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SAINT RITA OF CASCIA
Augustinian Nun
Saint of the Impossible
1381-1456
Rita was born in the year 1381 at Roccaporena near Cascia, Italy. When quite young she felt the call to enter religious life, but at the age of fourteen she was promised in marriage by her parents to a young man of good will but rather restless by nature. Through her own goodness Rita was able to smooth over the rougher side of her husband’s character and they lived in harmony for about eighteen years. He was then murdered. Rita not only forgave his killers, but prayed to God that she would prefer the death of her sons rather than see them revenge the crime. As it happened, both died shortly after their father. Now totally alone, but filled with love, Rita thought of fulfilling the longings of her youth by seeking admission into religious life. Having overcome formidable difficulties, she was received by the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia. Here she lived for her remaining forty years of life. Throughout the final fifteen years she bore the mark of a thorn of Christ’s passion. Rita died on 22 May 1456 which is observed as her feast day. She was noteworthy in that she experienced all the possible states of life, and overcame the difficulties of each with a generous love and a profound spirit of penance, while always being a peacemaker and a healer of divisions. Her incorrupt body is preserved in Cascia in the shrine which bears her name. PRAYER FOR FAMILIES
O God of mercy and peace, you gave to Saint Rita the grace to love even those who live by hatred and revenge. As you so graciously blessed her, I ask you to bless our family. Through the intercession of Saint Rita, model of patience and fortitude, bless and protect us from all selfish ways. Make us grow strong in the spirit of charity and forgiveness, and like your servant Rita, may we be faithful peacemakers in our family, in our neighborhood, and in our world. Amen. DAILY PRAYER TO SAINT RITA
Dear Saint Rita, during your entire life on earth you found your happiness by following the will of our heavenly Father. Help me to be as trusting of God in all his designs for me. Help me this day to give myself to him as you did, without limit, without fear, without counting the cost. Help me to be generous in serving the needs of others, patient in all difficulties, forgiving toward all who injure me. Help me to learn more deeply the great mystery of the cross of Jesus, so that by embracing it as you did, I may come to experience its power to heal and to save. Amen. PRAYER TO SAINT RITA IN SPECIAL NEED
O powerful Saint 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 (here mention your request). You who were so very pleasing to God on earth and are so much so now in heaven, I promise to use this favor, when granted, to better my life, to proclaim God’s mercy, and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.
Logged
"I receive Thee, redeeming Prince of my soul. Out of love for Thee have I studied, watched through many nights, and exerted myself: Thee did I preach and teach. I have never said aught against Thee. Nor do I persist stubbornly in my views. If I have ever expressed myself erroneously on this Sacrament, I submit to the judgement of the Holy Roman Church, in obedience of which I now part from this world." Saint Thomas Aquinas the greatest Doctor of the Church
Topic: Saint Rita (Read 313 times)