May 22nd - St. Rita of Cascia By: Jeslyn Joyal

St. Rita of Cascia was born in Roccaporena, Italy in the year of 1381.  After her baptism, a swarm of white bees surrounded and went in and out of her mouth. Her parents believed this to be a sign from God that she would be devoted and righteous to God. Her dream was to become a nun, but following her parent’s wishes, was married to a man at a young age.

Her husband, Paolo Mancini, was a cruel and violent man who would mistreat St. Rita. Influenced by St. Rita of Cascia, he became a better man. Unfortunately, a family argument between the Mancini family and Chiquis family led to the murder of Paolo Mancini. St. Rita forgave her husband’s murderers, but this was not the case for her two sons.

After becoming a widow and losing her two sons, St. Rita of Cascia tried to join the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene on Cascia, but was not allowed to join because of the family feud. After praying to St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino (her three patron saints), she was able to end the died between both families and, at the age of thirty six, joined the monastery.

St. Rita of Cascia was able to receive the sacraments regularly, and lead a spiritual life. At the age of 66, she prayed to Jesus, and asked to suffer like our Savior. As if Christ’s Crown of Thorns had pierced her, she received a wound on her forehead, which was painful and gave a foul odor. St. Rita of Cascia prayed for her patience according to her wound, which lasted until the day she died, on May 22, 1457, at the age of 76. Her body was discovered to be in-corrupt, and can be found today in the Saint Rita shrine at Cascia.

St. Rita of Cascia had a life full of hardships, but still retained her holiness. God heard her prayers, since she was a child and until her last hour. We can learn from the Saint of the Impossible that with God, anything is achievable, and that St. Rita of Cascia will listen to our prayers, no matter how impossible.

Prayer to St. Rita of Cascia

O glorious St. Rita, your pleadings before the divine crucifix have been known to grant favors that many would call the impossible. Lovely St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so devoted in your love for thy crucified Jesus, speak on my behalf for my petition which seems so impossible from my humbled position. ( Here mention your request ). Be propitious, O glorious St. Rita, to my petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy supplicant. Be lavish to me, as thou has been in so many wonderful cases for the greater glory of God. I promise, dear St. Rita, if my petition is granted, to glorify thee, by making known thy favor, to bless and sing thy praises forever. Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus I pray.  Amen.