St. Zita

At an early age, her devotion and holiness especially towards the poor and destitute, was well known and highly praised. She was only a young lass of 12, when she went off to work as maid for the Fatinelly Family whose abode was close to the church of St. Frediano. Zita would secretly distribute her master’s goods among the poor. Her master had ample supplies of legumes: beans, peas; wheat flour etc. and Zita, now and again felt obliged to help alleviate the misery and suffering writhing all around her. It is said that Our Lady herself accompanied S. Zita on a long and tiring journey. On their arrival, the heavy gates of Lucca drew open of their own accord: Another story tells of how a loaf of bread, tucked away in her apron, turns into flowers when she is caught trying to slip away from her master’s house.