Zita of Tuscany, Worker of Charity, 1271

The Collect:

Rite I:
Merciful God, who hast given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness; Grant that we, like thy servant Zita, may be faithful in the exercise of our duties and that, whatsoever thou givest us to do, we may do it heartily unto thee for the honor and glory of thy Name; through him who hast called us to virtue, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Rite II:
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.

First Lesson: Exodus 1:15–21

¹⁵The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ¹⁶‘When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.’ ¹⁷But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. ¹⁸So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?’ ¹⁹The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’ ²⁰So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. ²¹And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

Psalm: Psalm 16

¹ Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
       I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord,
       my good above all other.”
² All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
       upon those who are noble among the people.
³ But those who run after other gods *
       shall have their troubles multiplied.
⁴ Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
       nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
⁵ O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
       it is you who uphold my lot.
⁶ My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
       indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
⁷ I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
       my heart teaches me, night after night.
⁸ I have set the Lord always before me; *
       because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
⁹ My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
       my body also shall rest in hope.
¹⁰ For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
       nor let your holy one see the Pit.
¹¹ You will show me the path of life; *
       in your presence there is fullness of joy,
       and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Gospel: Mark 12:41–44

⁴¹He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’ 

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