Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Saint Rita, Child Bride, Nun, Member of Glorious Impossible Quartet


May 22 marks the feast of Saint, Rita of Cascia. Born in 1381 near Cascia, Italy, she is patron saint of sickness, wounds, marital problems, abuse, mothers and she is a member of the Glorious Impossible Quartet - the four patron saints of the seemingly impossible or lost causes: St. Rita of Cascia, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Philomena, and St. Gregory Thaumaturgus

Rita of Cascia, OSA (born Margherita Ferri Lotti; 1381 – 22 May 1457), was an Italian widow and Augustinian nun. After Rita's husband died, she joined a small community of nuns, who later became Augustinians, where she was known both for practicing mortification of the flesh and for the efficacy of her prayers. Various miracles are attributed to her intercession, and she is often portrayed with a bleeding wound on her forehead, which is understood to indicate a partial stigmata.




As a young girl, Rita frequently visited the convent of the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia and dreamed of one day joining their community. Her parents, however, according to the custom of the day, had promised her in marriage and at the age of twelve she was married to Paolo Mancini a man of strong and impetuous character. Rita resolved to see her parents’ decision for her marriage as God’s will for her.

As a young mother of twin sons, Rita was widowed by the age of twenty-four. Having to endure the grief of her husband being ambushed and killed at the hands of war faring political factions as he returned home from work one day.

Disaster struck her again as she witnessed the death of both of her children to disease.
Completely alone, filled with sorrow and facing black despair, Rita allowed God to direct her to the desired vocation of her youth – that of joining the Augustinian nuns. While her initial entry was denied, in 1413, the Order gave her entry and she earned much admiration over the next forty years for her austerity, devotion to prayer and charity, striving especially to preserve peace and harmony among the warring citizens of Cascia, and alleviating the pain, anxieties and sorrow of those in need. When she developed wounds on her forehead, people quickly associated them with the wounds from Christ’s crown of thorns. She meditated frequently on Christ’s passion. Her care for the sick nuns was especially loving. She also counseled lay people who came to her monastery.

Prayers to Saint Rita 

Prayers to Saint Rita typically involve acknowledging her holiness, her compassionate love for Christ, and her powerful intercession with God. They also often include specific requests for help and a promise to glorify God.

General Prayer of Petition:
Acknowledge her holiness and powerful intercession:
Prayers often begin by acknowledging Saint Rita's holiness and her ability to obtain favors from God.

Express confidence in her help:
Prayers express confidence that Saint Rita will listen to petitions and show her power with God on behalf of the supplicant.

Mention your request:
A specific request is often mentioned in the prayer, whether it's for a miracle, healing, or relief from a difficult situation.

Promise to glorify God:
Prayers often include a promise to make known God's favor and glorify Him if the request is granted.

Specific Prayers:

Prayers for impossible cases:
Many prayers explicitly address Saint Rita as the patron saint of impossible cases, asking for her help in situations that seem hopeless.

Prayers for healing and miracles:
Some prayers request healing, miracles, or intercession for loved ones in need.

Prayers for marital problems and abuse:
Saint Rita is also a patron saint of those facing marital problems or abuse, and prayers often address these specific struggles.

Prayers for financial help:
While not directly associated with Saint Rita, prayers can also include her intercession for financial help, as she is known for her compassionate heart.



 Example Prayers:
"Glorious Saint Rita, patroness of those in need, your intercession with our Lord is most powerful..."

"O powerful St. Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need..."

"Dear St. 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..."

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