Saint Who?
Saints Who Worked with Their Hands
Saint Zita of Lucca
Virgin († c. 1271) Feast: April 27
Zita was born in a village near Lucca, Italy. She was a pious child from a pious family; one of her sisters became a nun, and an uncle lived as a hermit. When she was twelve years old, she was sent away to work as a servant in the household of a wealthy family.
Even though Zita was a lowly maid, she shared the food she was given with beggars. She also rose early to pray and attended daily Mass. Some of the other servants mocked her piety, made up stories to get her in trouble, and tried to test her with foul language. After years of witnessing Zita’s unfailing patience, the entire household recognized her as a saint. At this point, miracles began to occur. For example, Zita had been quietly taking from the household’s supply of beans and giving them to those who were hungry and poor. When the master of the house decided to inspect the bean supply, Zita was certain her bad-tempered employer would be furious. However, he inexplicably found a full storeroom.
Zita never married and eventually became the housekeeper, beloved by servants and employers alike. She died after a lifetime as a simple household servant and blameless example of charity.
God our Father, show us how to serve others with patience and humility.
