Rome Newsroom, Oct 20, 2020 / 08:30 am
The Basilica of St. Rita, the patron saint of impossible causes, is launching a seven-month prayer initiative for Lebanon as the country faces an unprecedented economic and political crisis.
"In prayer with St. Rita for Lebanon" will begin in the Italian town of Cascia with Mass at the tomb of St. Rita Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. local time (6 p.m. in Beirut) and will be broadcast via livestream.
"We want to bring the consolation, closeness and, above all, the hope of St. Rita into the homes of every devotee in Lebanon, reaching even those who cannot move and are experiencing difficulties," Fr. Luciano De Michieli, rector of the Basilica of St. Rita, said as he announced the initiative.
Masses according to the liturgy of Lebanon's Maronite Church will be offered once a month at the shrine until the feast of St. Rita on May 22, 2021. At the end of each Mass, a prayer of entrustment of Lebanon to St. Rita will be said before her tomb.