St. Rita was a female saint living during the 14th and 15th century in Italy. Although she was married at any early age to an abusive husband, with whom her relationship lasted for more than 18 years, she was a model wife who prayed constantly for her husband. Even after her husband died in a feud, she discouraged her sons from trying to seek revenge. Following their death, Rita entered the convent in Cascia.
Today, St. Rita is known as the patron saint for abused women, mourning wives and impossible causes. Many women turn to her during times of despair, after a death in the family or even after a divorce. She is often depicted in artwork and on medals in a religious sister’s habit, with roses or a rose crown.
Saint Rita of Cascia – 22nd May
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Rita of Cascia on May 22 each year. She is one of the most beloved saints in the Church and is widely known as the: “Saint of the Impossible” or “Patroness of Impossible Causes.”
Millions of Catholics around the world seek her intercession in situations that seem hopeless or beyond human solution.
Who Was Saint Rita?
Saint Rita of Cascia was born around 1381 in a place called Roccaporena (The exact day of her birth is unknown.). Her baptismal name was Margherita Lotti, from which the name “Rita” is derived. She was an Italian wife, mother, widow, and religious sister whose life was marked by suffering, forgiveness, prayer, and extraordinary trust in God. She is unique because she lived faithfully in four different vocations:
- Daughter
- Wife
- Mother
- Widow
- Religious sister
Her life demonstrates holiness in every stage of life.
Early Life and Marriage
From childhood, Rita desired to become a nun.
However, her parents arranged a marriage for her.
Husband
Tradition describes her husband as:
- Violent
- Quick-tempered
- Involved in local conflicts
Despite many difficulties, Rita responded with:
- Patience
- Prayer
- Kindness
- Forgiveness
Over time, her example helped bring about a change in her husband’s behavior.
Family Tragedy
After many years of marriage:
- Rita’s husband was murdered in a family feud.
- Her two sons desired revenge.
Rita prayed that they would not commit mortal sin through vengeance.
Both sons later died, reportedly of illness, before carrying out revenge.
Though deeply painful, Rita accepted these events with faith in God’s providence.
Religious Life
After becoming a widow, Rita sought admission to the:
Order of Saint Augustine
According to tradition, she was initially refused because of the violence associated with her family.
Eventually she was admitted and spent about forty years as an Augustinian nun.
Her religious life was characterized by:
- Prayer
- Penance
- Charity
- Humility
- Deep devotion to Christ Crucified
The Stigmata-Like Wound
One of the most famous events of her life occurred while she was meditating on Christ’s Passion.
Tradition states that:
- A thorn from Christ’s crown miraculously wounded her forehead.
- The wound remained for many years.
This painful mark became a sign of her union with the suffering of Jesus.
Death
- Died: May 22, 1457
- Age: About 76
- Place: Cascia
Cause of Death
She died peacefully after a long life of prayer and religious service.
Canonization
She was beatified in 1627 by Pope Urban VIII. She was canonized on 24th May, 1900 by Pope Leo XIII.
Why Is She Called the Saint of Impossible Causes?
Saint Rita experienced situations that seemed impossible:
- A troubled marriage
- The murder of her husband
- The danger of revenge by her sons
- Rejection from religious life
- Years of suffering
Through prayer and trust in God, she found peace and grace amid these hardships.
Because of this, Catholics often pray to her when facing:
- Family problems
- Difficult marriages
- Serious illness
- Financial hardship
- Seemingly hopeless situations
- Emotional suffering
The Miracle of the Rose
A cherished tradition recounts that near the end of her life:
- Rita asked for a rose from her family’s garden.
- Although it was winter, a blooming rose was found.
This event became one of the most famous symbols associated with her.
Because of this:
- Roses are often blessed on her feast day.
- Many churches distribute blessed roses in her honor.
Patronages
Saint Rita is the patron saint of:
- Impossible causes
- Difficult marriages
- Abuse victims
- Widows
- Family problems
- Hopeless situations
- Parenthood challenges
Spiritual Lessons from Saint Rita
Forgiveness: She forgave those responsible for her husband’s death.
Patience: She endured suffering without bitterness.
Prayer: She relied on God through every trial.
Trust in Divine Providence: She believed God could bring good from tragedy.
Love of Christ Crucified: She united her sufferings with Christ’s Passion.
Main Message of Saint Rita’s Feast
The Feast of Saint Rita of Cascia celebrates a woman who transformed suffering into holiness through prayer, forgiveness, and unwavering trust in God. Her life reminds Catholics that no situation is beyond God’s grace and that faith can bring hope even in the most difficult and seemingly impossible circumstances. For this reason, she remains one of the Church’s most beloved saints and a powerful intercessor for those facing life’s greatest challenges.
0522 St Rita of Cascia 2p LETTER R1R 20260210Saint Rita of Cascia 22nd May
“With God, nothing is impossible—trust and pray!”
“O Jesus, let me suffer for love of You, as You suffered for me!”
“In every cross, I see the love of my Savior!”
“O Mary, my mother, guide me to your Son through every storm!”
Novena Prayer to Saint Rita of Cascia
O Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the HOPELESS and even of the IMPOSSIBLE; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such compassionate love for the Crucified Jesus that thou couldst obtain from Him whatsoever thou askest, on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee, expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort; be propitious to our petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy suppliant; be lavish to us, as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of thine own devotion, and for the consolation of those who trust in thee. We promise, if our 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, we pray thee grant that (here mention your request).
By the singular merits of thy childhood, obtain for us our request.
By thy perfect union with the Divine Will, obtain for us our request.
By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life, obtain for us our request.
By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband, obtain for us our request.
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God, obtain for us our request.
By the severe penances and trice daily scourgings, obtain for us our request.
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of thy Crucified Savior, obtain for us our request.
By the divine love which consumed thy heart, obtain for us our request.
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, on which alone thou dost exist for four years, obtain for us our request.
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse, obtain for us our request.
By the perfect example you gavest to people of every state of life, obtain for us our request.
Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, Who in Thine infinite tenderness hast vouchsafed to regard the prayer of Thy servant, Blessed Rita, and dost grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on Thy promise, have pity on our adversity and succor us in our calamities, that the unbeliever may know Thou art the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in Thee, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Petition Prayer I
O Powerful St. Rita,
rightly called Saint of the Impossible,
I come to you with confidence in my great need.
You know well my trials,
for you yourself were many times burdened in this life.
Come to my help, speak for me, pray with me,
intercede on my behalf before the Father.
I know that God has a most generous heart
and that he is a most loving Father.
Join your prayers to mine
and obtain for me the grace I desire:
(Share your request…)
You who were so very pleasing to God on earth
and are so much more now in heaven,
I promise to use this favour, when granted,
to better my life, to proclaim God’s mercy,
and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.
Petition Prayer II
Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, so humble, pure and patient, whose pleadings with thy Divine Spouse are irresistible, obtain for me from thy Crucified Christ my request: (Share your request…).
Be kind to me, for the greater glory of God, and I promise to honour thee and to sing thy praises forever.
O Glorious St. Rita, who didst miraculously participate in the sorrowful Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs.
Amen.
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