St. Rita is a truly remarkable figure in the history of the church and the history of the saints. She was born in Umbria in 1381. From an early age she wanted to become a nun, a religious dedicated entirely to God. But her parents had other plans for her. They wanted her to marry, and so she did; she obeyed her parents’ insistence and married at a young age. But her husband turned out to be cruel and harsh and the marriage was very difficult, Rita’s only consolation during these years was God; she united herself often, in prayer, to Christ’s sorrowful passion.
After 18 years of a difficult, abusive marriage, her husband, got himself killed in a brawl. When her two sons vowed to avenge their father's murder, she feared for their souls. She tried to persuade them to let go of their anger, but to no avail, they began to plot a murder.
So she prayed, and she petitioned God to prevent her sons from sinning and losing their souls, even if it meant that they lost their earthly life. And it so happened that the sons developed fatal cases of dysentery; however, before they died, they were reconciled to God, repentant of their hatred.
Free from earthly ties, St. Rita entered the Augustinian nuns in the nearby town of Cascia. She became renowned for her austerity, devotion, prayer, and charity; and for her patience in long-standing illness, she received visions from heaven and the stigmata—a wound resembling the crown of thorns on her forehead, which she bore until her death, which occurred on May 22, 1457.
“Those who remain in me will bear much fruit”. St. Rita remained faithful when the world told her to be unfaithful. And because of her faithfulness, because she remained in Christ, she won the grace of repentance for her sons, she progressed in holiness, which blossomed into deep mystical union with Christ.
Jesus too says, the prayers of those who remain in him will be heard and granted. St. Rita’s prayers were likely so effective throughout her life because of her holiness and perseverance. She has been invoked as one of the patron saints of impossible causes for many centuries because her prayerful intercession in heaven continues to be greatly effective.
May we take her example of faithful long-suffering to heart, may we persevere in our own prayers for the conversion of fallen away family, friends, and neighbors, in our own life, and benefit, too, from Rita’s heavenly intercession, especially in those most impossible of cases, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That Christians may grow in grace by uniting their sufferings to the Sufferings of Christ and know God’s presence with them in their sufferings.
For all those in difficult or abusive marriages, that the Lord will protect victims of abuse and bring healing and reconciliation where it is possible.
That all young people may come to value discipleship of Jesus Christ above all earthly pursuits, be preserved from sin, and grow in grace and holiness.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, and for a strengthening of all vocations of service.
For all those impossible cases which only the grace of God can remedy.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for all of the pour souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
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