!
Guess we’ll blame Xfinity/Comcast since I don’t see any other complaints in the comments. Easier to lay at the feet of Big Communications than the beloved SEC!
Wow, two of the hardest saints to choose from yet! I too almost voted for Rita. But when she went from being an abuse victim to living the remainder of her life in the convent she had also long wanted to join then continued the cycle by engaging in self-abuse and a life of total austerity, I agreed with many other comments on how different things may have been for her had there been therapy around. I also had some reservations about Zita at first mostly due to the phrase "taking food from the castle" in that my mind immediately went to the meaning of the phrase today and to be honest, it was quite hard to justify stealing as a way of giving to the poor. When I stopped and looked up the story of the queen who did the same thing and the story was worded a little different then considered the miracle of the flowers in the basket as well, I then finally decided on Zita. Also, off the subject and I don't know whether it's on the server's end, or mine but it seems to be taking several minutes for typing to even show on the screen as I am attempting to write this comment!
Thank you for introducing these interesting women to us. I voted for Zita, as did many others. In my case it was because of her generosity toward others, in spite of a very difficult life.
Definitely Zita over Rita in the published vote results!!