Zita was born in 1218 in Italy, in a small village near Lucca. At the age of 12, the young girl entered the service of a noble family, the Fatinellis, in Lucca as a servant. She remained there for 48 years, until her death in 1278. Although at the beginning of her employment she was subjected to many humiliations by the family and the other servants, these pettinesses were soon transformed into admiration for her unshakeable goodness and faith. Those who come to her are given food, drink and clothing. The poor and marginalized made her funeral a great show of sympathy. She was immediately venerated as a saint. In 1958, Pope Pius XII named her "universal patron saint of domestic workers". Her mummified body lies in the church of San Frediano in Lucca.
Source:
● Sr Brigitte Schneiders: "Wer war die heilige Zita...", Kompress, no. 1/July 04, Zeitung vum ZITHA-Group, p. 6.