For Centuries St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) has been one of
the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. She is known
as the "Saint of the Impossible" because of her amazing
answers to prayer, as well as the remarkable events of her
own life.

St. Rita wanted to become a nun, but in obedience to her
aged parents, she married. Her husband caused her much
suffering, but she repaid his cruelty with prayer and kindness.
In time he was converted, becoming considerate and God fearing.
But St. Rita was to undergo another great sorrow when her
husband was murdered.

St. Rita then found that her two sons were entertaining thoughts
of avenging their father's murder; she feared they would put
their desires into effect in accord with the evil custom of
the Vendetta. With heroic love for their souls, she begged
God to take them from this life rather than allow them to
commit this great sin. Not long afterward they both died,
after preparing themselves to meet God.

Bereft of spouse and children, St. Rita devoted herself to
prayer, penance and works of charity. After a time she
applied for admittance to the Augustinian Convent in Cascia.
She was refused, but after praying to her three special patrons-
St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholas of Tolentino-
she miraculously entered the convent and was allowed to remain.
This took place around the year 1411.

In the convent, St. Rita's life was marked by great charity
and severe penances. Her prayers obtained for others
remarkable cures, deliverance from the devil and other
special favors from God.

So that she might share in the pain of His Crown of Thorns,
Our Lord gave St. Rita a thorn wound in her forehead. It
was very painful and gave off a disagreeable odor, yet she
considered it a very great grace. She prayed, "O loving Jesus,
increase my patience according as my sufferings increase."
The wound lasted the rest of her life.

St. Rita died on May 22, 1457 at the age of 76. People flocked
to the convent to pay their last respects. Immaculate miracle
took place through her intercession, and devotion to her spread
far and wide.

St. Rita's body was preserved perfectly incorrupt for several
centuries, and at times it gave off a sweet fragrance. At
the beatification ceremony, the body of the saint raised itself
up and opened its eyes.

God has heard St. Rita's prayers for others on countless
occasions, and certainly she will gladly intercede once again,
on behalf of those who pray to her now-thus continuing to
prove the truth of her great name:

"The Saint of the Impossible"

Prayer to Saint Rita Del Cascia

O Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint 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 form 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).

Obtain for us our request

By the singular merits of thy childhood,
By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,
By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,
By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion
of thy husband,
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously
offend God,
By thy miraculous entrance into the convent,
By thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings,
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from
the thorn of thy Crucified Saviour,
By the divine love which consumed thy heart,
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, on which
you alone didst exist for four years,
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials
to join thy Divine Spouse,
By the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state
of life.
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 has 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

For Papa & Fr. Anthony:

Pray, Saint Rita; pray for us today.
Pray now and always for us who Love thee;
Pray in our sorrows, pray in our need.
With thee, Saint Rita, we thy clients plead.

Papa,

Thank you for your ever vigilant prayers. Thank you for leading
me to the prayers to Saint Rita. T'Amo Papa Mio!

Ligurina-Maria

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