St. Zita

St. Zita was born in the beginning of the thirteenth century into a poor but holy Christian family in Italy.  At the age of twelve Zita became a housekeeper for a rich weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her home at Monte Sagrati. She stayed with that family for the last forty-eight years of her life. She found time every day to attend Mass and to recite many prayers, as well as to carry out her household duties so perfectly that the other servants were jealous of her.

At first, her employers were upset by her generous gifts of food to the poor, but in time, they were completely won over by her patience and goodness and she became a very close friend. St. Zita often visited the sick and those in prison. She was sought out by the important people, and at her death in 1278 the people acclaimed her as a saint.

She is the patroness of domestic workers. Her feast day is April 27.