Zita was born in the early 13th century in the village of Montsegradi in Tuscany; she died on April 12th in 1271. Zita was born into a poor family, but one in the which the Christian faith was emphasized. One of her uncles was a hermit, a sister became a nun, and the entire family was faithful in worship together, both at church and in their home.

At the age of 12 she entered the service of the Fatinelli family in Lucca. Although little more tha…