“..a disciple of the Crucified One and an "expert in suffering"; she learned to understand the sorrows of the human heart.” – Pope John Paul II

Born in Roccaparena, Umbria 1386; died in Cascia, May 22, 1456

Known in Spain as La Santa de los impossibiles – ‘the saint of the impossible’ – the great popularity of St. Rita all over the world is due to her inestimable efficacy at interceding for others before God. The miracles wrought through the intercession of St. Rita since her death in 1456 are innumerable.

She was born in 1386 to pious and holy parents famed for their works of charity and was married at the age of twelve to a violent and ill-tempered husband. He was murdered after 18 years and she forgave his murderers and prayed that her twin sons, who had sworn to avenge their father’s death may also forgive.  She was granted this grace, and her sons, who died young, died reconciled to God.

She heard the call to become a nun in the Augustinian convent at Cascia, but was refused entry at first. She asked the intercession of Sts. Augustine, Mary Magadalene and John the Baptist and was finally allowed to enter the convent where she lived the last 40 years of her life in prayer, mortification and service to the people of Cascia.

For the last 15 years of her life she received a stigmata-like thorn wound in answer to her prayers to be more profoundly conformed to the passion of the Lord Jesus. Rita was bedridden for the last four years of her life, eating almost nothing except for the Eucharist.  She died of Tuberculosis at the age of 70.

She is invoked by people in all situations and stations of life, since she had embraced suffering with charity and wrongs with forgiveness in the many trials she experienced in her life - as a wife, widow, a mother surviving the death of her children, and a nun.

On the hundredth anniversary of her canonization in 2000, Pope John Paul II noted her remarkable qualities as a Christian woman: “Rita well interpreted the "feminine genius" by living it intensely in both physical and spiritual motherhood.”

St. Rita was canonized in 1900 by St. Leo XIII.  She is the patron saint of impossible causes, sterility, abuse victims, loneliness, marriage difficulties, parenthood, widows, the sick, bodily ills and wounds.

Prayer to St. Rita

Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Spouse are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you: {mention your petition}. Be kind ot me for the greater glory of God, and I shall honor you and sing your praises forever. Glorious Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen.

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