Well, folks, we've run out of letters of the alphabet. So for the remainder of the Round of 32 we'll be catching some ZZZZs with the next three battles pitting Z vs. Z. We kick things off with Katharina Zell taking on Zenaida. Reformer vs. early Christian.
On Friday, in a hotly contested battle, Zechariah snuck past Yvette of Huy 52% to 48% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
Look for a BRAND NEW Monday Madness video from Christian and Michael later today. And in the meantime...
Vote now!
Katharina Zell
Sure, you’ve heard of Martin Luther. You might have even heard of Philip Melanchthon, Martin Bucer, or Johannes Bugenhagen.
But what about Katharina Schütz Zell?
Nicknamed the “Mother Reformer,” Katharina was one of the most prominent women of the Protestant Reformation, a prolific writer, and one of the first and most daring models of the pastor’s wife.
She was born around 1498 in Strasbourg, in what is now France, where she lived her whole life and attended St. Lawrence Cathedral. A year after Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, a new pastor named Matthew Zell took charge of the cathedral and began sharing Luther’s teachings. Katharina not only adopted those teachings; she married the pastor.
This was a controversial move, coming years before Luther himself married. Newlyminted Protestants believed clergy were free to marry—in theory. But to do so was heretical in the Catholic Church, and there were no examples to look to.
The Zells’ marriage was a remarkably equal partnership at a time when wives were expected to be silent and obedient. (The Protestant Reformation didn’t change everything.) Katharina viewed it as a vocation. Scholar Elsie McKee writes, “Katharina Schütz was convinced that she was called to marry Matthew Zell as an expression of her faith in God and her love for others.” The couple had two children, both of whom died very young.
Katharina’s vocation also included hosting prominent Reformers and other Protestant refugees forced to flee religious persecution, and writing pamphlets essential in spreading the Reformers’ message. Her best-known work was an open letter– turned–pamphlet titled “Defending Clerical Marriage.”
Luther was personally familiar with Katharina’s writing. Bucer called her “as Godfearing and courageous as a hero,” and Huldrych Zwingli said of her, “She combines the graces of both Mary and Martha.”
But not everybody admired her outspokenness, and the pastor who succeeded her husband in Strasbourg derided her as a “disturber of the peace of the church.” Katharina wrote, “I am convinced that if I agreed with our preachers in everything I would be called the most pious and knowledgeable woman born in Germany. But since I disagree I am called an arrogant person and, as many say (perjoratively), Doctor Katharina.”
The Mother Reformer died on September 5, 1562, and The Episcopal Church remembers her on the day of her death.
Collect for Katharina Zell
Almighty God, whose servant Katharina Zell toiled for the reform of your church both in word and in deed: Fill us with the wisdom to speak out in defense of your truth, with love for you and for our neighbor, that we may serve you and welcome all your people with a mother’s heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Zenaida
Zenaida and her sister Philonella are honored on April 14 as the first Christian physicians to practice after Luke the Evangelist. Together with Hermione, the three women claim the title, “The Mothers of Modern Medicine.” Zenaida’s story is one of self-determination, collaboration, and pious generosity.
Zenaida and her sister were born in first-century Tarsus to a well-educated Jewish family. The two sisters pursued education in philosophy and medicine in their hometown. Their cousin Paul was an Apostle, and their brother Jason was the first local bishop, evidence of strong familial call to follow Jesus. At some point, both sisters converted to the Christian faith and were baptized. Zenaida and her sister used the blessing of their education to bless others.
In nearby Thessaly, there was a hot spring known for its healing properties. Pagan adherents had established many shrines there to Asclepius, the god of healing. People in search of healing traveled to the area to pay for medical interventions and buy magical amulets and charms. Due to the high cost of care, most visitors to the area were wealthy. Zenaida and her sister packed up their lives and moved permanently to Thessaly to establish a different, more egalitarian kind of healing ministry.
The sisters set up a chapel and medical clinic; there, they offered medical services free of charge to everyone in need. They were the first “unmercenary” saints—doctors who did not accept payment for their services. Instead, they urged their clients to pray in thanksgiving to God. Zenaida specialized in pediatrics and psychiatric healthcare, especially depression. Unlike others in the area, the three women approached their vocation from a counter-culturally scientific angle, striving to separate factual medicine from superstition as best they could. They wove prayer into every aspect of their work, healing not only bodies but also souls.
The two sisters worked together for their entire lives, running their medical center and welcoming all in need. Their ministry attracted travelers from all over the region. Tales abound regarding the ends of their lives, so their fate is shrouded in mystery. Some claim that Zenaida and Philonella suffered martyrdom, being stoned to death by a mob. Others claim that Zenaida lived a long life, dying peacefully before her sister, who carried on their legacy. Still others claim Zenaida died by stepping on a nail.
Regardless of their ends, the sisters’ legacy is profound. To this day, they are venerated as feminist icons in medicine. By subverting the healthcare economics of their time, Zenaida and Philonella offer to modern Christians inspiration for reimagining our own medical systems.
Collect for Zenaida
Merciful God, whose most dear Son came to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and preach good news to the poor: Lead us by the example of your servants, Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione, to freely give even as we have freely received; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
64 comments on “Katharina Zell vs. Zenaida”
Zenaida was a physician who took care of the poor for free. That is established fact. The end of her life is shrouded in legend, but that doesn't detract from her very real contributions.
If Zenaida was here, I am certain
She’d be siding with those that are hurtin’
For it sure gives one pause
When a huckster named Oz
Says there’s nothing to see past that curtain.
Difficult decision today. Whilst I admire Katharine immensely and recognise the treatment she endured for being a confident, educated, articulate woman, my vote goes to Zenaida and her sister for their countercultural approach to medical care and commitment to facts rather than superstition. My vote is also in thanksgiving for the NHS, free at the point of need.
As a priest's wife I must vote for Zell.
Difficult choice today. I ended up voting for Zenaida out of sentiment - most of my mother's family were healers - nurses, doctors, medical tchnicians, paramedics, so one of the Mothers of Modern Medicine got the nod from me.
Finally! A worthy match up! Did we have to wait until the letter Z? Kudos to the writers who made these women and their lives and ministries real. IMHO we’ve had too many plaster saints this year.
Voted for Katharina whose story reminded me of my mother Catherine: she, too, married a priest and went on to serve the Church as an ‘unintentional missionary’ as they worked in the missionary field.
I used to say that the Church got a two-for-one in them.
Admin: for some reason it allowed me to vote for both!
Cannot vote...
Breaks my heart to have to vote against one of these. But with Zenaida I get three for the price of one. And free medical care.
(Although, to be fair, with Zell I would get a two-fer, since Matthew Zell was the source of Katharina's Z last name.)
This is an easy choice. My late wife was a physician, devout and compassionate. On her tomb: "Wife, Mother, Compassionate Physician." God is with her and Zenaida
I was inclined to Zell when I read that she married a priest when that would have been considered a sin. I was sold when I read: “I am convinced that if I agreed with our preachers in everything I would be called the most pious and knowledgeable woman born in Germany. But since I disagree I am called an arrogant person…” We need those standing up for the right in these times as well.
Zenaida got my vote today, thanks!
As an independent woman and clergy spouse of 45 years, how could I not vote for Katherine. Her life is a testimony for many of us, who (happily in my case) are volunteer promoters of the faith.
I like these two sisters. I was intrigued that they converted to Christianity and then left their home and began a health clinic! I would like to believe that the teachings of Jesus was their inspiration and not a ‘feminist inspiration’.
With a nod to Katharina Zell’s strong faith, strength of character, and accomplishments, I am voting for Zenaida today: We are very much in need of a subversion of the economics of our time!
Hard to choose, but I went with the early women physicians. They don’t seem to have set bones or operated. They seem more like herbalists and spiritual directors. But universal healthcare is a winner.
Today was tough! I decided to vote for Katherine Zell for her bravery, outspokenness, and the faith that allowed her to boldly be who she was in service to the church.
This was a tough one
The "Zs" are the hardest choice so far! Both Katherina and Zenaida are totally worthy!
I chose Katherina for her "Zealousness."
I'm voting for Katarina for the lasting effect she has had on the church, as well as her outspokenness.
I love Zenaida but I figured she would win so I voted for Katharina Zell instead. I think it is extremely important for ministers to be able to marry and have families. I loved the idea of Katharina Zell being a counterpoint to St. Gregory the Great since Gregory the Great is the reason priests are not allowed to get married.
Zenaida is an inspiration
I quite often see people saying that it was a hard choice when I thought that it was pretty clear cut. Today I found it hard to decide and eventually went for Katharina Zell because she had the courage to act on her convictions and break the mould.
Please feel free to tell me that the choice was easy for you today.
Hard choice today; both are great feminist icons. But physicians who upend the the pay for care system of medicine just hit a little closer today. Maybe tomorrow I would have chosen Zell's 'arrogance.'
Zenaida, for my vote. My newborn grandson's life was saved by doctors and nurses at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He contracted GBS, a strep infection, at 4 months. Blessing to those who care for the children.
As an emergency physician had to go with (Dr) Zenaida
But ashamed to admit I have never heard of these 3 feminist icons in
medicine - neither in medical school over 40 years ago nor in more recent studies of religion
Two great contenders this morning! Tough to send one of them to the showers.
Since we can no longer reply to others' comments (please fix this ;_;), I am posting a new comment replying to Story's statements that "Gregory the Great is the reason priests are not allowed to get married." No. This confuses our Lent Madness contestant, sixth-century Gregory the Great, with 11th-century Pope Gregory VII. (And even then, things were complicated!)
I agree with Susan Sica. Most days so far have been “Meh. Who cares?” But today is an awesome matchup. I wanted to vote for both, but in today’s world I had to go for facts rather than superstition. Zenaida got my vote.
This is tough one. Decided to go with Zenaida because our broken for-profit healthcare needs so much reform and help.
For those who are complaining about the slate of saints this year, 11 of the 32 (that's more than a third) were nominated by the Lent Madness community during Nominationtide 2024.