St. Zita

Zita (27 April 1272), also known as Sitha or Citha, is an Italian saint, the patroness saint of maids and domestic servants. She is often appealed to in order to help find lost keys.

Zita commenced her employment in domestic service at the age of 12 and dedicated nearly five decades to serving the same family.

Life Zita was born in Tuscany in Monte Sagrati, a village not far from Lucca. Her parents were Giovanni and Buonissima Lombardo. Her maternal uncle, Graziano, was a hermit who dwelt on a neighbouring mountain where he had built a church and a shelter for travellers.

At the age of 12, Zita became a servant in the household of the Fatinellis, a wealthy family of silk merchants. Zita gave away her own food during a famine, and then gave away food belonging to her master. When he remonstrated with her, the pantry was discovered to be fully stocked.

There are various versions of the miracle of the loaves. On one morning, Zita left her chore of baking bread either to tend to someone in need (or was deep in prayer in her room). She returned to find loaves all ready set and prepared in the kneading-trough (or already baked). Neither the other servants nor the mistress knew who had prepared the bread, so it was commonly attributed to angels.

Zita was exhumed in 1580, and discovered to be incorrupt. The body is on display for public veneration in the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca.

Guilds were established in St Zita's honour to provide homes for servants who were temporarily out of work, to care for those aged or incurably ill, and to provide terms of long service.

Patronage and legacy Zita is the patroness saint of domestic workers, housekeepers, waitresses, and household chores. Her feast day is 27 April. From 1890 to 2000 St. Zita's Home for Friendless Women in Manhattan provided food, clothing, shelter, and job training for destitute women.