Are you enduring something that seems impossible to overcome? Turn to Saint Rita of Cascia, an incredibly powerful intercessor!
The Catholic Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia on May 22. She is the patroness of impossible causes, difficult marriages, infertility, and parenthood.
This amazing saint led an incredibly holy life. She married a cruel and abusive man, whom she prayed for unceasingly. With him, she had two difficult children. They all eventually converted before their deaths.
After her husband and two sons died, she became an Augustinian nun. She later received the head wound of Christ.
Saint Rita died on May 22, 1457, at approximately 76 years old. Her body is incorrupt and venerated at the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia in Cascia, Italy. Pope Leo XIII canonized her on May 24, 1900.
On the 100th anniversary of her canonization, Pope John Paul II said,
"If we ask St. Rita for the secret to this extraordinary work of social and spiritual renewal, she replies: fidelity to the Love that was crucified. Rita, with Christ and like Christ, goes to the Cross always and only through love. Like her, then, let us turn our eyes and hearts to Jesus, who died on the Cross and rose for our salvation."
Saint Rita is a very powerful intercessor, especially known for her help through difficult situations.
Countless miracles are attributed to her intercession.
For example, Saint Rita's intercession cured a blind girl named Elizabeth Bergamini. Smallpox blinded her, and her doctors considered her case hopeless. Her healing was one of three miracles that resulted in Rita's canonization.
Another miracle involved the healing of Cosma (Cosimo) Pellegrini of an incurable intestinal disease.
Pellegrini endured chronic catarrhal gastroenteritis and an incurable hemorrhoidal condition. His cause was also considered hopeless; however, after experiencing a vision of Blessed Rita, his strength returned, and he was completely healed. This miracle resulted in her canonization.
Feeling hopeless? Try this powerful prayer to Saint Rita for impossible cases:
Here is the traditional prayer to Saint Rita for any intention:
O Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita,
whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible,
who for thy lavishness in granting favors
hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the impossible.
St. Rita, so humble, so pure,
so mortified,
so patient and of such compassionate love
for thy Crucified Jesus,
that thou couldst obtain from Him whatsoever thou askest,
on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee expecting,
if not always relief, at least comfort;
be propitious to our petition,
showing thy power with God on behalf of thy suppliant;
be lavish to us,
as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases,
for the greater glory of God,
for the spreading of thine own devotion,
and for the consolation of those who trust in thee.
We promise, if our petition is granted,
to glorify thee by making known thy favor,
to bless and sing thy praises forever.
Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
we pray thee grant that [here mention your request].
By the singular merits of thy childhood,
Obtain for us our request.
By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,
Obtain for us our request.
By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,
Obtain for us our request.
By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband,
Obtain for us our request.
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God,
Obtain for us our request.
By the miraculous entrance into the convent,
Obtain for us our request.
By thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings,
Obtain for us our request.
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of thy Crucified Savior,
Obtain for us our request.
By the Divine love which consumed thy heart,
Obtain for us our request.
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,
Obtain for us our request.
On which alone thou didst exist for four years,
Obtain for us our request.
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse,
Obtain for us our request.
By the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state of life.
Obtain for us our request.
Pray for us, O holy St. Rita,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God,
Who in Thine infinite tenderness
hast vouchsafed to regard the prayer of Thy servant,
Blessed Rita,
and dost grant to her supplication
that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts,
in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on Thy promise,
have pity on our adversity and succor us in our calamities,
that the unbeliever may know Thou art the recompense of the humble,
the defense of the helpless,
and the strength of those who trust in Thee,
through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.