Saint of the Day for 22 May: St. Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita of Cascia: Life, Miracles and Devotion to the Saint of Impossible Cases
Name
St. Rita of Cascia
Title
Widowed and religious
Baptismal name
Margherita Lotti
Birth
1381, Roccaporena
Death
May 22, 1457, Cascia
Recurrence
22 May
Martyrology
2004 edition
Beatification
October 19, 1626, Rome , Pope Urban VIII
Canonization
May 24, 1900, Rome , Pope Leo XIII
Prayer
Under the weight and amid the anguish of sorrow, to You whom all call the saint of the impossible, I turn in confidence that soon I shall have succor. Deliver, I beseech You, my poor heart, from the anxieties that on every side oppress it, and restore calm to this groaning spirit, ever full of afflictions. And since it succeeds in vain every means to procure me relief, totally I trust in You who were chosen by God to be the advocate of the most desperate cases. If I am an obstacle to the fulfillment of my desires, my sins obtain from God repentance and forgiveness. Let me not, no, longer shed tears of bitterness, reward my firm hope, and I will make known everywhere your great mercies toward afflicted souls. O admirable Bride of the Crucified, intercede now, always for my needs.
Patron of
Cascia, Borgocarbonara
Protector
desperate and seemingly impossible cases, of women unhappily married, silk-screened
Relics place
Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia
Official website
www.santaritadacascia.org
Roman Martyrology
In Cascia, Umbria, St. Rita Dowager, a nun of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, who, after the wedding of the century, loved only the eternal bridegroom Christ.
The Saint and Mission
St. Rita of Cascia dedicated her life to a mission of peace, reconciliation and deep faith. Born in a small village in Umbria, she faced many personal difficulties, including a difficult marriage and the tragic loss of her husband and children. Despite these trials, Rita found in her faith an inexhaustible source of strength and consolation. After the death of her family, Rita entered the Augustinian monastery in Cascia, where she lived a life of prayer, penance and service. Her mission manifested itself through small acts of kindness and large gestures of forgiveness, always aiming to promote peace and reconciliation among people. Her reputation for holiness grew thanks to the many miracles attributed to her intercession, making her a figure of hope for those facing desperate situations. St. Rita is remembered as the saint of impossible cases, a living testimony to how faith and perseverance can transform the most difficult situations. Her life is an example of how dedication to God and commitment to the mission of love and forgiveness can bring light and hope in the midst of darkness.
The Saint and Mercy
St. Rita of Cascia is an emblem of mercy lived through life’s difficulties. Born into a simple family, she faced a tumultuous marriage and the tragic loss of her husband and children. Despite these challenges, Rita chose the path of forgiveness and compassion, demonstrating extraordinary mercy. Her decision to enter the Augustinian monastery in Cascia after the death of her family was a response to the divine call to live a life dedicated to prayer and service to others. In the monastery, Rita continued to express her mercy through acts of kindness, listening and comforting her fellow sisters and anyone who sought her help. Her ability to forgive, even in situations of great injustice and pain, inspired many. The numerous miracles attributed to her intercession, both during her life and after her death, are tangible testimonies to her deep connection with divine mercy. St. Rita reminds us that mercy is not just an act, but a way of life that requires courage, faith and a continuous openness to forgiveness. Her life teaches us that through mercy we can find the strength to overcome difficulties and bring hope and healing to others.
Hagiography
Rita was born in Rocca Porena, a small village near Cascia in Umbria, on the year 1381. Under the watchful care of her parents, the child grew up judicious and pious, like a hothouse flower, with a particular tendency toward solitude and prayer…