Saint Rita of Cascia

Biography

Saint Rita of Cascia, also known as Margarita of Cascia and the "Saint of the Impossible," was born in 1386 in Roccaparena, Umbria, Italy. She was the daughter of Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were known as the Peacemakers of Jesus. Rita's parents had her late in life and from her early youth, she showed a strong interest in religious life, frequently visiting the Augustinian nuns at Cascia.

However, at the age of twelve, Rita's parents arranged her marriage to Paolo Mancini, a town watchman known for his ill temper and abusive nature. Despite her disappointment, Rita obediently married him when she turned 18 and became a mother to twin sons.

Rita endured Paolo's abuses for eighteen years until he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Her sons were consumed by a desire for revenge against their father's killers, but through Rita's prayers and interventions, they forgave the offenders. Unfortunately, both of her sons died shortly after, leaving Rita devastated and feeling a renewed call to religious life.

When Rita sought admission to the Augustinian monastery of Cascia, where she had previously visited, she faced opposition. Some of the sisters at the monastery were relatives of her husband's murderers, and they feared her presence would cause dissension. Undeterred, Rita turned to the intercession of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Augustine of Hippo, and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. Through her efforts and prayers, she managed to bring the warring factions together, thereby restoring peace in the region. Finally, at the age of 36, Rita was admitted to the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalen.

For the next forty years, Rita lived in the convent, devoting her time to prayer, acts of charity, and working for peace in the region. She developed a deep devotion to the Passion of Christ and, in response to a prayer to suffer as Christ did, received a chronic head wound resembling a crown of thorns. This wound bled for fifteen years.

In the last four years of her life, Rita was confined to her bed, eating little more than the Eucharist. Despite her physical limitations, she continued teaching and directing the younger sisters of the convent. It was during this time that a visitor from her hometown came to see her. When asked if she desired anything, Rita's only request was a rose from her family's estate.

Knowing it was January and highly unlikely to find a blooming rose, the visitor went to the estate. To their astonishment, a single rose had somehow blossomed on an otherwise bare bush. This miracle was attributed to Rita's intercession.

Saint Rita of Cascia is widely recognized as the patron saint of abuse victims, against infertility, against loneliness, against sickness, against wounds, bodily ills, desperate causes, difficult marriages, forgotten causes, impossible causes, lost causes, parenthood, sick people, sterile people, victims of physical spouse abuse, widows, and wounded people. In Brazil, she is honored in numerous cities, such as C√°ssia, Cataguases, and Presidente Oleg√°rio, among others. She is also revered in Cascia, Italy, as well as in Dalayap and Igbaras in the Philippines.

Beatified on October 19, 1626, by Pope Urban VIII, Saint Rita of Cascia was canonized on May 24, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII. Several books and devotional resources, such as "Devotions To Saint Rita," "The Precious Pearl: The Story of Saint Rita of Cascia," and "Saint Rita: Saint of the Impossible: Prayers and Devotions to Saint," have been published to honor and spread devotion to her.

Saint Rita is often depicted as a nun holding a crown of thorns, roses, and figs, or with a distinctive wound on her forehead. Her life story resonates with people who face desperate and seemingly impossible situations, as she herself experienced various stages of life, including wife, mother, widow, and nun. Throughout her trials, Saint Rita never lost her faith in God nor her desire to be united with Him.