Today is the feast of St. Rita of Cascia. (1386 - 1457) [She died on May 22nd]
St. Rita, also known as Margarita of Cascia and Rita La Abogada de Imposible is the patron saint of the impossible.
Here is her story: Saint Rita
St. Rita was born in the year 1381 in the village of Roccaporena near Cascia, Italy. Her parents, Antonio and Amata Lotti, considered her from birth a very special gift from God, for Rita was born to them as they were already advancing in age. As a young girl Rita frequently visited the convent of the Augustinian nuns of Cascia and dreamed of one day joining their community. Her parents, however, promised her in marriage, according to the custom of the day to Paolo Mancini, a good man of strong and impetuous character. Rita accepted her parents' decision, resolved to see this as God's will for her. The young couple were joined in marriage and soon twin boys were born to them. Rita found herself occupied with the typical concerns of wife, mother, and homemaker of Roccaporena, while Paolo was employed as a watchman for the town. In Cascia, as elsewhere, a great rivalry existed between two popular political factions, the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. As a minor official of the town, Paolo often found himself drawn into the conflict and the strain which this caused probably accounts for the tension which he sometimes brought into the Mancini household. Her husband was a man with a violent temper which developed into brutality. He often kicked and struck his young wife for no other reason than he might be angry for losing at gambling. By her prayer, patience, and affection, however, Rita was able to ease the stress and worry her husband experienced, but she was not able to shield him altogether from the dangers to which society exposed him.Her two sons, despite St. Rita's influence, turned to the evil ways their father taught them.
One day as Paolo was returning home from work he was ambushed and killed. The pain which this unexpected and violent death inflicted upon Rita was only compounded by the fear she felt that her two teenage sons, moved by the unwritten law of the "vendetta," would seek to avenge their father's death. Rita's only recourse was to prayer and persuasion. Her sons died at an early age (from natural causes) a short time later, but not before they repented and received the last sacraments and were thereby removed from physical and spiritual danger. Despite the great burden she could still thank God that they had died in peace, free of the poison of murder to which hatred and revenge might have otherwise drawn them.
Now alone in the world and without family responsibilities, St. Rita once more turned to thoughts to the desired vocation of her youth, that of joining the Augustinian Nuns of Saint Mary Magdalene Monastery. Some of the religious of the community, however, were relatives of the members of the political faction considered responsible for Paolo's death, and so as not to tempt the harmony of the convent. Rita's request for admission was denied. Fortunately, she was not to be easily dissuaded from following what she knew to be God's plan for her life. She implored her three patron saints, - John the Baptist, Augustine, and Nicholas of Tolentino - to assist her, and she set about the task of establishing peace between the hostile parties of Cascia with such success that her entry into the monastery was assured.
At the age of thirty-six Rita pledged to follow the ancient Rule of Saint Augustine. For the next forty years she gave herself wholeheartedly to prayer, works of charity, striving especially to preserve peace and harmony among the citizens of Cascia. With a pure love she wanted more and more to be intimately joined to the redemptive suffering of Jesus, and this desire of hers was satisfied in an extraordinary way. One day when she was about sixty years of age, she was meditating before the image of Christ crucified as she was long accustomed to doing. Suddenly, a small wound appeared on her forehead, as though a thorn from the crown that encircled Christ's head had loosed itself and penetrated her own flesh. For the next fifteen years she bore this external sign of stigmatization and union with the Lord. In spite of the pain she constantly experienced, she offered herself courageously for the physical and spiritual well being of others.
During the last four years of her life, Rita was confined to bed and was able to eat so little that she was practically sustained by the Eucharist alone. She was nevertheless, an inspiration to her sisters in religion and to all who came to visit her, by her patience and joyful disposition despite her great suffering.
One of those who visited her some few months before her death was privileged to witness first hand the extraordinary things wrought by Rita's requests. When asked whether she had any special desires, Rita asked only that a rose from the garden of her parents' home be brought to her. It was a small favor to ask, but quite an impossible one to grant in the month of January. Nevertheless, on returning home the woman discovered to her amazement, a single brightly colored blossom on the bush just as the nun had described. Picking it, she returned immediately and presented it to Rita who gave thanks to God for this sign of love. Thus the saint of the thorn became the saint of the rose, and she whose impossible requests were granted became the advocate of all whose own requests seem impossible as well. As she breathed her last, Rita's final words to the sisters around her were, "Remain in the holy love of Jesus. Remain in obedience to the holy Roman Church. Remain in peace and fraternal charity."
Her body is on display in a glass case in the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia, Italy. Her body has been seen in different positions in the glass case in which her remains are displayed and her eyes have opened and closed unaided.
St. Rita is the patron of: abuse victims; against loneliness; against sterility; bodily ills; Dalayap, Philippines; desperate causes; difficult marriages; forgotten causes; impossible causes; infertility; lost causes; parenthood; sick people; sickness; sterility; victims of physical spousal abuse; widows; wounds
You can learn more about St. Rita by reading this book, available online: Saint Rita of Cascia: Saint of the Impossible
St. Rita is a powerful intercessor. Because of the many miracles reported to have been wrought at her intercession she received in Spain the title of La Santa de los impossibiles.
I personally know people who have been greatly helped by her assistance. That is why I encourage you to ask her to pray for you.
Oration To The Saint Of The Impossible
O excellent St. Rita, worker of miracles, from thy sanctuary in Cascia, where in all thy beauty thou sleepest in peace, where thy relics exhale breaths of paradise, turn thy merciful eyes on me who suffer and weep! Thou seest my poor bleeding heart surrounded by thorns Thou seest, O dear Saint, that my eyes have no more tears to shed, so much have I wept! Weary and discouraged as I am, I feel the very prayers dying on my lips. Must I thus despair in this crisis of my life? O come, St. Rita, come to my aid and help me. Art thou not called the Saint of the Impossible, Advocate to those in despair? Then honor thy name, procuring for me from God the favor that I ask. (Here ask the favor you wish to obtain.) Everyone praises thy glories, everyone tells of the most amazing miracles performed through thee, must I alone be disappointed because thou hast not heard me? Ah no! Pray then pray for me to thy sweet Lord Jesus that He be moved to pity by my troubles and that, through thee, O good St. Rita, I may obtain what my heart so fervently desires. (Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, three times.)
Those wishing to offer a novena should repeat this prayer for nine days.
Below is an image of the incorrupt body of St. Rita:
Here's a link to
BASILICA DI SANTA RITA DA CASCIA
http://www.santaritadacascia.org/santarita/santarita-en.htm
Posted by: Mona Alona | Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 02:54 PM
I always marvel at miracles of bodily incorruptibility. Most corpses would just start decomposing.
I wish people would popularize these things to help unbelievers have faith in Christ and come to the Church.
Blessed Pope John XXIII's body is also by miracle incorupt as well.
God bless.
Posted by: John Barnabaon | Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 03:06 PM
Happy feast day St. Rita! I also know many people who have prayed this Novena and had their prayers answered. Their prayers were not only answered, they received blessings and graces beyond their requests. St. Rita is an incredible advocate for the sad or brokenhearted. Try the Novena! You will not be disappointed. All it takes is faith and trust.
Posted by: Atlanta Catholic | Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 09:29 PM
Blessed Pope John XXIII's body is also by miracle incorupt as well
Thank God beatifications are not infalible and remember that angels, including demons, have manipulation over matter, including dead matter.
Not that I wish to imply anything.
Posted by: Anon | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 01:10 AM
Anon,
You are gravely mistaken. Beatifications and canonizations do fall under the charism of papal infallibility.
Although the Second Vatican Council was flawed in some ways, the principle problem within the Church since the council has been bishops, priests, religious, and lay persons who went above and beyond what the Second Vatican Council said while insisting that their actions were in "the spirit of Vatican II".
Denying the personal holiness of Pope John XXIII by suggesting that those who testified to his sanctity were either lying or in error and/or that his incorrupt body was preserved as such by demons (a charge leveled against Our Lord by His enemies) simply because he convoked a Church council that produced results which you do not like is wholly inappropriate.
I will pray and ask St. Dymphna to intercede for you.
Not that I wish to imply anything.
Pax,
Thomistic
Posted by: Thomistic | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 04:08 AM
Thomistic,
Highly appropriate critique of "anon."
Don't you love how the anonymous ones always post the most venomous dribble.
Your close of "Not that I wish to imply anything" reminds me of that great line from Casablanca where Rick asks Captain Renault "why are you closing me down?"
Renault responds - "I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in this establishment!" just as the pit boss hands him his winnings for the evening.
LOL
Posted by: Loyolalaw98 | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Thomistic without endorsing Anon, I believe you need to correct your comment.
Beatification, in the present discipline, differs from canonization in this: that the former implies a locally restricted, not a universal, permission to venerate, which is a mere permission, and no precept; while canonization implies a universal precept.
According to Catholic Encyclopedia:
"This general agreement of theologians as to papal infallibility in canonization must not be extended to beatification, not withstanding the contrary teaching of the canonical commentary known as "Glossa" [in cap. un. de reliquiis et venerat. SS. (III, 22) in 6; Innocent., Comm. in quinque Decretalium libros, tit. de reliquiis, etc., no 4; Ostiensis in eumd. tit. no 10; Felini, cap. lii, De testibus, etc., X (II, 20); Caietani, tract. De indulgentiis adversus Lutherum ad Julium Mediceum; Augustini de Ancona, seu Triumphi, De potestate eccl., Q. xiv, a. 4). Canonists and theologians generally deny the infallible character of decrees of beatification, whether formal or equivalent, since it is always a permission, not a command; while it leads to canonization, it is not the last step. Moreover, in most cases, the cultus permitted by beatification, is restricted to a determined province, city, or religious body (Benedict XIV, op. cit., I, xlii). Some, however, have thought otherwise (Arriaga, Theol., V, disp. 7, p. 6; Amicus, Theol., IV, disp. 7, p.4, no 98; Turrianus on II-II, V, disp. 17, no 6; Del Bene, De S. Inquisit. II, dub. 254)."
Posted by: Manuel | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 04:55 PM
what a fabulous painting of the saint at the end of this post.
Posted by: Carolina_Cannonball | Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 02:32 PM
Very interesting reading. I am not familiar with alot of the Saints.
Just read about St Rita today because I received an email with a jpg/picture card on it with her picture. I always try to verify if things people email to me truly exist.
The card said make 2 wishes and send it on to 6 people and you'll receive your wishes in 36 days. Not sure about that chain mail stuff, but prayer is always good.
Along with the jpg card of St Rita, there was a jpg of a logo: FDF (the last F was backwards). What does that represent?
Posted by: Librada Kopatz | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 03:22 PM
St. Rita answered my prayers for health and protection. She truly cares for all humanity and is there to help those who approach her in the right spirit.
Praise be to St. Rita
Posted by: Mary Schep | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 02:12 PM
My son decided he was going to be married in Italy. He and his fiancee had made many trips and loved the area around Siena, and Tuscany regions. When I realized that the wedding was planned for May 2007, I was thrilled, because for many years Saint Rita has been my Patron saint and has answered many, many requests from me. We arrived in Rome the early part of May. Although I knew I would not be able to be in Cascia for her feast day, I was sure I would travel to that region before I left for the states. One afternoon in Rome, my wife and I decided to venture off to the side streets, as we were a bit tired of eating Hotel food and were looking for a good roman deli, which they call Pizzerias. As we continued our walk, I noticed a half block away a sign that said Pizzeria. I said to my wife lets go see how this is. When we arrived it looked like a small cafe, and very sparsely populated. I figured it wasnt crowded so I said lets sit. My wife quickly added, why dont we try the pizzeria two doors down, as it looked like it was busier, and all the "locals"seemed to be frequenting it. We arrived and sat outside. As we did, the proprietress, "Luigina" a small but energetic lady of about 75 years old welcomed us. As I looked at the menu, my eyes glanced up at the window of the pizzeria, it said LOTTI'S. I turned to my wife and exclaimed "Do you know whose name that is." For a moment she said nothing..I quickly exclaimed its Saint Rita's maiden name!!...At that moment, Luigina come out to take our order, In my best but poorest Italian, I said to her" LOTTI,SANTA MARGARITA'..When she heard it and immediately understood, she almost jumped into the air, and floated. she explained to me in her very best English, that saint rita was her patron saint, and that when her daughter was born some thirty years ago, the baby was very sick and not expected to live. She made continual prayers and novenas for the childs recovery. The baby eventually was free of the malady and continued in great health. Luigina was so greatful to the saint, she named her daughter RITA!! I just sat there dumbfounded..On May 21st we manged to make the long journey from Rome to the appenine mountains and visit the beloved saint in cascia. To this day, I cannot believe I made the journey (4000 miles) from New Jersey to Italy, and had the honor to visit the saint I had prayed to for so many years. Yes, she looked even more beautiful in her Cathedral and as I sat in front of her bier I was blessed to smell the fragrance of her perfume. My wife also smelled this marvelous aroma, when she was sitting outside of the church.I believe when our saints want us they will call us, as much as we want also to see them...
Posted by: bob travisano | Tuesday, July 03, 2007 at 04:37 PM
I am a student.
I am the first in a family of five.
I will like to be a (member)or a bee.
Posted by: ALICE MBONG | Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 11:41 AM
I am a student.
I am the first in the family of five.
I will like to be a (member) or a Bee.
Posted by: ALICE MBONG | Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 11:46 AM
A student.
fist in a family of five.
like to be a bee
Posted by: ALICE MBONG | Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Thank you st.rita for interceding my prayer has been answered
Posted by: sandra | Monday, August 20, 2007 at 11:00 PM
I love my patron saint.
And I am proud to be name Rita
Posted by: Rita Garcia | Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 08:40 PM
Santa Rita,
I cannot thank you enough for saving our family home. I will continue to honor you and spread word of your miraculous generosity.
Yours,
NCM
Posted by: NCM | Friday, December 14, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Dear Saint Rita,
My husband and I have had a mad 5 year marriage.We have two small boys 4 and 2. For their sake we have not divoced but have come very close. Somethingthing in our hearts brings us to make up everytime. We both have tempers but his can be alittle volient and scary. Our familys hate eahc other and we hate eachothers families for interfereing.
Please save our marriage. We love each other but satan and evil spirits and our tempers keep us apart. Please make our marriage strong. Let us love each other deeply like when we first met and let noone separate us for our childrens sake and ours. I love my husband and I want a calm safe serene home for my children. Please help us with our finances by obtaining for me a job at bank of america that i applied for. Organize our life and routines. I love you saint rita in the name of God please bless uus with this miracle. Love, Lina Notte
Posted by: Lina Notte | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I am a Lebanese girl, My grandfather's name is Cissen Abi-Karam. When my grandmother was pregnant with her fourth child (a girl) My grandfather had a dream in which a woman that appeared to be a nun told him to name his daughter 'rita' no one had ever heard of this saint or this name before or even this name (it was uncommon in Lebanon) my grandparents have never been on a plane, they did not even have a refrigerator, they were farmers at the time. My grandfather ignored to nun and named his daughter (my aunt) something else. In just a few days later he got into an accident were he broke his leg and the dream came again.. So my grandfather went that same day and changed my aunts name to Rita. A few years later after my my aunt was born, word spread about a saint that would answer miracles. Her name was St. Rita... the same saint ..
This is a true story and many more miracles were answered by this saint to my family. In a village called Beskinta in Lebanon, almost everyone knows what happened to my grandparents.
I love you St. Rita ... thank you
Posted by: ZN | Monday, February 25, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Dear St. Rita,
Thank you for your intercession for Savannah. I know that is through your novena that you prayed to Jesus and graces fell upon her. Thank you. I also lift up today in prayer and begin a new novena to you for your powerful intercession of Rachael. I take comfort in knowing that you too were a mother, and understand the worry and pains of love for your children. I beg you to please pray at the foot of Jesus' royal throne and ask for many of His graces to pour out onto Rachael. Please ask Him for
to surround her with His protection and through the power of The Holy Spirit grant her with many graces to be protected from satan and sin and danger. Thank You dear Saint. xoxoxox
Posted by: Tamara | Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 12:24 PM
thanks god,thank you santa Rita for the miricale you made now i can live
Posted by: mariam | Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 05:18 PM
My grandparents have loved and prayed to St. Rita for a very long time.
It came natural to me to ask my grandmother to pray with me to St.Rita for my marriage to become fertile and prosperous. Yesterday, I took two pregnancy test and they were positive. I told my husband it was thanks to God, St.Rita,and grandma. He smiled and said I guess I had nothing to do with it. I said that is right. We are very happy. Thank you St.Rita for providing me with a family and providing your support to our family.
With Lovingly gratitude,
Rita
Posted by: Rita | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:42 AM
St.Rita,
Thank you for making God's support so apparent, and I am sorry if I miss the signs more often than not. Now that I am pregnant give me more than necessary strength and internal peace to complete my dissertation during my pregnancy. Provide my husband with the strength and the commitment to turn his career dreams of working from home into reality, so we can provide for our child and really be their for the kid(s).
Yes,I am open to the idea of twins.
I would raise them to be peacemakers as you wished your sons to be.
Well, St. Rita thank you again and I'll do my best to make you and St.Judas proud.
Sending you much love,
Rita
Posted by: Rita | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:47 AM
St.Rita,
Thank you for making God's support so apparent, and I am sorry if I miss the signs more often than not. Now that I am pregnant give me more than necessary strength and internal peace to complete my dissertation during my pregnancy. Provide my husband with the strength and the commitment to turn his career dreams of working from home into reality, so we can provide for our child and really be their for the kid(s).
Yes,I am open to the idea of twins.
I would raise them to be peacemakers as you wished your sons to be.
Well, St. Rita thank you again and I'll do my best to make you and St.Judas proud.
Sending you much love,
Rita
Posted by: Rita | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:49 AM
St.Rita,
Thank you for making God's support so apparent, and I am sorry if I miss the signs more often than not. Now that I am pregnant give me more than necessary strength and internal peace to complete my dissertation during my pregnancy. Provide my husband with the strength and the commitment to turn his career dreams of working from home into reality, so we can provide for our child and really be their for the kid(s).
Yes,I am open to the idea of twins.
I would raise them to be peacemakers as you wished your sons to be.
Well, St. Rita thank you again and I'll do my best to make you and St.Judas proud.
Sending you much love,
Rita
Posted by: Rita | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:49 AM