SAINT RITA OF CASCIA
Patron Saint of the Impossible and of Parenthood



In the month of May, our minds turn toward mothers.  We honour the Blessed Mother Mary in a special way.  On Mother’s Day, we honour our earthly mothers.  On May 22^nd, we celebrate the memorial of one of the patron saints of parents, Saint Rita of Cascia.  

Saint Rita was born in 14^th century Italy.  She lived a very difficult life.  Married at the age of 12, Rita was abused by her husband for most of their 18 years of marriage.  When her husband was murdered, their two sons wanted to avenge their father’s death by killing the murderers.  Rita prayed fervently that her sons would not do this and commit a mortal sin.  Before they were able to seek this revenge, they died from dysentery, presumably in the state of grace.

After her sons died, Rita requested entrance into an Augustinian community of religious sisters.  However, because of the scandal involving her husband’s death, she was initially denied.  Eventually, she was allowed to become a nun only after doing her part to reconcile the feuding families who were responsible for all of the violence in their village.

When Rita was 60, she received the wound on Christ on her forehead while meditating on an image of Jesus on the Cross.  This partial stigmata remained for the rest of her earthly life and to this day on her incorrupt body.

Saint Rita is a wonderful intercessor for all mothers and fathers concerned about the spiritual welfare of their children.  If situations seem too difficult, we should remember that Saint Rita is also a patron of impossible cases.  


NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT RITA OF CASCIA

INVOCATION
Leader:             
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, 
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.  
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.

All:                               
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
 
Leader:            
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit, 
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.  
Through Christ our Lord.

All:                   
Amen.

LITANY OF SAINT RITA

The leader continues and all respond with the words in bold.
 
Lord, have mercy.                                                                                  Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.                                                                                Christ, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.                                                                                  Lord, have mercy.
 
Christ, hear us.                                                                                        Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.                                                                      Christ, graciously hear us.


God, the Father of heaven,                                                                     Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,                                                              "
God, the Holy Spirit,                                                                           
Holy Trinity, one God,                                                                            

Holy Mary, Mother of God,                                                                      Pray for us.
Holy Mary, Mother of Good Counsel,                                                                "
Holy Mary, Mother of pure love,                                                           
Holy Mary, Comforter of the afflicted,                                                   
Holy Mary, Queen of all saints,                                                               
Holy Mary, Model of life for Saint Rita,                                                


Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress,                                               Pray for us.
Saint Rita, beloved by the Lord,                                                                       "
Saint Rita, given special grace from heaven,                              
Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood,                                                      
Saint Rita, model of obedience to God’s will,                             
Saint Rita, the peacemaker,                                                                                
Saint Rita, of untiring patience,                                                                      
Saint Rita, model of Christian mothers,                                              
Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses,                                             
Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice,                                                                        
Saint Rita, generous in forgiving,                                                                 
Saint Rita, martyr in penitence,                                                              
Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty,                            
Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow,                                                                 
Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call,                           
Saint Rita, patient in suffering,                                                                          
Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance,                                    
Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue,                                         
Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ,                         
Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn,                                                                  
Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament,      
Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love,                                              
Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy,                                           
Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body,                                           
Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases,                                           
Saint Rita, persevering in prayer,                                                                  
Saint Rita, help of those in need,                                                             
 
Lamb of God, 
you take away the sins of the world,      Spare us, O Lord.
 
Lamb of God, 
you take away the sins of the world,      Graciously hear us, O Lord.
 
Lamb of God, 
you take away the sins of the world,       Have mercy on us.
 
Leader:             
Lord, you have signed your servant Rita.

All:                                 
With the marks of your love and Passion.
 
Leader:             
Let us pray.  
 
Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord,
the wisdom and strength of the Cross,
with which you were pleased to endow Saint Rita,
so that, suffering in every tribulation with Christ,
we may participate ever more deeply
in his Paschal Mystery.
 
Who lives and reigns with you 
in the unity of the Holy Spirt,
one God, for ever and ever.

All:                                 
Amen.
 
- Collect for the Memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia


PRAYER OF PETITION
Leader:                 

Glorious Saint Rita,
patroness of those in need,
your intercession with our Lord is most powerful.
Through the favours obtained by your prayers
you have been called
“Advocate of hopeless and even impossible cases.”
Saint Rita, humble and pure,
patient and compassionate lover of Christ Crucified,
we have confidence 
that everyone who has recourse to you, 
will find comfort and relief.
Listen to our petitions 
and show your power with God on our behalf.
Obtain our petitions for us
if they are for the greater honour of God, 
and for our good.
We promise, if our petitions are granted,
to make known your favour, 
and to glorify God for His gift.
Relying on your power with the merciful Saviour, 
we ask of you…       
 
(mention your requests in silence)

 

By the singular merits of your childhood,          
Obtain our request for us.

By your perfect union with the Divine Will,       
Obtain our request for us.

By your acceptance of troubles in your married life,
Obtain our request for us.

By the anguish felt at the murder of your husband,
Obtain our request for us.

By the surrender of your children, rather than have them offend God,                   
Obtain our request for us.

By your miraculous entrance into the convent,
Obtain our request for us.

By your daily penance and fasting,                          
Obtain our request for us.

By your courage and joy in bearing the mark of the Crucified Saviour, 
Obtain our request for us.

By the Divine Love which consumed your life,
Obtain our request for us.

By your devotion in receiving the Blessed Sacrament, 
Obtain our request for us.

By the happiness you felt in leaving this life for union with Christ, 
Obtain our request for us.

By the example you have given to people of every state of life, 
Obtain our request for us.

Pray for us, Saint Rita, 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

CLOSING PRAYER

 Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, 
who in your infinite love and mercy
heed the prayer of your beloved servant, Rita,
and graciously grant favours through her intercession
which are considered impossible to human skill and effort,
relying on her compassionate love
we ask you to assist us in our trials and difficulties. 
Let unbelievers know that you are the helper of the humble, 
the defender of the weak, 
and the strength of those who trust in you. 
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.