Every May 22, the Catholic Church celebrates one of the most beloved and popular saints of all time: Saint Rita of Casia.
His given name was “Margherita”, where the nickname ‘Rita’ probably comes from, as a shortened and affectionate way of calling her. Whether or not this is the case, the name, in itself, “Rita” has come to evoke many beautiful things, beginning with the love for Christ that springs up in the hearts that strive to love, as well as the tenderness with which He responds. to that love, especially poured out on those who suffer.
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A painful experience of marriage
Rita was a simple and at the same time extraordinary woman. As a teenager she felt called to religious life, but her parents were not willing to support her and decided to marry her. She, out of obedience, agreed to marry. Unfortunately, what would come after her would be very painful for her, since her husband turned out to be a violent man and began to mistreat her.
Over time, however, thanks to her adherence to the crucified Lord, as well as her constant prayer and fortitude – always ready to return good for evil -, Rita managed to get her husband to change his life and convert. Precisely for this reason this holy woman has earned the nickname ‘the saint of the impossible’.
Saint Rita of Casia is not only the patron saint of impossible causes, but also all those who are in need.
Love to where you cannot give more
Margherita Lotti was born in 1381, in Roccaporena, very close to Cascia (province of Perugia, Italy) in an era characterized by conquests, rebellions and corruption in the circles of power. Both she and her parents were poor and did not receive further education. Rita remained illiterate for many years, however, God granted her the extraordinary ability to learn to read on her own.
Having given up the desire to be religious, she decided to lead her marriage as God intended. And she really tried, even though Paolo, her husband, was a man of bad relationships, a drinker, a womanizer and an abuser. Rita accepted her painful situation, she decided to honor the sacrament that united her to her husband and set out to win her soul for Christ.
The couple had two twins, Jacobo and Paolo, who developed a temperament very similar to that of their father.
After twenty years of marriage – years of exercising patience and trust in God – Rita’s husband was converted. She forgave her faults and together they embarked on a different path. Unfortunately this would not last long: former enemies sought out Paolo, ambushed him and murdered him.
Then, his sons, Jacobo and Paolo, swore to avenge their father’s death. There was no entreaty that could persuade them otherwise. Rita, aware of what was at stake, implored Christ to save them and have mercy on them. She even in her anguished prayer told the Lord that she would prefer that he take the lives of her children before they were damned forever in hell.
Jacobo and Paolo, unexpectedly, contracted a terrible illness and died just a few days later, of natural causes.
Embracing the Cross
Time passed and God made the desire to consecrate herself to Him as a nun arise again in the saint’s heart.
Rita would try to be accepted into the monastery of the Augustinian sisters, but they rejected her for having been married and because she carried a dark history.
Tradition has it that one night while praying, Rita heard her name called three times. She stood up and opened the door to her room: in front of her were Saint Augustine, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino and Saint John the Baptist – of whom she was very devoted – the three of them composing an extraordinary vision. Then, the three saints invited her to follow them out of her. After walking through a few streets, she felt that she was rising into the air and that suddenly a supernatural force was gently leading her towards Cascia (Casia), in the direction of the Monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene.
When he returned from the ecstasy, Rita was inside the Monastery. For that reason, after what happened, the Augustinian nuns felt compelled to receive her.
Rita made her religious profession that same year (1417). She would suffer harsh trials in the monastery, but the Lord did not abandon her. On the contrary, he invited her to join Him on the most difficult path: that of her Cross. Christ imposed her stigmata and the marks of the crown of thorns on her head. The testimonies about the wound that Rita had on her forehead are widely known, a wound that accompanied her for years and that gave off a disgusting smell.
The sweet aroma of holiness
After her serious and painful illness, Saint Rita of Cassia died in the year of our Lord 1457. The wound on her forehead disappeared and in its place remained a red spot like a ruby, which exuded a fragrance similar to that of roses. How great was Saint Rita’s love that God decided to adorn her with these details! Today, the saint’s body remains incorrupt.
Saint Rita of Casia, pray for us!
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You can find more information about Saint Rita of Casia in this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Santa_Rita_de_Cascia.
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