In a little village tucked into the marble mountains of Carrara near Lucca city, a little baby girl was born. Her name was Zita and she grew up happily in a humble peasant home, as content as if it were a grand castle! She and her parents worked hard but at times there was not always enough food to eat and poor little Zita would go hungry. But her father Giovanni Lombardo and her mother Buonissima made their home rich with love and she grew up a good and happy child.
When Zita was twelve years old, she prayed to God to help her find some work as a hand maiden so her parents wouldn't have to work so hard to put enough food on the table. And her wish soon came true as she got a job working as a maid in a noble family home in Lucca city.
When Zita was twelve years old, she prayed to God to help her find some work as a hand maiden so her parents wouldn't have to work so hard to put enough food on the table. And her wish soon came true as she got a job working as a maid in a noble family home in Lucca city.
The family house which took her in was Casa Fantenelli and although she was sad saying goodbye to her dear parents, she was happy to be contributing to the wishes of her new bosses. She worked hard and had only one request; that she be allowed to go to church every morning. Zita spent her free time giving kitchen scraps to the poor and caring for the sick and soon the people of Lucca, including her masters, grew deeply fond of her.
One Christmas morning as she left to go to church dressed in a thin gown as she had given her warmer clothes to the homeless, her master saw her leaving. He lent her his warm cloak to comfort her as she went to mass for which she thanked him gratefully.
But she met a shivering beggar outside the church and made him come inside to sit with her and she would lend him the coat during the service to warm himself up. But when the mass ended, Zita turned to find the beggar has disappeared!
One Christmas morning as she left to go to church dressed in a thin gown as she had given her warmer clothes to the homeless, her master saw her leaving. He lent her his warm cloak to comfort her as she went to mass for which she thanked him gratefully.
But she met a shivering beggar outside the church and made him come inside to sit with her and she would lend him the coat during the service to warm himself up. But when the mass ended, Zita turned to find the beggar has disappeared!
Frightened and wary, she returned to tell her master what had happened. As he shouted to her and she wept, she felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around. It was the beggar man but his face was so radiant and happy!
Zita knew immediately he was an angel sent by God and smiled as she knew the heavens were looking down gladly upon her. Her master was ashamed of his anger and resolved to be a nicer man, more like his faithful saint maid as she became known.
The people of Lucca knew they had a saint living among them, and when she passed away many years later as an old woman, her funeral was attended by thousands. Even to this day, this beautiful story is passed around to remind children of the joys to be had of living a life of servitude and thinking more of others than of yourself.
Stay at a beautiful vacation rental in Lucca where you can explore the history of this saint in greater detail
Zita knew immediately he was an angel sent by God and smiled as she knew the heavens were looking down gladly upon her. Her master was ashamed of his anger and resolved to be a nicer man, more like his faithful saint maid as she became known.
The people of Lucca knew they had a saint living among them, and when she passed away many years later as an old woman, her funeral was attended by thousands. Even to this day, this beautiful story is passed around to remind children of the joys to be had of living a life of servitude and thinking more of others than of yourself.
Stay at a beautiful vacation rental in Lucca where you can explore the history of this saint in greater detail
Photo credits
picture 2: Joris / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Joris / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0
