Today, April 27, is the memorial of Saint Zita.
Patron saint of maids and domestic helpers.
Around the year 1212, Zita was born to a very poor but pious family. When Zita turned 12, she was hired as a house-helper for the rich Fatinelli family in Lucca, Italy. For Zita, her employment was an opportunity to serve the God.
Zita would often give away her own meals to the poor. At times, the excess food of her employer she would give away. It annoyed her employer somewhat, more so her fellow servants. Still, her boss found her trustworthy and efficient, and assigned Zita to take charge of the house. Her employer entrusted her with the house keys.
One time, Zita was so absorbed in prayer that she remained in church past the usual hour of her bread-making. She went home as fast as she could. When she got home, bread was already in the oven. Zita thought her master or fellow maids baked the bread. When Zita tried to thank them, both her master and fellow servants denied ever doing such a thing. As it turned out, angels were the ones baking the bread while Zita was out praying.
She attended daily Mass before beginning her duties, and would go to a nearby monastery to pray in private. Her reputation was such that Dante in the “Inferno” referred to the city of Lucca as “Santa Zita”.
At the moment of her death in 1272, a bright star appeared above her attic.
Zita was beatified in 1652 by Pope Leo X. She was canonized in 1696 by Pope Benedict XIV.
Her body, which has remained incorrupt, is on display for public veneration at the Church of San Frediano, Lucca, Italy.