Discover who Saint Rita is: how and why to invoke her ?
Saint Rita, patron saint of desperate causes

Saint Rita, patron saint of desperate causes

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Table of contents:

1- The story of Saint Rita of Cascia

2- Childhood and married life of Saint Rita

3- The religious life of Saint Rita

4- Why pray to Saint Rita?

5- When to invoke Saint Rita?

6- Why do we pray to Saint Rita?

7- When prayer meets the news

Saint Rita is known as the patron saint of desperate causes. She is also known as the one who believed that everything was possible. If she was chosen to be prayed for in extremely difficult situations, it is because her life was marked by many trials from which she grew. Thanks to her prayer, she struggled against her husband's violence and many other trials.

Why has the story of Saint Rita made her the patron saint of desperate causes? Why pray to Saint Rita? Finally, we will make a connection between St Rita's life and an issue that has been highlighted in recent years: domestic violence.

The story of St Rita of Cascia

Childhood and married life of St Rita

The story of Saint Rita of Cascia begins in 1381, in central Italy, in Umbria. At that time, Umbria was particularly marked by the Vendetta. The little we know about Saint Rita's parents is that they were mediators between clans and families. This is not an insignificant fact in this region, which at the time was marked by the violence of revenge. Her parents were known as 'peace bearers of Jesus Christ'. Their role in society probably inspired their daughter Margaret, nicknamed Rita, when she herself faced violence in her life.

At the age of 16, when she wanted to enter religious life, her parents arranged for her to marry a man of a higher social status than them. Rita submitted and married Paul in 1399. Rita's husband was a drinker, a bon vivant but also a violent man. For 18 years Rita suffered her husband's anger, alcoholism, shouting and beatings. In the face of this behaviour, she opposed only patience and gentleness. But above all, she turns to the Lord, praying for the conversion of her alcoholic and brutal husband. She fasts and prays a lot for her husband's conversion. In the village they admiringly call her 'the woman without rancour'.

The day Rita gives birth to twins, two sons named Jacques-Antoine and Paul-Marie, her husband becomes definitively meek. He asks his wife to forgive him and regrets his inhuman treatment of her so far.

However, the violence of Paul's past caught up with him and he was murdered in 1412. A few years later, Paul's two sons, having inherited his character, plan to avenge him. Rita naturally tries to dissuade them and, when they do not listen to her, she turns to the Lord. She asks them to renounce their plans, preferring her sons to be called back to God rather than become murderers. Six months later, both of Rita's sons were killed by a plague. On their deathbeds, the twins converted and asked their mother for forgiveness.

The religious life of Saint Rita

In 1420, widowed and relieved of her family role, Rita asked to enter the Augustinian nuns' convent of the monastery of St Mary Magdalene in Cascia. The monastery was not in the habit of accepting widows, but more importantly, since her husband's family and hers were not reconciled, reprisals were feared in the monastery.

At her insistence, the request is accepted on condition that she reconciles her family with her husband's murderers. Reconciling the two clans became Rita's goal, which she achieved a few years later. The two families granted each other forgiveness before the bishop of Cascia.

Rita then entered the monastery where she remained until her death in 1457. As a religious, Rita led a life of prayer, obedience, poverty and penance.

After an oath on the passion of Saint Jacques de la Marche, she made a request to God: she wanted to participate in Christ's sufferings in her flesh. A thorn from Christ's crown, before which he was praying, was detached and attached to his forehead. This episode is at the origin of the sign of an incurable wound always represented on Saint Rita's forehead.

On her deathbed, she asks her cousin to pluck a rose from her garden. It is winter and despite this, the relative, passing in front of Rita's old garden, finds a red rose blooming in the snow.

This is why Saint Rita is often depicted with her hands full of roses, a symbol of the graces she obtains for those who ask for her intercession.

Why pray to Saint Rita?

Even during her lifetime, the life of Rita of Cascia is recognised as exceptional. Her example is a source of inspiration for all those facing difficult or even desperate situations: leading a violent man to repentance, reconciling enemy clans are considered extraordinary acts. St Rita is still fervently prayed to today.

When to invoke Saint Rita?

Saint Rita died on 22 May 1457. For this reason, Saint Rita is prayed to especially in the month of May. If you want to make a novena to Saint Rita, start on 14 May and end on 22 May.

Why do we pray to Saint Rita?

In 1710 Saint Rita was first described as the 'advocate of impossible causes'. In fact, St Rita's life was a series of trials that she managed to overcome thanks to her trust and faith:

- her husband's violence,

- the difficulties of entering the monastery,

- the need to reconcile opposing clans.

St Rita's beatification was pronounced in 1628 by Pope Urban VIII, but she was canonised only in May 1900 by Leo XIII. The difference between the time of her death and that of her canonisation did not prevent people from loving and praying to Rita of Cascia. In fact, her cult quickly spread first in Italy and then throughout the world.

The faithful love Saint Rita for her simple life, both as a woman and as a nun. Despite the difficulties she encountered, her life was full of prodigious signs of God's love. The trust she showed in him through her prayers is an encouragement to never despair and to turn to God in the face of the most difficult situations.

When prayer meets current events

St Rita was particularly confronted with domestic violence. She managed to fight it with her behaviour and her prayer. That is why prayer to Saint Rita finds a new cause today. Thus, some associations or movements working in favour of women victims of domestic violence are dedicated to Saint Rita. This is the case of the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale au Québec, Canada, which has been dedicated to Saint Rita for 40 years.

Prayer for Saint Rita


Saint Rita, you who experienced suffering and hardship in your own life, we ask you to help us face life's difficulties with courage and resignation.

Help us to follow your example of patience and perseverance in times of suffering and despair.

We pray for your intercession for those who are ill, that they may find comfort and healing.

 We pray for those who suffer from loneliness and despair, that they may find peace and comfort in your blessing.

We pray for those who experience conflict and tension in their personal and professional lives, that you will help them to find peace and reconciliation.

Saint Rita, you who have lived a life of devotion, patience, mercy and determination, we pray for your blessing on us and on all who have recourse to you.


Amen

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