April 27, 2024
A reading from
the holy Gospel according to John14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
April 27, 2024
Saint Who?
Saints Whose Bodies Resisted Corruption
Saint Zita
Laywoman († 1278)Feast: April 27
Zita (also known as Sitha) was born in the early 13th century in Italy. At twelve, she became a servant in the home of the wealthy Fatinelli family. Here she found time, by rising very early, to cultivate a robust prayer life, including daily Mass. She was industrious and careful, seeing her work as an opportunity for penance and virtue. “Work-shy piety,” she remarked, “is sham piety.”
At first, Zita’s employers did not appreciate her, perhaps on account of the envious tongues of fellow servants. She was mocked and abused, but her patient goodness at last won the respect and confidence of the household. Her employers made her chief housekeeper and gave her the care of their own children. Thus promoted, she was merciful to those who had mistreated her.
Zita remained devoted to daily Mass. When her town lay under an interdict—meaning no Mass was allowed to be celebrated there—she braved the considerable dangers of travel so she could continue to receive Communion. She died around the age of sixty and was quickly hailed as a saint. Devotion to her was approved in the 1500s, and in 1580 her body was found to be incorrupt. It still lies, though now mummified, in the basilica of Saint Frediano in Lucca. She is the patron of domestic workers.
Almighty Father, may we, like Saint Zita,
be strengthened by the Eucharist to turn our daily drudgery into life-giving service.
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