Zita
Zita was an Italian saint and the patroness of maids and domestic servants, born in Tuscany around 1212. She is remembered for her nearly five decades of service to a single family, her piety, and her charitable works, often invoked to help find lost keys.
- Feast Day
- April 27
- Century
- 13th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Zita commenced her employment in domestic service at the age of 12 and served the same family for nearly five decades.
- ›She was born in Monte Sagrati, a village near Lucca, in Tuscany.
- ›Zita gave a third of her wages to her parents, kept a third, and gave the rest to the poor.
- ›Legends associate her with miracles involving bread and water turning into wine.
- ›She died peacefully in the Fatinelli house on April 27, 1272, aged 60.
- ›Zita was canonized in 1696 after 150 miracles were attributed to her intercession.
Sitha, Citha
Maids, Domestic Servants, Lost Keys, Housekeepers, Waitresses, Household Chores
About Zita
Saint Zita
Saint Zita, also known as Sitha or Citha, was an Italian saint born around 1212 in Monte Sagrati, a village in Tuscany near Lucca. She is primarily venerated as the patroness saint of maids and domestic servants, and is frequently invoked for assistance in finding lost keys.
Life and Early Service
Zita commenced her employment in domestic service at the age of 12, dedicating nearly five decades to serving the same family, the Fatinellis, a wealthy family of silk merchants. Her parents were Giovanni and Buonissima Lombardo. Despite facing malice and misinterpretation from her fellow servants, who perceived her piety as posturing and her submissiveness as stupidity, Zita overcame their animosity through meek and humble self-restraint. She demonstrated exceptional charity by giving a third of her wages to her parents, keeping a third for herself, and dedicating the remainder to the poor. The mistress of the house eventually placed Zita in charge of the household's almsgiving, allowing her to visit and tend to the sick poor.
Miracles and Devotion
Legends associated with Zita include tales of her cloak miraculously producing flowers when she was carrying bread for the poor, and of pantries that remained inexplicably full despite her generous distribution of food during a famine. Another well-known miracle involves water she drew from a well for a beggar transforming into wine. Zita died peacefully in the Fatinelli house on April 27, 1272. After her death, a popular cult grew around her, particularly centered on the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca. Her incorrupt body was discovered upon exhumation in 1580 and is displayed for public veneration in Lucca.
Canonization and Legacy
Following attributions of 150 miracles through her intercession, Zita was canonized in 1696 by Pope Innocent XII. Pope Leo X had previously sanctioned a liturgical cult within the church in the early 16th century, and Pope Benedict XIV added her name to the Roman Martyrology in 1748. Her feast day is celebrated annually on April 27. Guilds were established in her honor to provide homes and care for servants. In England, she was known as Sitha and was invoked by maidservants and housewives, especially when dealing with lost keys or crossing rivers and bridges. In 2022, Zita was officially added to the Episcopal Church liturgical calendar with a feast day on April 27. From 1890 to 2000, St. Zita's Home for Friendless Women in Manhattan provided crucial support for destitute women.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Zita born and when did she die?
Saint Zita was born around 1212 and died on April 27, 1272. She lived to be approximately 60 years old.
What is Saint Zita the patron saint of?
Saint Zita is the patron saint of maids, domestic servants, housekeepers, waitresses, and household chores. She is also commonly invoked to help find lost keys.
What are some of the legends associated with Saint Zita?
Legends tell of Zita's cloak being filled with flowers when she was accused of carrying bread for the poor, and of pantries miraculously refilling. Another tale describes water turning into wine when she blessed it for a beggar.
Where is Saint Zita venerated?
Saint Zita is venerated in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Her body is on display for public veneration in the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca, Italy.
How long did Saint Zita work for the same family?
Saint Zita began her employment in domestic service at the age of 12 and dedicated nearly five decades, approximately 48 years, to serving the same family, the Fatinellis.
Related Saints
Casilda of Toledo
Saint Casilda of Toledo was a Muslim princess of Toledo who is venerated in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. She is remembered for her compassion towards Christian captives, to whom she smuggled bread, and for a miracle where this bread turned into roses. Her legend also includes her conversion and baptism after seeking healing waters in northern Iberia.
Valentine
Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century Roman clergyman martyred for his faith. He is remembered for his association with courtly love traditions that developed from his feast day in the High Middle Ages, and he is a patron saint of several causes.
Liberalis of Treviso
Saint Liberalis of Treviso was a 4th-century priest known for opposing Arianism and being persecuted. Legend states he was educated by Heliodorus of Altino and practiced extreme mortifications. His relics were moved to Treviso to protect them from invasions, and he later became the patron saint of Treviso and Castelfranco Veneto.