Saint Zita of Lucca

Biography

Saint Zita of Lucca, also known as Cita, Sita, Citha, or Sitha, was born in 1218 in Bozzanello, Monte Sagrate, Tuscany, Italy. She was born into a very poor but devoutly religious family, and from a young age, Zita displayed a strong sense of piety and charitable nature. At the age of twelve, Zita entered into the service of the wealthy Fainelli family in Lucca, Italy. Despite her humble position as a domestic servant, Zita viewed her work as a way to serve God and fulfill her purpose. Throughout her life, she remained in the service of the Fainelli family, dedicating herself to her duties with utmost devotion and diligence. Zita's selflessness and compassion were evident in her daily actions. She would often give her own food, and sometimes that of her master, to those who were poorer than herself. However, her generosity brought her both admiration and trouble. Her employers and other servants in the house resented her for her acts of charity, leading to frequent conflicts. Despite the challenges she faced, Zita's exemplary work ethic and kind-heartedness did not go unnoticed. Recognizing her dedication and efficiency, she was eventually entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the entire household, and she was given the keys to the house. Zita's reliability and trustworthiness were such that she became known as the servant with the keys. Zita's deep faith and devotion to God were the guiding forces in her life. Before beginning her duties each day, she made it a priority to attend daily Mass. She also sought solace in prayer and would often visit a nearby monastery to pray in solitude. Zita's reputation for holiness spread beyond the walls of the Fainelli household. She was widely respected in the city of Lucca, and her virtuous life left a lasting impact on the community. In fact, the renowned poet Dante Alighieri referred to the city as "Santa Zita" in his masterpiece, the Inferno, further solidifying her esteemed status. Saint Zita passed away on April 27, 1272, in Lucca, Italy, from natural causes. She was buried in the church of San Frediano in Lucca. In 1580, her tomb was rediscovered, and her remains were found to be incorrupt during the recognition proceedings. This extraordinary preservation served as a testament to her holiness and led to her beatification in 1652 by Pope Innocent X. Her canonization took place on September 5, 1696, under Pope Innocent XII. Additionally, Pope Benedict XIV added her to the Roman Martyrology in 1748. Zita was proclaimed the patron saint against losing keys and became the patron of butlers, domestic servants, homemakers, housemaids, lost keys, maids, manservants, people ridiculed for their piety, rape victims, servants, servers, single laywomen, and waiters. Saint Zita of Lucca's life serves as an inspiration and model of humility, faith, and selflessness. Her unwavering devotion to God and her fellow human beings reminds us of the true meaning of service and the impact of simple acts of kindness.