St. Rita

It’s easy to take things for granted when we see them every week. Let’s take the next couple of weeks to explore the Saints of St. Mary’s Basilica found in our stained glass windows. Together let’s rediscover our saintly companions on our journey of faith. Today we visit St. Rita.

Who is St. Rita?
St. Rita of Cascia was a wife, mother, widow, and member of a religious community. She endured many hardships including an abusive husband. Her holiness however, was reflected in each phase of her life. Visit Franciscan Media, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars (OFM), for a short audio and written reflection on the history St. Rita.

Saints and their Attributes
Artists have developed standard ways of representing saints, allowing their images to be ‘read’ to reveal their identities. Artists often show saints with particular symbols, known as attributes. These attributes are reminders of how a saint was martyred, while others recall important actions or events from their life. Through attributes we are able to identify the saints and tell their stories.

What are St. Rita’s attributes?
Images of St. Rita such as the one pictured in our stained glass window can be found in many Italian and older American churches. They are most often exactly as shown here, with the saint in her Augustinian habit, contemplating a crucifix in her hands. A gash or wound will be apparent above her left eye.

Augustinian Habit:
After Rita’s husband was murdered in a brawl, she joined an Augustinian community of religious sisters, where she was known both for meditating on the Passion of Christ and for the efficacy of her prayers. 

Crucifix in Her Hand:
The crucifix, is inspired by a passage in her vita regarding her nightly meditations on the Passion of Christ.

A Gash or Wound Above Her Left Eye:
During a meditations on the Passion of Christ, a thorn from Christ’s crown lodged itself in her forehead, causing a wound that never healed. A gash or wound will be apparent above her left eye.

Patron Saint of:
Difficult Marriages
Impossible Causes
Infertility
Parenthood
Abuse Cases

Feast Day:
May 22

Prayer to St. Rita:
O powerful St. Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need. You know well my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my help, speak for me, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father. I know that God has a most generous heart and that he is a most loving Father. Join your prayers to mine and obtain for me the grace I desire (here mention your request). You who were so very pleasing to God on earth and are so much so now in heaven, I promise to use this favor, when granted, to better my life, to proclaim God’s mercy, and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.

Docent Tours

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To schedule a group docent tour to explore the history, architecture, art, sacred symbols and mission of St. Mary’s Basilica please contact us.