St Rita of Cascia and how she came into my life
Saints of all traditions belong to everyone not just to one tradition. I feel called to share my feelings towards St. Rita since she personally touched my life few months ago in Abadiania, Brasil. It was the day before I will leave the Brasil and I wasn't able to ask the most difficult dilemmas and questions, in front of John of God.
I was sitting on the Casa de Dom Ignacio verandah reading a small booklet about St. Rita and her life, channelled through medium Virginia Rebata.
In the book I came across her words that she will help anyone that need assistance in difficult situations. I closed my eyes and silently imagined myself in front of St Rita and was asking her guidance for my questions.
I was planing to visit the sacred waterfall there on the Casa grounds with my guide Stephanie Fox, and went to prepare myself in hotel. When I was back at the Casa my guide was standing with Virginia waiting for me. Then the miracle happen!
I had a small St Rita booklet with me, and asked Virginia to sign it for souvenir. She was observing me for a few seconds and all of a sudden she came to hug me. Then she started whispering in my ears the promise of St Rita. Every question that was on my mind, that I thought I won't be able to ask John of God, every dilemma I had she addressed.
She said that St Rita promised me that she will help me and much more.
Virginia or my guide couldn't possibly know my mind and what I was thinking and praying the 30min before at the verandah. So from that day on St. Rita came into my life and I can see her promise to me coming true.I can feel her help and guidance every time i call upon her.
Are you faced with a difficult problem? Does it seem insurmountable? The prayer to St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) shown below might help. After all, St. Rita, pictured at right, is known as the “Saint of the Impossible.”
Early in life, she had a strong desire to be a nun, but got married instead, following her parents’ wishes. By all accounts, her husband was Mr. Wrong, an abusive man with whom she bore two sons of similar temperament.
Apparently she had the patience of a saint because she prayed for them all and tried to be a dutiful wife and mother! After 18 years of marriage, her husband was murdered and her sons died of natural causes the following year.
After that, St. Rita finally got her wish and was admitted to the convent of Augustinian nuns at Cascia. Tradition has it that the nuns there initially refused to let St. Rita join because she was a widow. One night Saint John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholas of Tolentino opened gates that had been bolted shut and left her in the chapel of the convent.
When the nuns found St. Rita there the next morning they understood God’s designs for her and accepted her unanimously. Talk about prayer opening doors!
Many other miracles were attributed to St. Rita, both during her life and after her death. As an example, her devotion to Jesus in His Passion was such that a thorn from the crucifix in her room pierced her forehead one day while she was praying! The prayer to St. Rita also touches on that miracle:
Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, so humble, pure and patient, whose pleadings with thy Divine Spouse are irresistible, obtain for me from thy Crucified Christ my request (mention it here). Be kind to me, for the greater glory of God, and I promise to honor thee and to sing thy praises forever.
Oh glorious St. Rita, who didst miraculously participate in the sorrowful Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen
Weeping with love, St. Rita had asked to share in Our Lord’s suffering and her request was granted in this literally striking way! She bore the painful wound with typical dignity and grace, imitating our crucified Lord.
The prayer to St. Rita, like her miracles, helps remind us indeed that “all things are possible with God,” as Jesus said in Mark’s gospel (10:27). Roses are her symbol. Her feast day is May 22nd.
Blessing,
Julija
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