Saint Zita
Domestic servant of Lucca who stayed with one household for almost her whole life
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Layperson, Virgin
- Life
- 1212 – 1272
- Era
- 13th century
- Feast
- 27 April
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Zita was born in the early thirteenth century (around 1212 by the usual estimate) at Monte Sagrati, near Lucca in Tuscany, to a poor family. At twelve she went into service with the Fatinelli, a wealthy family of Lucca, and in time was put in charge of the household's affairs. She remained with them for the rest of her life, bearing with patience the ill treatment of some of her fellow servants.
She died in Lucca on 27 April, in 1271 according to the Catholic Encyclopedia and in 1272 according to other sources.
Many other legends are attached to her, such as bread turning into flowers, loaves appearing overnight and water becoming wine; the stories vary in the telling and cannot be treated as history. A popular cult grew soon after her death. In 1580 her tomb in San Frediano was opened and her body was reported to be incorrupt; it is now displayed in the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca.
Church recognition came in stages: Pope Leo X approved an office in her honour in the early sixteenth century, and in 1696 Innocent XII solemnly approved her cult. Sources describe the 1696 act sometimes as confirmation of the cult and sometimes as canonization, so its exact nature is unclear.
Works and witness
- Entered service with the Fatinelli family of Lucca at twelve
- Remained in that household for the rest of her life
- Bore ill treatment from fellow servants with patience
- Her cult was confirmed in 1696
- Her body is displayed in San Frediano, Lucca
Patron of
Domestic servants, The city of Lucca
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Zita" (newadvent.org/cathen/15762a.htm)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.