Sainte ZITA (CITA) de LUCCA (LUCQUES), vierge et servante

Arnould de Vuez  (1642–1720). Sainte Zita, 1696, musée de l'hospice Comtesseà Lille (Nord).

Sainte Zita

Servante à Lucques (+ 1278)

Une petite vendeuse de légumes qui s'en allait au marché de Lucques pour ses parents. A douze ans, elle fut placée dans une famille comme servante, et ne la quitta plus. Pour ne pas déranger son service, elle se levait plus tôt afin d'aller entendre la sainte messe, jeûnait pour donner aux pauvres une part de sa nourriture, supportait avec patience et sourire les jalousies des autres domestiques qui parfois même la dénonçaient avec calomnie. Sa sainteté fut reconnue après sa mort tant étaient grandes les faveurs que le petit peuple obtenait en lui demandant son intercession.

À Lucques en Toscane, sainte Zita, vierge. Née de parents pauvres, dès l'âge de douze ans elle vendit des fruits dans les rues et à dix-huit ans elle entra comme domestique dans la riche famille des Fatinelli et demeura à leur service avec une patience admirable jusqu'à sa mort.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1045/Sainte-Zita.html

Bleiglasfenster in der Kirche Saint-Honoré d'Eylau (Avenue Raymond-Poincaré im 16. Arrondissement von Paris), Darstellung: hl. Zita. Hersteller des Fensters: Félix Gaudin nach einem Karton von Raphaël Freida.

Vitrail dû à Félix Gaudin d'après un carton de Raphaël Freida, représentant Sainte Zita, dans l'église Saint-Honoré d'Eylau à Paris (16ème arrdt).

Sainte Zita de Lucques

Sainte Zita naquit vers 1218, aux environs de Lucques, dans le village de Bozzanello, situé sur le mont Sagrati. Ses parents étaient de pauvres et pieux laboureurs qui l’éduquèrent selon cette simple proposition : « ceci plaît à Dieu, ceci déplaît à Dieu. »

Lorsqu’elle eut douze ans, son père l’envoyait régulièrement vendre des fruits à Lucques ; sa gentillesse lui attira un clientèle bienveillante et fidèle dont la famille des Fatinelli qui était une des plus riches de Lucques. Zita avait dix-huit ans quand les Fatinelli proposèrent de la prendre à leur service. Les parents éprouvèrent un vif chagrin en pensant qu'ils devaient se séparer de leur fille, mais ils voyaient dans cette offre de précieux avantages pour elle et un soulagement pour leurs vieux ans. Ils acceptèrent, non sans appréhension pour les dangers que pouvait entraîner cette nouvelle situation. Jusque là, ils avaient veillé sur Zita avec une pieuse attention ; d'autre part, la solitude et le calme de la vie champêtre, le spectacle de la belle nature, des arbres et des fleurs contribuaient à ramener doucement l'âme à la pensée de Dieu : qu'adviendrait-il à la servante de grande maison quand ces moyens lui manqueraient et seraient remplacés par le tumulte et le mouvement de la ville ? Les maîtres étaient bons chrétiens, mais ils n'exerceraient pas la vigilance délicate que dicte l'amour du père et de la mère ; d'autre part, il y aurait là d'autres domestiques qui pourraient cesser d'être bienveillants et même aller jusqu'à tendre des pièges à l'innocence de la pauvre fille. Les pieux parents étaient d’autant plus dans l'angoisse qu’ils savaient que notre existence ici-bas ne peut pas s'écouler tout entière a l'abri des épreuves. Les parents de Zita pleurèrent beaucoup en faisant toutes ces considérations ; ils prièrent encore davantage pour ne pas laisser sans ressources la chère enfant quand elle aurait quitté la maison paternelle pour suivre les voies de la Providence.

Zita apprit dans sa nouvelle position à devenir plus charitable qu'elle ne l’avait été jusque-là, car elle découvrit la misère des mendiants qui venaient chaque semaine recevoir une aumône dans la maison de ses maîtres ; son cœur fut ému d'une profonde compassion, et elle voulut contribuer à les soulager. Souvent, elle était choisie comme intermédiaire pour leur transmettre les dons de la dame Fatinelli ; cela ne lui suffisait pas, car si sa main portait l'aumône, ce n'était pas elle qui donnait, ce n'était pas le fruit de son épargne ou de ses privations. Elle pensa pouvoir faire davantage ; elle avait l’habitude de jeûner pendant le Carême, elle crut que le jeûne de toute l'année ne la fatiguerait pas davantage. Elle s'imposa donc la privation de tout autre aliment qu'un morceau de pain chaque matin et réserva les autres aliments qui lui étaient donnés pour les joindre aux autres aurnônes qu'elle était chargée de distribuer au nom de sa maîtresse. Quand elle vovait de pauvres familles dont les vêtements étaient déchirés et dont les membres grelottaient de froid, elle les conduisait dans sa chambre, les faisait reposer dans son lit, pendant qu'elle s'étendait sur le carreau à leurs pieds.

Elle était d'ailleurs la plus exacte, la plus assidue et surtout la plus fidèle dans tous les devoirs de son service. Elle n'avait demandé à sa maîtresse qu'une seule faveur : aller tous les matins dans l'église la plus proche. Elle prélevait le temps de sa prière sur son sommeil et non sur son ouvrage. Avant le lever du soleil, elle élevait son âme à Dieu, et lui offrait comme autant de moyens de sanctification toutes les occupations de la journée qui commençait. Un jour, pendant une de ses ferventes oraisons, le temps s'écoula de telle sorte qu'au moment où elle quittait l’église, le soleil déjà haut au-dessus de l'horizon lui rappela qu'elle avait dépassé l'heure où elle devait faire un ouvrage indispensable : c’était la préparation (ou la fourniture) du pain nécessaire à toute la maison. Elle se hâta de gagner le logis, se reprochant intérieurement la négligence de son devoir : quand elle arriva, elle trouva toute la pâte préparée et le feu allumé. Elle était convaincue qu'une autre servante, désireuse de lui épargner une réprimande, avait voulu faire sa besogne en son absence, mais quand elle tenta de trouver à qui adresser ses remerciements, personne ne sut ce qu'elle voulait dire, car personne n'avait songé à lui rendre ce service. Dans la simplicité de son cœur, elle en conclut que Dieu avait accordé cette faveur à sa servante qui avait tout oublié pour lui.

Cependant, cette grande perfection de Zita qui aurait dû lui gagner tous les cœurs, suscita plus d'un murmure et beaucoup de jalousie autour d'elle ; plusieurs de ses compagnes enviaient l'affection que la dame Fatinelli témoignait à cette fille ; elles s'impatientaient d'entendre qu'on la leur présentait toujours comme un modèle. Elles lui cherchaient querelle, tâchaient de la surprendre en défaut, et, n'y pouvant parvenir, elles dénaturaient ses actions, ses propos, la dénonçaient à leur maîtresse. Quand la dame Fatinelli descendait au milieu de ses serviteurs, et, en conséquence de ces délations, adressait d'injustes reproches à Zita, cellc-ci pensait dans son humilité que ses compagnes agissaient uniquement avec l'intention sincère de la corriger de ses défauts. Elle était toujours prête à se reconnaître coupable de tout ce dont on l'accusait ; dès qu'elle connaissait ses dénonciateurs, elle courait les embrasser avec une effusion ravissante de larmes et de remerciements. Cet esprit de charité et de douceur avait pris en elle un caractère vraiment angélique ; la paix du Seigneur, la paix des âmes, la paix de l'amour en Jésus-Christ finit par triompher de toutes les vexations. Elle régna sans conteste dans l'heureuse maison des Fatinelli.

Une nuit de Noël, qu'il faisait extrêmement froid, Zite se disposait à se rendre à Matines. Son maître lui dit : « Comment cours-tu à l'église par un temps si froid, que nous pouvons à peine nous en défendre ici avec tous nos vêtements ? Toi surtout, épuisée par le jeûne, vêtue si pauvrement, et qui vas s'asseoir sur un pavé de marbre ? Ou bien reste ici pour vaquer à tes saintes oraisons, ou bien prends sur tes épaules mon manteau à fourrures pour te garantir du froid. » Zita, ne voulant pas manquer à un office aussi solennel, s’en allait avec le manteau, lorsque le maître lui dit, comme pressentant ce qui allait arriver : « Prends garde, Zita, que tu ne laisses le manteau à un autre, de peur que, s'il est perdu, je n'en souffre du préjudice, et toi, de rosses fâcheries de ma part. » Elle lui répondit : « Ne craignez pas, monsieur, votre manteau vous sera bien gardé. » Entrée dans l'église, elle aperçut un pauvre demi-nu, qui murmurait tout bas, et qui grelottait de froid ; émue de compassion, Zita s'approcha et lui dit : « Qu'avez-vous, mon frère, et de quoi vous plaignez-vous ? » Lui, la regardant d'un visage placide, tendit la main et toucha le manteau en question. Aussitôt Zita l'ôta de ses paules, en revêtit le pauvre et lui dit : « Tenez cette pelisse, mon frère, jusqu'à la fin de l'office, et vous me la rendrez; n'allez nulle part, car je vous mènerai à la maison et vous chaufferai près du feu. » Cela dit, elle alla se mettre à l'endroit où elle priait d'ordinaire. Après l'office, et quand tout le monde fut sorti, elle chercha le pauvre partout, au dedans et au dehors de l’église, mais ne le trouva nulle part. Elle se disait en elle-même : « Où peut-il être allé ? Je crains que quelqu'un ne lui ait pris le manteau, et que, de honte, il n'ose se présenter à mes yeux. Il paraissait assez honnête, et je ne crois pas qu'il ait voulu attraper le manteau et s'enfuir. » C'est ainsi qu’elle excusait pieusement le pauvre. Mais enfin, ne l'ayant pu trouver, elle revenait un peu honteuse, espérant toujours néanmoins que Dieu apaiserait son maître, ou inspirerait au pauvre de rapporter le manteau. Quand elle fut de retour à la maison, le maître lui dit des paroles très-dures, lui fit de vifs reproches. Elle ne répondit rien, mais, lui recommandant d'espérer, elle lui raconta comment la chose s'était passée. Il entrevit bien comment la chose s'était passée, mais ne laissa pas de murmurer jusqu'au dîner. A la troisième heure, voilà sur l'escalier de la maison un pauvre qui charmait tous les spectateurs par sa bonne mine, et qui, portant le manteau dans ses bras, le rendit à Zita, en la remerciant du bien qu'elle lui avait fait. Le maître voyait et entendait le pauvre. Il commençait, ainsi que Zita, à lui adresser la parole, lorsqu'il disparut comme un éclair, laissant dans leurs cœurs une joie inconnue et ineffable, qui les ravit longtemps d'admiration. On a cru que ce vieillard était un ange; c'est pourquoi la porte de l’église où elle rencontra le pauvre au manteau a été depuis appelée la porte de l'Ange.

Chaque vendredi elle allait en pèlerinage à San-Angelo in Monte, à deux lieues de Lucques ; un jour qu'elle avait été retenue par les travaux de la maison plus que d'ordinaire, elle fut surprise par la nuit. Un cavalier qui suivait le même chemin lui prédit qu'elle périrait dans les précipices si elle continuait à marcher au milieu des ténèbres ; mais quand il arriva, il fut bien saisi de trouver à la porte de l'église celle qu'il croyait avoir laissé loin derrière lui.

Sainte Zita avait un grand amour pour sainte Marie-Madeleine et pour saint Jean l'Evangéliste ; une veille de fête de la première, elle voulut aller faire brûler un cierge devant son autel dans une église assez éloignée de Lucques. Elle arriva tard et trouva les portes fermées ; elle alluma son cierge, se mit à genoux et s'endormit. La nuit, un orage terrible s'éleva, la pluie tomba par torrents, et la Sainte reposait ; quand elle se réveilla, les rues étaient couvertes d'eau, mais elle n'avait pas même été touchée par une goutte de pluie, et son cierge brûlait encore. Les portes alors s'ouvrirent devant elle, et quand le curé arriva pour dire la messe, il trouva la Sainte en prières dans cette église qui n'avait pas été ouverte depuis la veille au soir.

Les maîtres auraient voulu traiter Zita plutôt en amie qu'en servante, et la décharger des travaux pénibles de la maison. Son humilité ne le permit jamais ; elle conserva jusque dans un âge avancé toutes les habitudes laborieuses de sa jeunesse. En avançant en âge, elle ne relâcha rien de ses pratiques de mortification. Ses dernières années se passèrent dans une prière et une extase presque continuelles. Elle arriva ainsi jusqu'a l’heure marquée par Dieu pour la récompense de son dévoûment et de sa foi. La maladie dont elle fut atteinte ne dura que cinq jours ; Zita s'était mise au lit avec une petite fièvre, mais elle annonca que sa fin était proche. De fait, la fièvre s'accrût rapidement, les douleurs devinrent aiguës ; la figure de la malade resta pourtant calme et joyeuse. C'était l'indice du contentement intérieur qu'éprouve une âme quand elle va vers Dieu. Autour du lit se pressaient tous les serviteurs de la maison ; on y voyait aussi de nombreux voisins qui, depuis de longues années, avaient appris à vénérer cette humble servante. En leur présence, Zita reçut le saint viatique et l'extrême-onction avec une tendresse inexprimable. Jésus qui venait reposer sur ses lèvres mourantes possédait depuis longtemps la plénitude de son cœur. L'heure de la mort fut donc pour cette humble fille l'heure d'une réunion p]us intime avec son Dieu ; elle fut saluée par un joyeux Hosanna dans le séjour des bienheureux. Aussitôt qu'elle eut rendu le dernier soupir, une étoile brillante parut au-dessus de la maison où reposait son corps, et les enfants se mirent à crier dans les rues : « la Sainte est morte, allons voir la Sainte dans la maison de Fatinelli. » Toute la ville vint rendre hommage à la vertu de l'honorable servante que Dieu venait de glorifier en la rappelant à lui.

Ainsi la vie la plus humble, la plus cachée, quand elle s'écoule avec l'amour de Dieu, égale en splendeur véritable la vie de tous les rois et de tous les puissants de la terre. Zita mourut le 27 avril 1278. Les miracles se multiplièrent tant au tombeau de Zita que, quatre ans après sa mort, l'évêque de Lucques permit de lui rendre un culte public qui se répandit rapidement en Italie, en Espagne, en Angleterre et dans toute l'Europe. Il y eut par trois fois, en 1446, en 1581 et en 1652, ouverture de son cercueil où le corps fut trouvé parfaitement intact, dans un état de parfaite conservation. Il est enchâssé et gardé avec beaucoup de respect dans l'église Saint-Fridien. Zita a été canonisée par lnnocent XII en 1696. Elle est la patronne de Lucques ; les servantes et les femmes de charge l'invoquent comme leur spéciale protectrice. De la chaumière du mont Sagrati, qui avait abrité le berceau de l'humble Sainte, on a fait une chapelle qui lui est dédiée.

On donne pour attributs à sainte Zita un trousseau de clefs suspendu à sa ceinture et une cruche : les clefs rappellent qu'elle fut investie de la confiance de ses maîtres, et la cruche, le miracle qu'elle fit de changer l'eau en vin au bénéfice des pauvres. On montre encore à Lucques le puits où elle prit de l'eau pour faire ce miracle. On l'a aussi représentée debout devant les portes de la ville, et la sainte Vierge venant lui ouvrir le guichet. La miséricordieuse Marie dut rendre ce service à sa servante un soir que celle-ci s'était attardée à ses bonnes œuvres. Une vieille gravure allemande la représente sous les traits d'une jeune fille accorte, revêtant le vieillard de la pelisse de son maître.

SOURCE : http://missel.free.fr/Sanctoral/04/27.php

Church of England parish church of St Etheldreda, Horley, Oxfordshire: 15th century painting of St Zita of Lucca.

Sainte Zite (ou Zita)

Servante

(† 1278)

Dans la modeste condition de servante, sainte Zite s'éleva jusqu'au sommet de la perfection. Nulle, plus qu'elle, n'eut à souffrir de ces promiscuités douteuses qui, de tout temps, ont été le fléau des grandes maisons; et nulle, à ce titre, ne mérite mieux qu'elle de servir de modèle et de patronne aux personnes en service qui veulent rester honnêtes.

Zite vint au monde en 1218, à Bozzanello, village près de Lucques. Ses parents n'étaient que de pauvres cultivateurs; mais ils étaient fervents chrétiens. Non plus que Jeanne d'Arc, Zite ne sut jamais lire ni écrire; nul autre que sa mère n'enseigna la doctrine chrétienne à cette sainte fille. Quand, par suite de sa vivacité naturelle ou de la légèreté de son âge, Zite se laissait aller à quelque chose de répréhensible, sa mère n'avait qu'à dire: «Ma fille, ce que tu fais déplaît à Dieu»: aussitôt l'enfant y renonçait.

Parvenue à l'âge de douze ans, Zite fut placée comme servante chez un riche commerçant de Lucques, nommé Pagano di Fatinelli. Elle ne vit dans son état qu'une plus grande facilité de se sanctifier, en menant une vie laborieuse et mortifiée; car on sait à quelles mortifications d'amour-propre silencieux est exposée à toute minute de la journée une pauvre servante, obligée, pour gagner sa vie, de satisfaire des caprices souvent contradictoires et parfois tyranniques. Fatinelli était bon, mais emporté; néanmoins la patience de la petite servante ne se démentit jamais. La volonté de ses maîtres fut toujours pour elle l'expression de la volonté de Dieu; elle ne montrait jamais ni hésitation ni mauvaise humeur. Il y avait en elle plus de support des défauts d'autrui et de vertu d'obéissance que dans beaucoup de personnes religieuses à vœux solennels.

Zite avait pour devise: «La main au travail, le cœur à Dieu!» Elle disait encore: «Une servante paresseuse ne doit pas être appelée pieuse: une personne de notre condition qui affecte d'être pieuse, sans être essentiellement laborieuse, n'a qu'une fausse piété. Travailler, c'est prier.» Zite avait la piété des saints, qui ne se contente pas de quelques pratiques extérieures, mais qui pénètre les profondeurs de l'âme. Elle n'était pas de celles qui sont plus promptes à prier qu'à pardonner, à aller à l'église qu'à vaquer aux devoirs de leur état, à donner une aumône qu'à réprimer leur langue ou à dompter leurs passions.

Tant de vertu n'était pas faite pour plaire au reste de la domesticité. Peu consciencieux dans leur service, les autres serviteurs de Fatinelli, ne pouvant faire de Zite leur complice, la calomnièrent. Dieu permit que ses maîtres ajoutassent foi aux mensonges: pendant plusieurs années, au lieu d'encouragements, la pauvre servante ne reçut que des reproches. Le maître finit enfin par reconnaître le mérite de sa servante; il lui abandonna dès lors l'administration de sa maison et lui confia l'éducation de ses enfants.

Avec le consentement de son maître, Zite se servit de sa charge pour faire l'aumône. En temps de disette, il lui arriva de puiser dans le grenier et même de l'épuiser complètement; un jour que Fatinelli venait de vendre sa provision de fèves à un haut prix, il appela Zite pour l'aider à les mesurer. La pauvre fille, toute tremblante, n'osait approcher: il se trouva que le grenier, vide l'instant d'auparavant, se trouva plein à déborder.–– Une autre fois, la veille de Noël, par un grand froid, Zite se disposait à aller à l'office de nuit. Par compassion, son maître lui prêta sa pelisse, en lui recommandant d'en avoir bien soin. Mais voilà que, sur les marches de l'église, Zite rencontre un miséreux transi de froid; aussitôt elle ôte le manteau et le lui tend en disant: «Prenez cette pelisse jusqu'à la fin de l'office, et vous me la rendrez à la sortie.» Le malheur est qu'à la sortie le mendiant avait disparu, et que Zite en fut réduite à avouer sa mésaventure à Fatinelli qui prit fort mal la chose; quand tout à coup apparaît le mendiant avec la pelisse. Après l'avoir rendue, il disparut sans se faire connaître.

Douce, humble, soumise envers tout le monde, Zite était d'un courage intrépide envers les libertins. Un des domestiques ayant voulu se permettre avec elle certaines libertés, elle lui déchira le visage.

Sainte Zite mourut le 27 avril 1278. Elle n'avait servi qu'un seul maître pendant toute sa vie.

J.-M. Planchet, Nouvelle Vie des Saints, 2e éd. Paris, 1946

SOURCE : http://magnificat.ca/cal/fr/saints/sainte_zite.html

Bernardo Strozzi  (1581–1644) Le Miracle de sainte Zita

Sainte Zita 

Vierge, servante

Patronne de Lucques

Zita naît dans le village de Bozzanello, près de Lucques, en Toscane, en 1218. Ses parents étaient de pauvres et pieux laboureurs.

Zita fut élevée par sa mère, une femme vertueuse et très modeste et, dès son plus jeune âge, était douce, modeste et docile à la volonté de Dieu.

Lorsqu’elle eut douze ans, son père l’envoyait régulièrement vendre des fruits à Lucques ; sa gentillesse lui attira une clientèle bienveillante et fidèle dont la famille des Fatinelli qui était une des plus riches de Lucques.

Zita avait dix-huit ans quand les Fatinelli proposèrent de la prendre à leur service.

Toute sa vie servante dans cette famille, elle y mena une vie édifiante par ses jeûnes, ses prières et sa bonté.

Pendant longtemps, elle fut injustement dénigrée, surchargée, humiliée et parfois battue par ses maîtres ou les autres domestiques pour sa trop grande bonté.

Mais ces brimades n’entamèrent jamais sa paix intérieure, l’amour porté à ses contempteurs ni le respect témoigné à ses employeurs.

Par son attitude humble et réservée, Zita finit par surmonter la méchanceté de ses maîtres et des autres domestiques au point qu’on lui confia toutes les affaires de la maison.

Sa Foi et sa piété sans faille amenèrent même la famille à un éveil religieux.

Zita s’éteignit paisiblement chez les Fatinelli le 27 Avril 1278. On raconte qu’une étoile est apparue au dessus de son lit lorsqu’elle expira.

Elle avait 60 ans et avait servi la famille pendant 48 ans.

Il s’opéra sur sa tombe de nombreux miracles dont 150 ont fait l’objet d’un examen critique et de procès verbaux. Exhumé en 1580, on a retrouvé son corps intact.

Canonisée en 1696 par le Pape Innocent XII (Antonio Pignatelli, 1691-1700), elle est devenue la sainte patronne de la ville de Lucques avec, comme attributs, un trousseau de clefs suspendu à sa ceinture et une cruche.

Elle est également la patronne des domestiques (cuisiniers, serveurs, serveuses, employés de maison...)

Son corps momifié est toujours exposé dans sa châsse-reliquaire placée dans la chapelle qui lui est dédiée dans la Basilique San Frediano de Lucques.

SOURCE : http://levangileauquotidien.org/main.php?language=FR&module=saintfeast&localdate=20160427&id=3634&fd=0

Sainte ZITA

sitita : désirée... Il était porté naguère avec honneur par la dernière impératrice d'Autriche-Hongrie, qui dut s'exiler avec toute sa famille. Au XIIIe siècle, Zita vivait bien loin d'une Cour impériale. Elle est la sainte patronne des gens de maison, comme on disait, pour ne pas dire les domestiques. Fille de pauvres gens, elle devient servante dans la riche famille Fatinellli à Lucques en Toscane, au XIIIe siècle. Elle y restera toute sa vie, pendant presque cinquante ans, bonne à tout faire. Zita deviendra sainte dans le travail et le service quotidien. On disait autrefois cela de nos mères et grand-mères, "se sanctifiant par le devoir d'état", ces femmes usées de travail que notre société appelait des "sans profession".

Zita ne demandait qu'une seule faveur : rejoindre le Christ à la Messe chaque jour. Pour ce faire, elle se levait plus tôt pour pouvoir accomplir tout ce qu'elle avait à faire. 

Zita ne vivait pas au 7e ciel, mais au ras du sol ou mieux, en ce temps pascal, au ras des pâquerettes ! Elle était très exacte à tous ses emplois : ses prières, son travail très prenant jusqu'à la tombée de la nuit et son souci d'aider les plus pauvres. Sa manière de vivre ne manquait pas de susciter moqueries et médisances : surtout qu'elle avait coutume de prêter son lit à des femmes sans domicile fixe, dormant elle-même sur le carreau de sa chambrette. Elle supportait avec humour les critiques, allant jusqu'à remercier et embrasser les envieuses. A la fin de sa vie, usée par les tâches ménagères d'une immense maison, elle subira de grandes souffrances, supportées avec la vaillance, la sérénité et la bonne humeur qui furent les dominantes de sa vie. Sainte Zita entra dans la joie de son Maître, recevant la récompense du bon et fidèle serviteur, le 27 avril 1278.

Rédacteur: Frère Bernard Pineau, OP

SOURCE : http://www.lejourduseigneur.com/index.php/Web-TV/Saints/Zita

Leon Biedroński (1834-1907). Święta Zyta, 1889, 141,5 x 116, Kościół Akademicki św. Anny w Warszawie, Obraz po konserwacji w Akademii Sztuk Pięknych

St. Zita

Model and heavenly patroness of domestic servants, born early in the thirteenth century of a poor family at Montsegradi, a little village near Lucca, in Tuscany; died at Lucca, 27 April, 1271. A naturally happy disposition and the teaching of a virtuous mother, aided by Divine grace, developed in the child's soul that sweetness and modesty of character and continual and conscientious application to work which constituted her especial virtues. At the age of twelve she entered the service of the Fatinelli family of Lucca. Her piety and the exactitude with which she discharged her domestic duties, in which she regarded herself as serving God rather than man, even supplying the deficiencies of her fellow servants, far from gaining for her their love and esteem and that of her employers rather brought upon her every manner of ill-treatment of both the former and, through their accusations, of the latter. The incessant ill-usage, however, was powerless to deprive her of her inward peace, her love of those who wronged her, and her respect for her employers. By this meek and humble self-restraint she at last succeeded in overcoming the malice of her fellow-servants and her employers, so much so that she was placed in charge of all the affairs of the house.

In her position of command over all the servants she treated all with kindness, not exacting from them any reckoning for the wrongs she had for so many years suffered from them. She was always circumspect, and only severe when there was a question of checking the introduction of vice among the servants. On the other hand, if any of them had been guilty of shortcomings, she took upon herself to excuse or defend them to their employers. Using the ample authority given her by her employers, she was generous in almsgiving, but careful to assist only those really in need. After her death numerous miracles were wrought at her intercession, so that she came to bevenerated as a saint in the neighbourhood of Lucca, and the poets Fazio degli Uberti (Dittamonde, III, 6) andDante (Inferno, XI, 38) both designate the city of Lucca simply as "Santa Zita". The office in her honour was approved by Leo X.

In 1580 her tomb was discovered in the Church of S. Frediano; thus was suggested the solemn approbation of her cult, which was granted by Innocent XII in 1696. The earliest biography of the saint is preserved in an anonymous manuscript belonging to the Fatinelli family which was published at Ferrara in 1688 by MonsignorFatinelli, "Vita beatf Zitf virginis Lucensis ex vetustissimo codice manuscripto fideliter transumpta". For his fuller "Vita e miracoli di S. Zita vergine lucchese" (Lucca, 1752) Bartolomeo Fiorito has used this and other notices, especially those taken from the process drawn up to prove the immemorial cult.

Benigni, Umberto. "St. Zita." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 15 Mar. 2015<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15762a.htm>.

Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Paul T. Crowley. Dedicated to John and Maureen Crowley.

Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.

Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15762a.htm

Asti, Chiesa di San Silvestro.Quadro di S.Zita (Michelangelo Pittatore)

Saint Zita of Lucca

Also known as

Cita

Sita

Citha

Sitha

Memorial

27 April

Profile

Born to a very poor but pious family. At age twelve she became a domestic servant for the wealthy Fainelli family in Lucca, Italy, a position she kept all her life; she looked at it as a way to serve God. She often gave her own food, and sometimes that of her master, to those poorer than herself, which caused her to get in frequent trouble with her employers and the other servants in the house who resented her. However, she did such a fine job she was eventually placed in charge of the house, and entrusted with its keys. Attended daily Mass before beginning her duties, and would go to a nearby monastery to pray in private. Her reputation was such that Dante in the Inferno referred to the city of Lucca as “Santa Zita”.

Born

1218 at Bozzanello, Monte Sagrate, Tuscany, Italy

Died

27 April 1272 at Lucca, Italy of natural causes

buried in the church of San Frediano in Lucca

her tomb was re-discovered in 1580

Beatified

1652 by Pope Innocent X

during the recognition proceedings, her remains were found to be incorrupt

Canonized

the office in her honour approved by Pope Leo X

5 September 1696 by Pope Innocent XII (cultus confirmed)

added to the Roman Martyrology in 1748 by Pope Benedict XIV

Patronage

against losing keys

butlers

domestic servants (proclaimed by Pope Pius XII)

homemakers

housemaids

lost keys

maids

manservants

people ridiculed for their piety

rape victims

servants

servers

single laywomen

waiters

waitpersons

waitresses

—

Lucca, Italy

Representation

bag

cooking equipment

dishes

keys

kitchen equipment

loaves

plates

platters

rosary

serving maid with a bag and keys

Additional Information

A Lowly Saint, by E C Vansittart

Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate

Catholic Encyclopedia

Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler

New Catholic Dictionary

Pictorial Lives of the Saints

Roman Martyrology, 1914 edition

Saints of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein

Short Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly

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Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

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Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición

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Parrocchia Santa Zita, Genoa, Italy

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Readings

A servant is not holy if she is not busy; lazy people…is fake holiness. – Saint Zita

MLA Citation

“Saint Zita of Lucca“. CatholicSaints.Info. 14 April 2021. Web. 26 April 2021. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zita-of-lucca/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zita-of-lucca/

Fahne der Pfarre, geweiht der hl.Zita und dem hl. Aloisius.

Fahne der Pfarre, geweiht der hl.Zita und dem hl. Aloisius.

A Lowly Saint, by E C Vansittart

Article

“Life does not make us: we make life.”

When we speak of the “saints” we do not always remember how vast is that great army and from what varied conditions its ranks are drawn. The saints God has given to His Church are torches raised on high in the darkness of the ages to illumine those who are battling their way through this world, examples placed before timid souls to encourage them to follow in their steps by saying to themselves: “If such as these attained to so much holiness, why should I not be able to do likewise?”

There is one saint whose name is a household word in Italy, whose memory is perhaps more widely reverenced and deeply cherished than that of any other in the land, Santa Zita, the patroness of maid servants. Every girl going to service, every humble “contadina” in her cottage, knows and loves the pretty story of Saint Zita, and to an innumerable host of women of low degree her example has been an inspiring one, and they have faithfully striven to follow in her steps. Zita was born in the year 1218 at Soccisa, a village crowning a hill a few miles from the city of Lucca. The spot is still pointed out on which stood the house of her father – Giovanni Lombardo. He was a peasant, and her mother, Buonissima, the sister of a hermit named Graziano, who dwelt on a neighboring mountain where he had built a church with his own hands, beside erecting a shelter where travellers could pass the night safe from the wolves which then infested the mountains.

Her name is a corruption of Zitella (maid or virgin). Of her childhood we know little beyond the fact that she was one of a large family brought up carefully and religiously by God-fearing parents in a home which was a happy one save for its poverty, for the times were hard; wars devastated many parts of Italy, causing want and misery. With courage and determination far beyond her years, Zita succeeded in inducing her parents to consent to her seeking service in some opulent household where she would be able to earn something towards the maintenance of her family. So, driven by necessity to fly in the face of custom, which condemned the proceeding as little short of immoral – since to expose a maiden of twelve to the dangers and risks of the world was surely to sign her sentence of ruin – Giovanni tramped into Lucca in search of a situation where, though away from the paternal roof, his little daughter would be safe and well cared for. The wealthiest and most esteemed family in the town then was that of the Fatinelli, whose head drove a thriving trade in silk, and whose house stood close to the gate of Saint Frediano. The family itself was numerous, and the retinue of servants and dependents a large one, but to Giovanni’s joy, the mistress of the house consented to receive Zita. We can imagine how, during those last days at home, her mother would strive to instil wise and loving counsels into her little daughter’s mind, and how wonderful to the country-bred girl must have ap peared the medieval town with its fortified towers and encircling walls.

We are told that on their way to her new home she and her father went into the church of Saint Frediano to seek divine aid and protection in the new life she was about to enter on. Little could the lowly maiden have dreamed, as she knelt there, that one day her own body would rest near the grave of the holy Bishop whose name the church bore, and become a place of pilgrimage to many devout souls!

So sweet and modest was Zita’s appearance, so willing and ready was she to obey every behest, that from the first she won the affections of her masters. According to the pious custom of those times, she never failed to attend Mass at dawn in the neighboring church, thus sanctifying the day before her. Respectful towards her superiors, accepting reproof with good grace, patiently bearing injuries, not easily offended, ever acting the part of peace-maker, attentive in the performance of her duties, ready to help all, she closely followed in the steps of the Divine Master Who humbled Himself even to taking upon Him the form of a servant. It was not easy in those times for a young girl thrown among a number of rough men and varlets to keep herself absolutely pure and respected, but silence and prayer were Zita’s safe guard, and she passed unscathed through all dangers. Her mistress, who looked after the spiritual as well as the physical well-being of her dependents, let her at tend school for a year and then put her to be trained under Errichetta, a maid who had been in the house for several years. And now began Zita’s trials, for Errichetta, seeing how much she was making herself beloved by all, was seized by a consuming jealousy and did every thing in her power to bring her pupil into disfavor. Sometimes she broke things on purpose and gave it out it was the stupid “contadinella” who had done it; if anything were lost, she accused Zita of having given it to “her friends, the poor;” if Zita was given an order, she prevented her carrying it out, and as Zita never defended herself, hoping yet to win over Errichetta, the truth was not discovered, and the Signora Fatinelli, who had formed such a high estimate of the little maid, began to think she had been mistaken, accused her of careless ness and disobedience, and in the end Zita met with cold looks, harsh words, and severe reprimands. After this had gone on for several months Errichetta fell dangerously ill, and every one was surprised to find how well the stupid Zita did the work by herself. She tended her sick enemy lovingly and her mistress’ eyes were opened, for after a time Errichetta grew worse, and before her death confessed all she had done in the past, so that Zita stood out in her true light.

As long as her parents lived she was allowed to go home once a year for eight days. Her wages she divided into three portions: the first she sent to her parents; the second she kept for herself; the third she gave to the poor. As time went on she was more and more trusted; it was to her the poor had to apply when they came to the house for the remains of food and the money set aside for them, for her mistress left the distribution in her hands; she often reserved the greater portion of her own food in order to give it away to a needy one. With her mistress’ consent, she also visited the sick poor in their own homes and supplied their needs, for the Signora Fatinelli was very compassionate and charitable herself. There was a small room separated from the rest of the house and entered by a private door; this was placed at Zita’s disposal, and at night-fall she would, with her mistress’ permission, steal out and seek some poor fallen woman, lost on the public highway, and offer her supper. So persuasive was her manner that she would rarely meet with a refusal. Leading her guest to the simple chamber, which contained a bed, after providing her with food she would invite her to spend the night there, saying: “Sister, the hour is late, there are perils without; will you not sleep here?” Not knowing how to refuse, the strange guest would awkwardly accept, and Zita would remain in prayer by her side. More powerful than words were such prayers, and many an unhappy one would break down, and after relating her sad history, cry: “Oh! Zita! good Zita! pray for me!” Many an one, after spending the night in that quiet chamber and accompanying Zita to the early Mass at dawn at Saint Frediano, dated the commence ment of a new and better life from that day. Nor was it any wonder that her mistress had sufficient confidence in Zita to grant her such unusual privileges, for she knew the honor and safety of her house were secure in the keeping of her faithful handmaiden, whose presence therein was as that of an angel. Prayer was ever on Zita’s lips and in her heart; she practiced much penance and auster ity, went barefooted summer and winter, and rarely touched wine.

Years passed by and Signora Fatinelli died, nursed day and night by her faithful servant. On her death-bed she exacted from her husband a promise that he would put Zita at the head of the household, and Zita, on her side, promised never to leave the family. So it was done, the master bidding all the other servants take their orders from Zita, and the children – who had known her all their lives – were told to obey her in all things.

Still the years went by, and in 1260 Guglielmo Fatinelli died, and his son Pagano became the head of the house. He had grown up under Zita’s eyes and appreciated her saintliness, being himself a religious and much esteemed man, but he was quick-tempered and easily roused to anger, and Zita had often to bear the consequences of this, but, always ready to humble herself and always having a gentle answer on her lips, she exerted a wonderful influence over him.

In the Middle Ages fact and fiction, legend and truth, go hand in hand, and it is no wonder that to a soul so saintly as Zita, miracles should have been at tributed, nor would any account of her life be fair without a reference to the three which are so naively related in the old chronicles of the lives of the saints.

One morning, when it was her business to bake bread for the family, having gone as usual to the early Mass, she became so absorbed in her devotions that when the service was over the sacristan of the church locked her in by mistake. When at length Zita, full of compunction and distress, was able to hurry home, what was her amazement on going up to the kneading-trough to find the loaves all ready set and prepared, so that she had only to put them into the oven. She wondered whether it was one of her fellow servants who had done her this service to prevent her negligence being discovered, but on questioning them and finding they knew nothing of the matter, she came to the conclusion it must have been her kind mistress who, having got up early and not finding her at her work, had done it herself. Zita went to thank her and to ask her forgiveness, but she also knew nothing about it. When the bread was brought to table, it was found to be so delicious that all felt no human hands could have made it. “Happy the family,” then adds the chronicler, “who was thus fed by angels, and who had for their servant one assisted by ministering spirits from Paradise,” but Zita was distressed when they called her a “holy maid,” and knowing the wickedness of her own heart, humbled herself yet further.

In every beggar she saw the person of Christ Himself; the homeless to her represented Him for Whom there was no room in the inn; those shivering with cold the Divine Child in the stable at Bethlehem; in the hungry she saw Him Who fasted in the wilderness, in the thirsty she beheld Him Who was parched as He hung upon the Cross, and the remaining two miracles attributed to her were the outcome of her fervent charity.

On a hot summer’s day, when the land lay parched beneath the burning rays of the sun, Zita was returning from the daily distribution of the remnants of the household meal to the poor when a ragged pilgrim, weary and worn, dragged himself toward her, holding out his hand for alms. She looked at him, full of compassion, but had nothing left to give him, yet how could she send any one in such great need away empty-handed? Remembering the promise in the Gospel that even a cup of cold water, given in the name of Christ, shall in nowise miss its reward, she bade the pilgrim follow her to the neighboring well so that at least she might give him a draught of fresh water. Taking a copper jug, she let it down into the well, and in the act of holding it out to him that he might drink, made the sign of the cross over the water, praying meanwhile to her Divine Master that this lowliest of drinks might be blessed to the poor wayfarer. He approached his lips to the vessel when lo! the water was turned into wine! Never had the pilgrim tasted its like, as looking up into the face of the saint, who held it to his mouth, he took long draughts; no longer was he oppressed by heat or thirst as, full of gladness, he related to all that such choice and generous wine he had never tasted in his life before! The well was from that time known as “Santa Zita’s well,” and its water is still drunk in devotion to her. In former times pilgrims used to carry it home, and the sick were brought there for healing; now the crowds that flock thither are restricted to those who frequent the festival of Santa Zita, when the well is adorned with flowers, but the statue representing the pilgrim drinking from the jug held by Santa Zita, which surmounted the well-head, has long since disappeared.

One Christmas Eve, during a bitterly cold winter when the city of Lucca was fast bound in ice and snow, the Fatinelli family were assembled round a large fire. The solemn midnight Mass was about to be held at the church of San Frediano, and Zita, who had obtained permission to assist at it, was on the point of leaving the house when her master said: “Zita, how can you go out so lightly clad on such a night? We can hardly bear this terrible cold in the house, and you, who have fasted all day, are going out in that thin dress to remain long hours kneeling on the damp marbles of the church. I insist on your putting on my fur coat or staying at home.” Zita, who would on no account have missed the service of that night, obediently wrapped herself up in the warm garment, while her master added: “Remember, the fur is very valuable, so take care of it; I should be exceedingly angry if you were to lose it.” “Fear nothing, ‘padrone,'” replied Zita, “your cloak shall be well taken care of and safely restored to you.”

Scarcely had she entered the church when a poor half clad beggar, from whose lips issued a feeble plaint, approached her; his teeth chattered, and he was blue with cold. When Zita com passionately enquired what ailed him, for answer he put out his hand and touched the cloak she wore. Zita at once took it off and hung it on the beggar’s shoulders, saying: “Brother, wear this till the Office is over, after which you must return it to me, and I will take you home and warm you beside a good fire.” She then proceeded to the corner of the church where she was wont to worship, knelt down barefoot, rejoicing to suffer cold in company with the Divine Child of Bethlehem, and was soon so absorbed in the mysteries of that Holy Night that she was wrapt in ecstasy; but when all were leaving the church Zita could see no sign of the beggar, however much she sought him. “Oh, where has he gone?” she thought within herself. “I am afraid some one must have stolen the cloak from him and he dare not show himself to me. He looked such a good man, I am sure he is not a thief.” After search ing long in vain, she reluctantly set out for home, hoping her master would be indulgent, but on reaching the house, he, seeing her without the cloak, lost his temper, and reproved her with hard and bitter words, and though she implored his pardon, begging him not to give up hope of his property being yet restored, his ire would not be calmed, when suddenly on the stair before them appeared one who had indeed the face of the beggar, but whose aspect was so wondrously beautiful that merely to look upon him filled the heart with joy. On his arm he carried the borrowed cloak, which he returned to Zita, thanking her for the benefit conferred. She and her master turned simultaneously to speak to him, but he, like a flash of lightning, vanished from their sight. Zita humbly thanked God, and her master, repenting of his harshness towards his holy servant, related to all he met the miracle that had occurred, and thus it was said that Zita had been deemed worthy to clothe Christ Himself under the semblance of a beggar, and that he whom she had tried to befriend that night was not a man, but an angel. To commemorate this incident, the south door of the church of San Frediano was surnamed: “la porta dell’ Angelo,” and an ancient painting over it represented the miracle.

Henceforth Zita lived a life more angelic than human; her heart and soul were in another world, only her body remained on earth. As the years rolled by, she grew to esteem the things of this world less and less and to set all her affections on things above. Her lips often repeated Saint Paul’s words: “I desire to be loosed from this body and to be with Christ.” Death held no terrors for her; she rather regarded it as the entrance to life and the gate to her true home.

She was now sixty years of age, and the severity of her penitential life had enfeebled her frame; thus, when she was seized by a slight fever which lasted five days, she had no power of resistance, and she who had never yielded to the ills of the flesh had at last to give in and lie in her bed. During those days of enforced rest, no doubt she lived over all her life again: her childhood in the mountain village, the first days in her new home, the fifty years spent there, the favors vouch safed to her from above. She lay with the crucifix between her hands, her heart upifted to Him Whose image it bore. Tenderly nursed by her master’s family and by a few devout women who never left her little room, after the priest had administered to her the last sacred rites on the 27th of April, 1268, with her hands folded on her breast, her eyes up lifted to heaven, a smile on her lips, and without any sign of suffering, Zita passed to the better land.

Scarcely had she breathed her last, when a beautiful shining star appeared above Lucca. A great cry arose through out the city: “Let us go to San Frediano, Santa Zita is dead!” The Fatinelli family meanwhile made arrangements to honor their faithful servant by a funeral which should testify the esteem and gratitude with which they regarded her. The whole of the clergy of San Frediano went to the house to accompany the body to the church, which was crowded beyond description, as was the road leading to it, and many an one tried to steal a scrap of her clothing as she was borne along. Never had Lucca witnessed such a funeral, and miracles of healing were said to follow on touching her body.

In the church of San Frediano a chapel was dedicated to her and here she was buried, her tomb becoming a goal of pilgrimage; Emperors, Kings, Bishops, Cardinals, and Popes even coming to pray at her shrine. Nor was devotion to her confined to Lucca; throughout Italy churches were dedicated to her, and continue to be so to this day; the finest church in Palermo bears her name as do others in France, Spain, Portugal and Malta. Of late years a guild for maid servants, numbering thousands, has been established in her name all over Europe. The objects of this guild are to provide homes for servants temporarily out of place, to care for those who are aged or seized by incurable illness, and to promote terms of long service. Immense good has been effected by this guild.

Thirty years after her death, the greatest poet of Italy sufficiently distinguishes a burgher of Lucca from one of any other city by calling him “one of Santa Zita’s elders.”

Her festa is held annually at Lucca on April 27th, when her body is exposed and “the concourse is so great that armed soldiers have to be placed at the doors of the chapel to prevent a crush. Relics and lives of Santa Zita are sold in the Piazza, and her shrine is visited by every domestic servant in Lucca and its neighborhood, each offering a nosegay on the altar, which becomes piled with flowers, a curious and pretty sight.”

Surely in these days when domestic service is so much despised, this lowly saint speaks to us through the long years which have rolled by since her time. The life that Santa Zita led in the thirteenth century would neither be possible nor fitting in this twentieth century, but the motives which inspired her conduct and the virtues she cultivated are within the power of each one of us to attain, and every servant in her own individual place may be a Zita. To masters, also, her life brings its lesson: let them realize the blessing it is to a family to possess a truly conscientious, God-fearing servant, and remember that it is their duty to look after the spiritual as well as the temporal well-being of their dependents. God is no respector of persons; a lowly handmaid such as Zita was is greater in His sight than many a monarch on his throne, and through her He glorified the lesson of how He will exalt the humble and the meek, and raise the poor who steadfastly walk in the narrow road which leads to life.

MLA Citation

The Rosary Magazine, April 1905. CatholicSaints.Info. 22 April 2018. Web. 27 April 2021. <https://catholicsaints.info/a-lowly-saint-by-e-c-vansittart/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/a-lowly-saint-by-e-c-vansittart/

Corpo di Santa Zita, Lucca, Chiesa di San Frediano

Corpo di Santa Zita, Lucca, Chiesa di San Frediano

Le corps momifié de Zita de Lucques dans sa châsse, exposée dans la basilique San Frediano à Lucques (Toscane, Italie)

The mummified body of Saint Zita in its reliquary on display in the basilica of San Frediano in Lucca, Tuscany, Italy.

St. Zita

Born: c.1218

Died: April 27, 1278

Canonized: 1696

Feast Day: April 27

Patron Saint of: domestic workers, maids, lost keys

Zita is also known as Sitha and Citha.

Zita came from a poor, but deeply devotional family. The lack of social standing is probably the reason Zita's last name has not been recorded in history. To help support the family, she became a maid of a wealthy family, Fatinelli, in the Tuscan city of Lucca, serving them loyally for 48 years.

From and early age, Zita expressed concern for the poor and helpless of Lucca. As her reputation spread, the needy began to seek her out. This did not sit well with the Fatinelli family, as time spent with the poor was not time spent in her maid servant duties. As the story goes, the Lord intervened as necessary. On one such event, Zita left her chore of baking bread to tend to someone in need. Some of the other servants made sure the Fatinelli family was aware of what happened. When they went to investigate, they found angels in the Fatinelli kitchen, picking up Zita's slack. From that point on, the Fatinelli family and even the other servants were a little more understanding toward her mission. On another event, Zita had given away the family's supply of beans to the townsfolk during a severe famine. Upon suspecting this, the Fatinelli family went to the cupboard to find it full - the beans hand been miracuously replaced. Another recorded event was as dramatic, if not more so. On Christmas Eve, Zita had given away a prized and treasured family cloak to a shivering man at the doorway of St. Fredaino, the local church. This was the straw that broke the camel's back. While the elder Fatinelli was in the midst of a fit of fury, an elderly man came to the door and returned the heirloom. When townsfolk heard of the event, they decided that the man must have been an angel. From that point on, the doorway of the St. Fredaino church in Lucca has been called the "Angel Portal".

Besides being the patron saint for domestic workers and maids, she's the one to ask to help find lost keys.

SOURCE : http://www.scborromeo.org/saints/zita.htm

Parish church in Althofen - Altar - Zita

Pfarrkirche in Althofen - Altar - Zita

ST ZITA, VIRGIN

Feast: April 27

She was born in the beginning of the thirteenth century at Montsegradi, a village near Lucca in Italy. She was brought up with the greatest care, in the fear of God, by her poor virtuous mother, whose early and constant attention to inspire the tender heart of her daughter with religious sentiments seemed to find no obstacles, either from private passions or the general corruption of nature, so easily were they prevented or overcome. Zita had no sooner attained the use of reason, and was capable of knowing and loving God, than her heart was no longer able to relish any other object, and she seemed never to lose sight of him in her actions. Her mother reduced all her instructions to two short heads, and never had occasion to use any further remonstrance to enforce her lessons than to say, "This is most pleasing to God; this is the divine will"; or, "That would displease God."

The sweetness and modesty of the young child charmed everyone who saw her. She spoke little, and was most assiduous at her work; but her business never seemed to interrupt her prayers. At twelve years of age she was put to service in the family of a citizen of Lucca, called Fatinelli, whose house was contiguous to the church of St. Frigidian. She was thoroughly persuaded that labour is enjoined all men as a punishment of sin, and as a remedy for the spiritual disorders of their souls; and far from ever harbouring in her breast the least uneasiness, or expressing any sort of complaint under contradictions, poverty, and hardships, and still more from ever entertaining the least idle, inordinate, or worldly desire, she blessed God for placing her in a station in which she was supplied with the most effectual means to promote her sanctification, by the necessity of employing herself in penitential labour, and of living in a perpetual conformity and submission of her will to others. She was also very sensible of the advantages of her state, which afforded all necessaries of life, without engaging her in the anxious cares and violent passions by which worldly persons, who enjoy most plentifully the goods of fortune, are often disturbed; whereby their souls resemble a troubled sea, always agitated by impetuous storms, without knowing the sweetness of a true calm. She considered her work as an employment assigned her by God, and as part of her penance; and obeyed her master and mistress in all things as being placed over her by God. She always rose several hours before the rest of the family and employed in prayer a considerable part of the time which others gave to sleep. She took care to hear mass every morning with great devotion before she was called upon by the duties of her station, in which she employed the whole day with such diligence and fidelity that she seemed to be carried to them on wings, and studied when possible to anticipate them.

Notwithstanding her extreme attention to her exterior employments, she acquired a wonderful facility of joining with them almost continual mental prayer and of keeping her soul constantly attentive to the divine presence. Who would not imagine that such a person should have been esteemed and beloved by all who knew her?

Nevertheless, by the appointment of divine providence, for her great spiritual advantage, it fell out quite otherwise and for several years she suffered the harshest trials. Her modesty was called by her fellow-servants simplicity, and want of spirit and sense; and her diligence was judged to have no other spring than affectation and secret pride. Her mistress was a long time extremely prepossessed against her, and her passionate master could not bear her in his sight without transports of rage.

It is not to be conceived how much the saint had continually to suffer in this situation. So unjustly despised, overburdened, reviled, and often beaten, she never repined nor lost her patience; but always preserved the same sweetness in her countenance, and the same meekness and charity in her heart and words, and abated nothing of her application to her duties. A virtue so constant and so admirable at length overcame jealousy, antipathy, prepossession, and malice.

Her master and mistress discovered the treasure which their family possessed in the fidelity and example of the humble saint, and the other servants gave due praise to her virtue. Zita feared this prosperity more than adversity, and trembled lest it should be a snare to her soul. But sincere humility preserved her from its dangers; and her behaviour, amidst the caresses and respect shown her, continued the same as when she was ill-treated and held in derision; she was no less affable, meek, and modest; no less devout, nor less diligent or ready to serve everyone. Being made housekeeper, and seeing her master and mistress commit to her with an entire confidence the government of their family and management of all their affairs, she was most scrupulously careful in point of economy, remembering that she was to give to God an account of the least farthing of what was intrusted as a depositum in her .hands; and, though head-servant, she never allowed herself the least privilege or exemption in her work on that account.

She used often to say to others that devotion is false if slothful. Hearing a man-servant speak one immodest word, she was filled with horror, and procured him to be immediately discharged from the family. With David, she desired to see it composed only of such whose approved piety might draw down a benediction of God upon the whole house and be a security to the master for their fidelity and good example. She kept fast the whole year, and often on bread and water; and took her rest on the bare floor or on a board. Whenever business allowed her a little leisure, she spent it in holy prayer and contemplation in a little retired room in the garret; and at her work repeated frequently ardent ejaculations of divine love, with which her soul appeared always inflamed. She respected her fellow-servants as her superiors. If she was sent on commissions a mile or two in the greatest storms, she set out without delay, executed them punctually, and returned often almost drowned, without showing any sign of reluctance or murmuring.

By her virtue she gained so great an ascendant over her master that a single word would often suffice to check the greatest transports of his rage; and she would sometimes cast herself at his feet to appease him in favour of others. She never kept anything for herself but the poor garments which she wore: everything else she gave to the poor. Her master, seeing his goods multiply, as it were, in her hands, gave her ample leave to bestow liberal alms on the poor, which she made use of with discretion, but was scrupulous to do nothing without his express authority. If she heard others spoken ill of, she zealously took upon her their defence and excused their faults.

Always when she communicated, and often when she heard mass, and on other occasions, she melted in sweet tears of divine love: she was often favoured with ecstasies during her prayers. In her last sickness she clearly foretold her death, and having prepared herself for her passage by receiving the last sacraments, and by ardent signs of love, she happily expired on the 27th of April, in 1272, being sixty years old: one hundred and fifty miracles wrought in the behalf of such as had recourse to her intercession have been juridically proved. Her body was found entire in 1580 and is kept with great respect in St. Frigidian's church, richly enshrined; her face and hands are exposed naked to view through a crystal glass. Pope Leo X granted an office in her honour. The city of Lucca pays a singular veneration to her memory.

The solemn decree of her beatification was published by Innocent XII in 1696, with the confirmation of her immemorial veneration. See her life, compiled by a contemporary writer, and published by Papebroke, the Bollandist, on the 27th of April, p. 497, and Benedict XIV De Canoniz. lib. ii. c. 24, p. 245.

(Taken from Vol. IV of "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints" by the Rev. Alban Butler, the 1864 edition published by D. & J. Sadlier, & Company)

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SOURCE : http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/zita.htm

Saint Zita (c. 1212 – 27 April 1272) is the patron saint of maids and domestic servants. She is also appealed to in order to help find lost keys.

Born at Monte Sagrati, Italy, she entered into the service of the Fratinelli family, wool dealers in Lucca, at the age of twelve. Immediately disliked by the other servants for her hard work and obvious goodness, she earned their special enmity because of her habit of giving away food and clothing to the poor including those of her employers. 

In time, she won over the members of the household.

According to one tradition, the other servants were convinced when one day they found an angel taking Zita’s place in baking and cleaning. 

Throughout her life she labored on behalf of the poor and suffering as well as criminals languishing in prisons. She was also credited with a variety of miracles. Canonized in 1696, she is depicted in art with a bag and keys, or loaves of bread

SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-zita/

Zita of Lucca V (RM)

(also known as Sitha, Citha)

Born at Monte Sagrati, near Lucca, Tuscany, Italy; died in Lucca on April 27, 1278; liturgical cultus permitted locally by Leo X (early 16th century); canonized in 1696; name added to the Roman Martyrology in 1748 by Benedict XIV.

For two hundred years before and after the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in 800 AD, female saints were obscured by time and circumstance. Thereafter, in the Age of Mysticism from about 1000 to 1500, we witness the re-emergence of saintly female mystics, such as Hildegard and Catherine of Siena.

Christian mysticism is an endeavor to reach a knowledge of and union with God directly and experientially. The mystic renounces his senses and the images they offer of God, seeking instead to wander down a negative road. Often, this type of contemplative prayer leads to abnormal psychic states that culminate in ecstasy, which is sanctified when perfectly united with God. The individuals who reach this state normally exhibit extraordinary self-knowledge and become fully free, unique human beings. The heightened mystical sense also leads to an ever more passionate love of God.

As will be shown frequently in these biographies of the saints, the mystical life in no way conflicts with the duties of any Christian state of life: married (e.g., Francis of Rome), avowed celibate (Saint Teresa of Avila), or domestic servant.

Saint Zita was born in a mountain village near Lucca into a very devout family. Her elder sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle, Graziano, was a hermit who was locally regarded as a saint. From the age of 12, Zita was a domestic servant in the family of Pagano di Fatinelli of Lucca, a wool and silk merchant. This devoted woman, who was deeply religious, remained with this family all her life. She served it for 48 years--as maid servant, then housekeeper, and governess--and every member of the family had the deepest respect and affection for her.

There are numerous stories of her attention to household duties, of her care for beggars, of her devotion to religious practices, and of the fidelity with which she attended Mass each day of her adult life at the Church of San Frediano. The good food she was provided by her employer, she would distribute to the poor. More often than not, she could be found sleeping on the bare ground or lost in prayer, after having given up her bed to a beggar. Her work was part of her religion, as it should be for us, a way of serving God in our neighbor.

At first her fellow servants mocked her piety and kindness. Zita paid no attention, and in the end they grew to admire her. But her master was often irritated that she gave away so much. During a local famine she secretly gave away much of the family supply of beans. When her master inspected the kitchen cupboards, to Zita's relief the beans had been miraculously restocked (recall the similar story about Saint Frances of Rome). Another story tells that angels baked her bread while she was rapt in ecstasy

A characteristic story of her generous nature is of how one Christmas Eve, when she was setting out for the early morning service, the cold was so intense that her employer, seeing her in her thin gown, wrapped his own fur cloak round her shoulders, and insisted on her taking it. "But take care of it," he said, "and be sure to bring it back." At the church door, however, Zita saw a poor man in rags, numb with cold and begging for alms. She could never resist a beggar and on the impulse of the moment she took off her master's cloak and put it round him. "It will keep you warm," she said, "and you can return it to me when the service is over." But when she came out of the church, the man had gone, and in great distress she returned home without the cloak. Her employer, naturally, was angry, but what troubled Zita most was that, out of pity for another, she had abused his kindness.

The story had a happy sequel, for the next day a stranger came to the door and restored the missing cloak. People later decided that the poor old man must have been an angel in disguise, and so the door of the Church of San Frediano, Lucca, where he first appeared, is called the Angel Portal.

Zita was always moved by generous impulse, and endeared herself to all by her compassionate nature, and all her life long she was sustained by a simple and strong faith in God. Zita was embarrassed by the veneration in which her employers and neighbors held her later in life. Nevertheless, she was happy that some of her domestic duties were relieved because it gave her the time to tend to the sick, the poor, and prisoners. She had a special devotion to criminals awaiting execution, on whose behalf she would spend hours in prayer.

Zita died peacefully at the age of 60, having sanctified herself in a life of humble domestic tasks, and as the little Maid of Lucca is numbered among the saints. Immediately, a popular cultus developed around her tomb at San Frediano. Her cultus spread to other countries in the later Middle Ages, as testified by chapels in her honor as scattered as vat Palermo, Sicily, and Ely, England (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Farmer, Gill, Encyclopedia, Martindale, Walsh, White).

In art, Saint Zita is depicted in the working clothes of a maid servant with her emblem: keys. She may be shown (1) with a rosary, bag, and keys; (2) with a rosary; (3) with two keys and three loaves; (4) with keys and a book; (5) with a basket of fruit; (6) with a bag and book; (7) with a book and rosary; or (8) praying at a well (Roeder, White). She appears in mural paintings (Shorthampton, Oxon.), in stained glass (Mells and Langport, Somerset), and on rood screens in Norfolk (Barton Turf), Suffolk (Somerleyton), and Devon (Ashton) (Farmer).

Saint Zita is the patroness of housewives and servants. In England, she was known as Sitha and invoked by housewives and servants searching for lost keys or crossing raging rivers (White). She is still venerated at Lucca, where her body is housed in the Cappella di Santa Zita in the church of San Frediano (Jepson, Roeder).

SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0427.shtml

Statue of Saint Zita (Giovanni Pandiani, 1858) Cathedral in Milan,roof

Szent Zita szobra a milánói dóm szobordísze

April 27

St. Zita, Virgin

SHE was born in the beginning of the thirteenth century, at Montsegradi, a village near Lucca, in Italy. She was brought up with the greatest care, in the fear of God, by her poor virtuous mother, whose early and constant attention to inspire the tender heart of her daughter with religious sentiments seemed to find no obstacles, either from private passions or the general corruption of nature; so easily were they prevented or overcome. Zita had no sooner attained the use of reason, and was capable of knowing and loving God, than her heart was no longer able to relish any other object, and she seemed never to lose sight of him in her actions. Her mother reduced all her instructions to two short heads, and never had occasion to use any further remonstrance to enforce her lessons than to say: “This is most pleasing to God; this is the divine will,” or, “That would displease God.” The sweetness and modesty of the young child charmed every one who saw her. She spoke little, and was most assiduous at her work, but her business never seemed to interrupt her prayers. At twelve years of age she was put to service in the family of a citizen of Lucca, called Fatinelli, whose house was contiguous to the church of St. Frigidian. She was thoroughly persuaded that labour is enjoined all men as a punishment of sin, and as a remedy for the spiritual disorders of their souls: and, far from ever harbouring in her breast the least uneasiness, or expressing any sort of complaint under contradictions, poverty, and hardships, and still more from ever entertaining the least idle, inordinate, or worldly desire, she blessed God for placing her in a station in which she was supplied with the most effectual means to promote her sanctification, by the necessity of employing herself in penitential labour, and of living in a perpetual conformity and submission of her will to others. She was also very sensible of the advantages of her state, which afforded all necessaries of life, without engaging her in the anxious cares and violent passions by which worldly persons, who enjoy most plentifully the goods of fortune, are often disturbed; whereby their souls resemble a troubled sea, always agitated by impetuous storms, without knowing the sweetness of a true calm. She considered her work as an employment assigned her by God, and as part of her penance; and obeyed her master and mistress in all things, as being placed over her by God. She always rose several hours before the rest of the family, and employed in prayer a considerable part of the time which others gave to sleep. She took care to hear mass every morning with great devotion, before she was called upon by the duties of her station, in which she employed the whole day with such diligence and fidelity that she seemed to be carried to them on wings, and studied when possible to anticipate them. Notwithstanding her extreme attention to her exterior employments, she acquired a wonderful facility of joining with them almost continual mental prayer, and of keeping her soul constantly attentive to the divine presence. Who would not imagine that such a person should have been esteemed and beloved by all who knew her? Nevertheless, by the appointment of divine providence, for her great spiritual advantage, it fell out quite otherwise, and for several years she suffered the harshest trials. Her modesty was called by her fellow-servants simplicity, and want of spirit and sense; and her diligence was judged to have no other spring than affectation and secret pride. Her mistress was a long time extremely prepossessed against her, and her passionate master could not bear her in his sight without transports of rage. It is not to be conceived how much the saint had continually to suffer in this situation. So unjustly despised, overburdened, reviled, and often beaten, she never repined nor lost her patience; but always preserved the same sweetness in her countenance, and the same meekness and charity in her heart and words, and abated nothing of her application to her duties. A virtue so constant and so admirable, at length overcame jealousy, antipathy, prepossession, and malice. Her master and mistress discovered the treasure which their family possessed in the fidelity and example of the humble saint, and the other servants gave due praise to her virtue. Zita feared this prosperity more than adversity, and trembled lest it should be a snare to her soul. But sincere humility preserved her from its dangers; and her behaviour, amidst the caresses and respect shown her, continued the same as when she was ill-treated and held in derision; she was no less affable, meek, and modest; no less devout, nor less diligent or ready to serve every one. Being made housekeeper, and seeing her master and mistress commit to her, with an entire confidence, the government of their family and management of all their affairs, she was most scrupulously careful in point of economy, remembering that she was to give to God an account of the least farthing of what was intrusted as a depositum in her hands; and, though head-servant, she never allowed herself the least privilege or exemption in her work on that account. She used often to say to others, that devotion is false if slothful. Hearing a man-servant speak one immodest word, she was filled with horror, and procured him to be immediately discharged from the family. With David, she desired to see it composed only of such whose approved piety might drawn down a benediction of God upon the whole house, and be a security to the master for their fidelity and good example. She fasted the whole year, and often on bread and water; and took her rest on the bare floor, or on a board. Whenever business allowed her a little leisure, she spent it in holy prayer and contemplation in a little retired room in the garret; and at her work repeated frequently ardent ejaculations of divine love, with which her soul appeared always inflamed. She respected her fellow-servants as her superiors. If she were sent on commissions a mile or two in the greatest storms, she set out without delay, executed them punctually, and returned often almost drowned, without showing any sign of reluctance or murmuring. By her virtue she gained so great an ascendant over her master, that a single word would often suffice to check the greatest transports of his rage; and she would sometimes cast herself at his feet to appease him in favour of others. She never kept anything for herself but the poor garments which she wore; every thing else she gave to the poor. Her master, seeing his goods multiply, as it were, in her hands, gave her ample leave to bestow liberal alms on the poor; which she made use of with discretion, but was scrupulous to do nothing without his express authority. If she heard others spoken ill of, she zealously took upon her their defence, and excused their faults. Always when she communicated, and often when she heard mass, and on other occasions, she melted in sweet tears of divine love: she was often favoured with ecstacies during her prayers. In her last sickness, she clearly foretold her death, and having prepared herself for her passage by receiving the last sacraments, and by ardent sighs of love, she happily expired on the 27th of April, in 1272, being sixty years old: one hundred and fifty miracles wrought in the behalf of such as had recourse to her intercession have been juridically proved. Her body was found entire in 1580, and is kept with great respect in St. Frigidian’s church, richly enshrined; her face and hands are exposed naked to view through a crystal glass. Pope Leo X. granted an office in her honour. The city of Lucca pays a singular veneration to her memory. The solemn decree of her beatification was published by Innocent XII. in 1696, with the confirmation of her immemorial veneration. See her life compiled by a contemporary writer, and published by Papebroke the Bollandist, on the 27th of April, p. 497, and Benedict XIV. De Canoniz. l. 2, c. 24, p. 245.

Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73).  Volume IV: April. The Lives of the Saints.  1866.

SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/4/273.html

Frontispiece of Fatinellus de Fatinellis (1627–1719): Vita beatae Zitae virginis Lucensis, ex vetustissimo codice m.s. fidelitèr transumpta.Ferrara: Typographia Filoniana, 1688. showing Zita changing water into wine.

Santa Zita (Cita) Vergine

27 aprile

Monsagrati, Lucca, 1218 - Lucca, 27 aprile 1278

Nacque da una famiglia molto umile. A 12 anni dovette andare come domestica presso la nobile casa dei Fatinelli, a Lucca. Attenta e puntigliosa nell'attività lavorativa, sopportava angherie e rimproveri dei padroni, che la trattavano come una «serva». Inoltre, spesso doveva coprire con il suo impegno le manchevolezze degli altri domestici. La sua gentilezza d'animo finì per conquistare l'affetto della famiglia che le affidò la direzione della casa. Ne approfittò per aiutare le persone più povere senza mai sottrarre nulla agli altri. Metteva da parte quanto riusciva a risparmiare per soccorrere le persone bisognose. Morì il 27 aprile 1272. La sua fama si diffuse in breve tempo, tanto che i cittadini di Lucca chiesero che venisse sepolta nella Basilica di San Frediano dov'è tuttora custodita. Il suo culto fu approvato nel 1696 da Papa Innocenzo XII. Venne proclamata patrona delle domestiche da Pio XII. (Avvenire)

Patronato: Casalinghe, Serve, Fornai

Etimologia: Zita = (forse) vergine, dal persiano

Emblema: Chiavi, Giglio

Martirologio Romano: A Lucca, santa Zita, vergine, che, di umili natali, fu per dodici anni domestica in casa della famiglia Fatinelli e in questo servizio perseverò con straordinaria pazienza fino alla morte.

Santa Zita di Lucca (1218-1278) fu un’umile domestica che per tutta la vita rimase fedele al proprio lavoro e all’impegno di carità. Originaria di Monsagrati, a dodici anni andò a servizio presso la famiglia lucchese dei Fatinelli, agiati mercanti di seta, dove si fece subito apprezzare per dedizione e generosità. Anche troppa per i gusti del padrone di casa, che un giorno la sorprese a uscire col grembiule colmo. Erano i pani che avrebbe distribuito ai poveri. Zita, infatti, metteva ogni giorno da parte il cibo avanzato per darlo a chi aveva fame. Temendo d’essere redarguita, la donna disse che portava in grembo solo fiori e fronde. La leggenda vuole che quando il camice si aprì ne uscirono ramoscelli e boccioli. Ancora oggi in aprile si tiene a Lucca una fiera floreale a ricordo del miracolo dei pani trasformati in fiori.

La fama di bontà si diffuse rapidamente e già in vita Zita era considerata una santa. Quando si spense accorse tanta folla che si dovette portar via di nascosto la salma, posta in una cappella della basilica di San Frediano, dov’è ancora visibile in una teca di vetro. La sua popolarità fin dal XIII secolo è testimoniata anche da Dante Alighieri, che la cita nella Divina Commedia, definendo un magistrato lucchese «anzian di santa Zita». Don Guanella, a sua volta santo, a fine Ottocento le dedicò l’opera a favore delle giovani domestiche. Nei Ricordini di santa Zita scrisse dei pensieri come se parlasse lei stessa: «Considera che sei un vaso fragile nel corpo, soggetto a molte infermità. Orbene, se il tuo malessere fisico reca i sintomi di malattia considerevole, abbiti compassione con prestarti sollecita cura». Un consiglio utilissimo in tempi pandemici.

Autore: Enzo Romeo

Santa Zita nacque nel 1218 da una povera famiglia di Monsagrati, in diocesi di Lucca. Dall’età di appena dodici anni fu al servizio della nobile famiglia dei Fatinelli a Lucca. Sempre contraddistinta da un forte senso del dovere, gioiosa ed umile di carattere, visse ammirevolmente gli ideali e le virtù evangeliche, assorta nell’assidua contemplazione dei divini misteri. Seppe ben coniugare la sua austerità di vita con una carità sempre vigile verso il prossimo più indigente. Una leggenda narra come un'altra domestica dei Fatinelli, invidiosa dell'affetto ricevuto da Zita, avrebbe iniziato ad insinuare nella mente del capo famiglia il sospetto che ella rubasse in casa quanto donava ai poveri; un giorno il padrone, incontrando Zita con il grembiule gonfio mentre si recava da una famiglia bisognosa, le avrebbe chiesto cosa portasse; nonostante questo fosse pieno di pane, Zita rispose che portava solo fiori e fronde, che caddero infatti sciogliendo il grembiule. Nel 1278 morì raggiungendo così lo Sposo celeste.

I lucchesi vollero che le sue spoglie trovassero degna sepoltura nella basilica di San Frediano. Zita era già così venerata in Toscana da essere citata da Dante Alighieri nella Divina Commedia poco dopo la morte, facendo riferimento ad un magistrato di Lucca detto “anzian di santa Zita”, identificando così Lucca con la donna che ancora non era stata canonizzata dalla Chiesa. Papa Innocenzo XII nel 1695 ne ratificò e confermò il culto. Il Venerabile Pio XII nel 1955 dichiarò solennemente “la vergine Santa Zita Patrona presso Dio delle domestiche e di tutte le donne addette alla cura della casa”. La santa è titolare della congregazione femminile delle Suore Oblate dello Spirito Santo, detta anche Istituto di Santa Zita.

Oltre all'Arcidiocesi di Lucca, anche la Diocesi di Massa Carrara - Pontremoli commemora al 27 aprile questa santa in quanto suo padre è considerato dalla tradizione originario del Borgo di Succisa, nel comune di Pontremoli, dove ancora esiste una piccola cappella eretta in suo onore.

Autore: Fabio Arduino

Patrona di Lucca e protettrice di camerieri, cuochi e cuoche, inservienti, fornai, casalinghe, domestiche e guardarobiere, Santa Zita nasce a Monsagrati (Lucca) nel 1218, in una famiglia di contadini poveri e religiosi. Cresce in una casa densa di buoni esempi, aiuta i genitori in campagna, si accontenta di quello che la natura offre anche se a stento riesce a sfamarsi. Ha dodici anni ed è analfabeta quando, per non essere di peso alla famiglia, va a Lucca a lavorare come domestica per la famiglia del nobile Fatinelli. Zita è una ragazza umile e caritatevole.

Lavora con gioia, prega ma non chiede nulla per se stessa. Quando si reca a piedi in pellegrinaggio presso i santuari chiede al Cielo di aiutare i poveri. La giovane vive parsimoniosamente: quel poco che riesce a racimolare con il suo faticosissimo lavoro lo regala agli indigenti. Durante ogni frugale pasto cerca di avanzare il pane per gli affamati. I padroni la trattano con severità e gli altri domestici la disprezzano, ma Zita risponde alle cattive azioni con il perdono.

Alla santa vengono attribuiti molti miracoli. Tra i più noti la conversione di pezzi di pane in rose. Un giorno, il nobile Fatinelli chiede a Zita – su suggerimento di una domestica invidiosa – cosa porta nascosto nel grembiule. Non volendo mentire, Zita descrive in questo modo la carità che intende fare e risponde: «Rose». Quando il padrone le ordina di aprire il grembiule, invece di pezzi di pane, cadono rose profumate. Si narra anche di moltiplicazione del cibo e di trasformazione dell’acqua in vino. Per tutta la vita rimane come domestica presso la famiglia Fatinelli che con il tempo riconosce le qualità e la bontà di Zita.

Alla sua morte, avvenuta a Monsagrati nel 1278, i Fatinelli fanno scrivere la storia della sua vita e dei suoi cento miracoli e costruiscono una cappella in suo onore, nella chiesa cittadina di San Frediano, dove il suo corpo è visitabile tuttora. La devozione popolare diventa subito eccezionale. Santa Zita è così famosa da essere citata nella Divina Commedia da Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). A lei è intitolata la Congregazione delle Suore Oblate dello Spirito Santo. Lucca la ricorda ogni anno il 27 aprile con una grande festa e una fiera di piante e fiori. Santa Zita viene invocata contro la perdita della memoria e per ritrovare le chiavi di casa.

Autore: Mariella Lentini

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/32050

Santa Zita Vergine

patrona universale delle collaboratrici domestiche [1]

La famiglia di origine

Zita nasce nel 1218 a Monsagrati a 16km da Lucca in una  famiglia povera e di grandi virtù cristiane. I suoi  genitori si chiamavano Giovanni e Bonissima. A Monsagrati Giovanni si era recato fin da giovinetto dalla natia Soccisa, vicino a Pontremoli. Essendo di condizioni poverissime, si era fermato là facendo il pastore e il contadino.. Quand’ebbe vent’anni pensò a formarsi una famiglia. Era povero ma buono, e per questo nella sua patria adottiva tutti lo amavano e lo stimavano. Pensava a quale potesse essere la fanciulla del suo cuore; non la voleva ricca, non solo perché le sue condizioni non glielo consentivano, ma anche perché le ricchezze non bastavano a rendere felice un matrimonio: la voleva buona e trovò un tesoro. Il nome di Buonissima sembrava una predizione per la sua vita fatta nel giorno del Battesimo. La memoria non ha lasciato ne il nome ne il numero esatto dei loro figli ad eccezione di una figlia di nome Margherita e della nostra Santa. Margherita non fu seconda a Zita nella santificazione della sua anima e fu Zita stessa che si occupò di lei perché potesse seguire la sua vocazione; mirabile esempio  di come si debbano amare le sorelle e come debbano aiutarsi, non solo per la vita materiale, ma soprattutto per quella dello spirito. La Divina Provvidenza si servì della stessa Zita, andata a Lucca per servizio, per far trovare alla sorella un convento dove seguire la chiamata di Dio. Fu così che Margherita, divenuata monaca cistercense, visse anch’essa nelle più alte virtù e morì in concetto di Santa.

L’infanzia

Al fonte battesimale fu imposto alla nostra il nome di Zita. Questo nome è pieno di significato perché nel linguaggio di allora significava “vergine”.

Zita, infatti, passerà i suoi anni nella più pura verginità servendo fedelmente Dio.

Seguendo l’esempio dei genitori, la piccola Zita inizia gli anni della sua vita in un aurea di santità. Le ristrettezze e la miseria renderanno la sua casa somigliante alla casa di Nazareth. Zita passa questi anni ora intenta ai lavori domestici con la più pronta obbedienza, ora assorta nella preghiera.

La casa  di Zita era come un tempio dove il lavoro e il dolore, dove le gioie e le amarezze erano offerte a Dio. La giornata cominciava e si chiudeva con la preghiera rivolta al Signore e alla Madonna.

Zita fu sempre molto devota alla Vergine e in suo onore fece anche pellegrinaggi, la invocherà nei momenti più difficili e sempre sperimenterà il suo amore materno e la sua protezione. L’assiduità della preghiera, tuttavia, non le impediva di compiere fedelmente gli altri doveri. Oltre le faccende domestiche Zita aiutava il padre nei lavori dei campi, secondo le forze della sua tenera età. Una tradizione locale la presenta con un piccolo gregge di pecore che accompagna al pascolo; e nel silenzio dei boschi tra il canto degli uccelli e l’incontro con la natura essa trova l’ambiente adatto per elevare il suo amore a Dio.

Nella nuova famiglia

A questa umile fanciulla Dio riservava una grande missione.

Ogni collaboratrice famigliare avrebbe avuto in lei un esempio e una patrona. Infatti essa ha saputo indicare come, pur svolgendo mansioni umili, si può salire in alto nella carità e nella contemplazione. Le circostanze avviarono Zita su questa strada provvidenziale. La povertà della casa richiedeva che essa non aggravasse con la sua presenza il misero bilancio famigliare. Fu così che ancora in tenera età – aveva appena dodici anni – Zita pensò di recarsi a servizio in qualche casa di signori. Suo padre, quand’ella gi espresse il desiderio, dapprima cercò e si consigliò. Quand’egli ebbe saputo che a Lucca la nobile famiglia Futinelli cercava una ragazza che aiutasse per i lavori della casa, s’informò e dopo aver saputo che la famiglia era ottima, vi accompagnò Zita che così lasciò la nativa Monsagrati. Arrivata nella nuova famiglia, Zita ne diventò subito la beniamina; la sua tenera età, ma soprattutto la sua bontà la resero cara ai componenti della famiglia.

Mentre i ricchi mercanti di casa Fotinelli attendevano ai loro affari, Zita, nel disbrigo di tutte le faccende, sapeva attirare l’animo di quanti la avvicinavano. Fin dai primi giorni la sua vita fu divisa fra preghiera e lavoro: anzi, anche lo stesso lavoro era trasformato in continua preghiera.

Al mattino, per poter andare in chiesa, sapeva sacrificare il sonno, nonostante le giornate di intenso lavoro. La matttina era in piedi molto presto. Quando i padroni si alzavano, Zita aveva già compiuto le sue pratiche di pietà ed accudito a molte faccende.

Ella faceva tesoro del tempo, svolgendo diversi lavori: dalla pulizia della casa alla preparazione delle vivante, alla cura dei mobili, dei vestiti, della biancheria, fino al bucato e alla preparazione del pane. Detestava l’ozio e nei ritagli di tempo si dedicava agli utili lavori femminili del cucito, della maglia e del fuso. Sceglieva i lavori più umili e faticosi: i documenti ci informano infatti che lavorava tanto da ridursi esile “come un fuscello”. La sua giornate, passata così in unione con Dio, era ricca di tutte le virtù a cominciare da quelle che di tutte è fondamento: l’umiltà. In quanto umile amava venire umiliata. Quando i suoi padroni, benché contenti di lei, trovavano motivo per rimproverarla, essa non si risentiva, quantunque quei rimproveri fossero ingiusti, ma si inginocchiava a chiedere perdono. La sua umiltà era un ammaestramento ad imitarla in tanta virtù. Alla povertà nel vestire aggiungeva un vitto esiguo; spesso le cose che le venivano offerte, le metteva da parte per i suoi poveri e si nutriva solo del necessario per avere le  forze sufficienti ad eseguire bene i lavori che il dovere le imponeva. La sua persona era ridotta a carne e ossa. Questo continuo digiuno era la vita ordinaria. Nei digiuni straordinari si privava di ogni cosa. Limitava le ore di sonno e nel pieno della notte, mentre tutti riposavano, supplicava Dio per la salvezza delle anime. Le virtù di Zita erano rafforzate da ferventi comunioni. Quando Lucca fu colpita dall’interdetto pontificio, percui le chiese erano chiuse e non si amministravano i sacramenti, Zita si recò con lunghissimi viaggi nella confinante diocesi di Pisa per poter accostarsi alla Comunione.

Miracoli

Per le sue capacità e virtù Zita fu preposta dai suoi padroni alla cura di tutta la famiglia. Per le sue responsabilità, Zita, non poteva trattenersi lungamente in Chiesa, ma doveva per tempo tornare in famiglia. Una mattina era andata a fare la Santa Comunione nella vicina chiesa di San Frediano e nel ringraziamento era stata così fervida che aveva perso la nozione del tempo. Era quello il giorno in cui doveva fare il pane. Corre a casa tutta preoccupata per recuperare il tempo perduto, apre la madia… la farinata è già stata impastata e si deve solo metterla in forno a cuocere. Cerca, interroga, vuol sapere chi è stata fra le compagne di servizio. Nessuna è stata, le compagne che conoscono le virtù di Zita dicono: quel pane lo hanno impostato gli angeli.

Se Zita ebbe in grado eroico tutte le virtù, una è però la caratteristica della sua vita: la carità verso i poveri. Zita intende la carità non solo come aiuto materiale, ma ancora e prima di tutto come aiuto spirituale. Ai poveri non solo dava il pane della carità, ma li aiutava a diventare migliori. Dio si degnò molte volte di completare l’opera con prodigi.

Narra un antico manoscritto che un anno la carestia colpì duramente la città di Lucca, per cui il grano costava moltissimo a causa dei profittatori.

Zita, dopo aver dato, una mattina, tutto il pane ai poveri, e non sapendo come fare per sfamare  altri poveri che si presentavano a casa Fatinelli, diede loro il contenuto di un cassone di fave che il suo padrone doveva vendere. Quando il padrone le ordinò di verificare il contenuto e di consegnarlo all’acquirente, Zita, confidando nella Provvidenza, lo aprì e vide che il cassone era ancora pieno.

Ancora Zita valendosi della stima di cui godeva presso i nobili Fatinelli non tralasciava niente per venire in aiuto ai poveri. Ogni giorno partiva per portare soccorso a domicilio a delle povere vedove e ai poveri del vicinato. Un giorno scende le scale con il grembiule pieno di pezzi di pane. Zita incontra il suo padrone che, quel giorno, è di pessimo umore e le chiede cosa c’è nel suo grembiule. Zita risponde che ci sono rose ed altri fiori.

E così, per intervento divino, accade. Con stupore dell’uno e meraviglia dell’altra, Zita può proseguire il suo cammino.

I signori Fatinelli dovevano continuamente dare consigli di prudenza aZita che si privava del necessario per darlo ai poveri. Così fu la sera di Natale. Zita si stava preparando per la Messa della Natività. Era un inverno molto rigido, era caduta abbondantemente la neve e Zita non era abbastanza riparata dal freddo, essendole rimasto solo il necessario per essere coperta. La signora Fatinelli le presta la sua pelliccia, ma le ricorda di riportargliela, non di regalarla. Zita, prima di entrare nella chiesa di San Frediano, vede un poverello che muore dal freddo. Gli da la pelliccia pregando di restituirgliela, perché non è la sua. Finisce la Messa, Zita resta a lungo in preghiera. Quando esce è ormai l’alba: il poverello non c’è più e con lui è sparita la pelliccia. Zita non pensa ai rimproveri della padrona, ma prova un senso di colpa per aver fatto attender troppo il poverello. Zita torna a casa e viene inevitabilmente rimproverata dalla padrona.

Verso l’ora di pranzo si ode bussare alla porta: era il poverello che portava il manto impellicciato. Quando egli sta per andare via una luce abbagliante inonda la sala. Tutti rimangono stupiti. Una gioia mai provata pervade i loro animi. Se non era Gesù, era certamente un suo Angelo.

C’è un pozzo dove nel giorno della Festa della Santa i fedeli vanno a bere per devozione. Questo pozzo, situato accanto alla porta d’ingresso dell’antico palazzo Fatinelli è celebre non solo perché ad esso attingeva acqua Santa Zita, ma per un fatto miracoloso che si è compiuto.

Un giorno si presenta là un poverello.  È stanco e assetato. Zita va al pozzo a porgergli da bere, fa un segno sull’acqua. Quell’acqua diventa gustosissimo vino che corrobora il viandante, il quale prosegue il suo cammino raccontando a tutti il prodigio con cui il Signore aveva premia to la carità della sua serva.

Anche al tempo di Zita erano molto in uso i pellegrinaggi nei luoghi Santi della Fede. La nostra Santa seguiva in quest’opera buona l’usanza dei tempi. Dai suoi padroni aveva libertà in certi giorni e usava questi giorni liberi per dedicarsi intensamente alla preghiera e per fare pellegrinaggi. Fra questi ve n’è uno rimasto famoso, perché Zita fu accompagnata da una prodigiosa pellegrina. Zita era partita insieme a una compagna verso S. Giacomo del Poggio, poco distante da Pisa, per continuare fino a San Pietro a Grado, nella stessa diocesi ma molto distante dalla città. Giunte le due amiche al paese di San Giacomo (erano ancora digiune) la compagna invità Zita a tornarsene indietro. La Santa rispose che non poteva lasciare a metà un opera intrapresa, ma l’altra, decisa, tornò indietro lasciando Zita da sola. Ella continuò il suo cammino e giunse nella chiesa di San Pietro a Grado e s’immerse nella preghiera. Era ormai il tardo pomeriggio e Zita si accingeva a riprendere il suo cammino per tornare alla sua città e alle sue occupazioni. Chi la vede le consiglia, data l’ora tarda, di non viaggiare di notte. Ma Zita vuole essere a casa il giorno dopo per riprendere i suoi impegni all’ora stabilita. Ella quindi si mette in viaggio lungo le vie malsicure e infide. Al paese di S. Lorenzo a Vaccoli si vede ancora la fontana alla quale bevve la Santa in questo viaggio. Quando era ormai vicina allo Stato di Lucca più che la volontà potè il digiuno. Con tutta quella fatica erano quasi trentasei ore che non mangiava. Zita si siede presso una fonte stremata, allunga il braccio per bagnare la mano quando si sente posare una mano sulla spalla e sente dire: “Vuoi venire a Lucca con me?” La stanca pellegrina sente rinvigorirsi le forze. Una robustezza nuova la spinge, si alza e riprende il viaggio insieme con la sconosciuta. Quando arriva al confine dello Stato di Lucca, le porte chiuse a chiave si aprono all’avvicinarsi della Signora. Giunta a casa Fatinelli può riprendere il lavoro. Chiama le compagne che dormono. Prima però non dimentica di ringraziare la misteriosa e buona accompagnatrice. Fa per porgerle la mano: non c’è più. La pia credenza giunta fino a noi è che quella Signora non era altri che la Vergine che aveva protetto e accompagnato la sua fervente devota. 

La morte

La vita di Zita trascorre quindi nella più profonda umiltà e carità; le preghiere e la penitenza erano state la pratica costante di tutti i suoi giorni. Per nulla attaccata alla vita, la sua unica aspirazione era il cielo e suo diventa il grido di San Paolo: “Desidero essere disciolto da questo corpo di morte ed essere con Cristo”.

Il Signore ascolta l’invocazione. Zita si ammala di una leggera febbre e si pone in un letto. Tutti pensano che sarà certamente qualcosa di grave perché Zita non si metteva a letto per un male leggero. Viene chiamato il sacerdote. Zita fa la confessione della sua vita e riceve ancora una volta la Santa Eucaristia. Ella muore alle nove del mattino del 27 aprile 1278.

È A DISPOSIZIONE UNA PUBBLICAZIONE PIU’ APPROFONDITA SULLA SANTA PRESSO LA PARROCCHIA

[1] Con un breve apostolico dell’11 Marzo 1956 Pio XII proclama Zita patrona universale delle lavoratrici della casa in quanto le sue doti di cristiana umiltà, di ubbidienza, correttezza nei costumi, di adempimento del dovere ella poteva costituire una Patrona alla quale ricorrere con fiducia nelle difficoltà e da cui trarre esempio di vita cristiana.

SOURCE : http://www.parrocchie.it/genova/nostrasignora/santa_zita.htm

Valerio Castello  (1624–1659). Milagre de Santa Zita, de 1653 à 1654, 96 x 72, Museu Nacional de Belas Artes  

Den hellige Zita av Lucca (~1218-1278)

Minnedag: 27. april

Skytshelgen for Lucca; for hushjelper, husholdersker og tjenestefolk

Den hellige Zita (Citha, Scytha, Sitha) ble født rundt 1218 i Monsagrati ved Lucca i Italia. Navnet betyr «jente», og lever videre i sin diminutivform «zittella», som betyr ugift kvinne på italiensk. Hun var datter av Johannes og Bonissima Lombardo. Hele familien var svært from; Zitas eldre søster ble senere cisterciensernonne og en bror av moren, Graziano, bodde på Monte Supeglia som eremitt. Folket lokalt æret ham som hellig slik at de kalte fjellet Monte San Graziano.

Ettersom familien var svært fattig, fikk Zita ingen nevneverdig utdannelse. Men allerede som barn levde hun et dypt åndelig liv etter svært enkle prinsipper. Samme hva hun hadde for seg, spurte hun seg alltid først: «Kommer Jesus til å like det?» Med dette spørsmålet for øye vokste hun opp til å bli en from og arbeidsom jente, som hjalp til på foreldrenes gårdsbruk og solgte produktene på markedet i Lucca.

Zita måtte som tolvåring begynne i tjeneste i den velstående veveren og ull- og silkehandleren Pagano di Fatinellis hushold i Lucca, tolv kilometer fra hjemstedet. Der ble hun i de resterende 48 år av sitt liv. Hun var svært from og samvittighetsfull i sitt arbeid. Med sin frues tillatelse sto hun opp svært tidlig, og når de andre tjenerne våknet, var hun allerede tilbake fra den daglige messen i kirken San Frediano og i gang med arbeidet, som hun utførte bedre enn noe annet. Dette skapte motvilje mot henne fra de andre tjenerne, særlig når hun i tillegg avslo alle invitasjoner om å gå på byen og «more seg». Men hun beholdt sitt glade humør og møtte alle med vennlighet.

Men hun var ikke fornøyd med bare å være en god tjener, hun ville også være en god neste, og hun ble kjent for sin omsorg for de fattige. Hun ga bort sine egne klær og sin egen mat til de trengende, og noen ganger arbeidsgiverens mat også. Hun ga ofte sin seng til en tigger og sov selv på gulvet. Hennes arbeidsgiver var ikke så begeistret for at hun ga bort så mye til fattige, så i begynnelsen ble hun misforstått og behandlet dårlig. Men som årene gikk, førte hennes tålmodighet og godhet til at hun ble en nær venn og fortrolig både til hele familien og de andre tjenerne.

I Zitas senere år ble hun fritatt fra mye av sitt arbeid i huset slik at hun kunne vie seg til å ta seg av de syke og fattige og få bedre tid til sin spesielle oppgave, som var å tjene fanger som var dømt til døden. I Lucca ble det fortalt historier om mirakler knyttet til hennes person, og om overnaturlige åpenbaringer. En av historiene fortalte at engler bakte hennes brød mens hun var revet bort i ekstase, og at det var da de andre tjenerne ble overbevist. En annen gang ga hun under en hungersnød i hemmelighet bort mye av familiens lager av bønner. Men da husets herre inspiserte kjøkkenskapene, hadde de bønnene som var igjen, til Zitas store lettelse mangfoldiggjort seg.

En karakteristisk historie om hennes sjenerøse natur forteller at hun en julaften morgen var på vei til en tidlig messe. Men det var så kaldt at da hennes herre så hennes tynne klær, la han sin egen pelsfrakk rundt skuldrene hennes og insisterte at hun skulle ta den på seg. Men han ba henne passe godt på den og sørge for å få med den tilbake. Men ved kirkedøren så Zita en tigger kledd i filler, han var nummen av kulde og tigget om almisser. Zita kunne aldri motstå en tigger, og på et øyeblikks innskytelse tok hun av seg sin herres frakk og la den rundt ham. Hun sa: «Den vil holde deg varm, og du kan la meg få den tilbake når messen er over». Men da hun kom ut av kirken, var mannen borte, og dypt nedtrykt vendte hun tilbake uten frakken. Hennes arbeidsgiver ble naturligvis sint, men det som plaget Zita mest, var at hun av medlidenhet med andre hadde misbrukt hans vennlighet.

Men historien fikk en lykkelig slutt, for neste dag kom en fremmed til døren og ga den savnede frakken tilbake. Folk avgjorde siden at den fattige gamle mannen måtte ha vært en engel i forkledning, og dermed kalles den døren i kirken San Frediano i Lucca hvor han først ble sett, for Engleporten.

Zita døde i Lucca den 27. april 1278, 60 år gammel. Hun ble gravlagt på enkelt vis i San Frediano, den romanske kirken for regelbundne kanniker i gamlebyen i Luccas nordlige del, noen skritt unna de gamle bymurene. Den har en fasade som er smykket med en gyllen himmelfartsmosaikk i italiensk-bysantinsk stil. I tillegg til henne er de hellige Frediano av Lucca og Richard av Wessex gravlagt her.

Zitas grav ble åpnet i 1446, 1581 og 1652, og hennes legeme ble da funnet fullstendig intakt. Hun ligger i dag i en glasskiste, kledd i en tjenestejentes drakt, i Cappella di Santa Zita. Etter hennes død æret folket henne som hellig, og av steinene i det lille bondehuset der hun var vokst opp, bygde man et kapell på Monte Sagrati. De tallrike undre som skjedde der, førte til hennes helligkåring. En biografi på latin ble skrevet av Fatinello degli Fatinelli i 1372 i anledning åpningen av hennes helligkåringssak. Dikterne Fazio degli Uberti (Dittamonde, III, 6) og Dante (Inferno, XI, 38) kaller begge byen Lucca ganske enkelt for «Santa Zita».

Hennes kult ble tillatt av pave Leo X (1513-21) tidlig på 1500-tallet, men bare i kirken San Frediano. Hennes grav ble gjenoppdaget i San Frediano i 1580, og da ble det startet arbeid for å få hennes kult høytidelig godkjent av paven. Hun ble helligkåret den 5. september 1696 ved at hennes kult ble stadfestet av pave Innocent XII (1691-1700). Hennes navn ble tatt inn i Martyrologium Romanum i 1748 av pave Benedikt XIV (1740-58). Hennes minnedag er dødsdagen 27. april. Hun er skytshelgen for byen Lucca, og i sitt byvåpen har de et bilde av henne. I 1931 erklærte pave Pius XI (1922-39) henne som hovedskytshelgen for hushjelper og tjenere.

Hennes folkelige kult hadde allerede spredt seg til andre land i senmiddelalderen, noe som bevitnes av kapeller til hennes ære så langt unna som Palermo på Sicilia og Ely i England. Hun æres høyt, spesielt i Italia, som skytshelgen for hushjelper. Hun er avbildet i arbeidstøy med en veske og nøkler, eller brød og en rosenkrans. I England var hun kjent som Sitha og ble påkalt av husmødre og hushjelper, spesielt når de mistet nøkler eller var i fare fra elver eller når de skulle krysse broer.

Kilder: Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Bentley, Hallam, Butler, Butler (IV), Benedictines, Delaney, Bunson, Cruz (1), Rufus, Engelhart, Schauber/Schindler, Melchers, Dammer/Adam, Index99, KIR, CE, CSO, Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Bautz, Heiligenlexikon, CB, EWTN - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden - Opprettet: 2000-04-12 00:27 - - Sist oppdatert: 2005-12-26 18:11

SOURCE : http://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/zita