Her maternal uncle, Graziano, was a hermit who dwelt on a neighbouring mountain where he had built a church and a shelter for travellers.

[2] Signora Fatinelli allowed Zita to attend school for a year and then put her to be trained under an older maid.

The mistress of the house placed Zita in charge of the household almsgiving, and allowed her to visit the sick poor in their own homes and tend to their needs.

[1] She always rose hours before the rest of the family and took care to hear Mass every morning before she began work.

On one morning, Zita left her chore of baking bread either to tend to someone in need (or was deep in prayer in her room).

She let a copper jug down into the well, and in the act of holding it out to him, made the sign of the cross over the water, praying that this drink might be blessed to the poor wayfarer.

[6] Soon after Zita's death a popular cult grew up around her, centering on the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca.

[2]Each year on April 27, the people of Lucca bake bread and bring flowers to San Frediano in celebration of her feast day.

In England she was known as Sitha, and was popularly invoked by maidservants and housewives, particularly in event of having lost keys, or when crossing rivers or bridges.

[9] In 2022, Zita was officially added to the Episcopal Church liturgical calendar with a feast day on 27 April.

[10] Zita is the patron saint of domestic workers, housekeepers, waitresses, and household chores.