Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

Margherita Lotti was born in 1381 in the city of Roccaporena, a small hamlet near Cascia, Umbria, Italy. She was affectionately called Rita, the short form of her baptismal name. She was the daughter of Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were quite advanced in years. Her parents were known to be noble and charitable and earned the name Conciliatori di Cristo or Peacemakers of Christ.

Rita brought much joy to her parents. She was a cheerful, amiable, pious and devout child who spent much of her time in prayer. At the age of twelve, she desired to consecrate herself to God in the religious state.

Married with Twins

Pious though her parents were, they refused her pleas. Instead, they gave her away in marriage to Paolo Mancini, a town watchman known for his ill temper and abusive immoral nature. Despite her disappointment, Rita obediently married him when she turned 12. Soon, Rita became a mother to twin sons, Giangiacomo (Giovanni) Antonio and Paulo Maria. Although Rita had brought them up in the Christian, they inherited their father’s temperament.

Widow

During their marriage, Rita was known for as model wife with Christian values, who made efforts to convert husband from his abusive behavior. Rita endured Paolo’s abuses for eighteen years until he was ambushed and stabbed to death in a vendetta. Rita gave a public pardon at Paolo’s funeral to her husband’s murderers. However, her sons were consumed by a desire for revenge against their father’s killers.

In an agony of sorrow, Rita prayed that they might die rather than commit murder. The Lord heard Rita’s heroic plea. Before her sons had carried out their purpose, they contracted a disease which proved fatal, but not before being reconciled to their mother and to their God. Rita was devastated by the loss of husband and her sons.

Augustinian Nun

Rita’s former desire to consecrate herself to God in the religious life returned. On three separate occasions, she asked to be admitted to the Augustinian monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene in Cascia, where she had previously visited. However, her request was refused each time, since the convent forbade the reception of any but virgins plus her family was involved in . Undeterred, Rita turned to the intercession of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Augustine of Hippo, and Saint Nicholas of Tolentino.

Legend has it that one night, as Rita was praying, she heard someone call her name and a knock on the door. Miraculously, she was instantly transported to the Augustinian monastery. Astonished at the miracle, the Nuns received Rita, and accepted her as one of their own, relaxing the rules in her favor. So, in 1413, Rita received the habit.

Passion of Christ Lived Out

Rita lived a very austere life and performed many severe penances. After hearing a homily on the Passion of Christ by Saint James della Marca on the Crown of Thorns, she returned to her cell. Kneeling before her crucifix, Rita prayed: “Let me, my Jesus share in Thy suffering, at least of one of Thy thorns.”

Her prayer was again answered. Suddenly, one of the thorns detached itself from Christ’s crown of thorns and fastened itself on her forehead so deeply that she could not remove it. The wound became worse, and gangrene set in. Because of the foul odor emanating from the wound, she was denied the companionship of the other Sisters for fifteen years.

Her Death

In her final years, she endured long illness and suffering but remained steadfast in her devotion. As Rita was dying of tuberculosis, she requested a relative to bring her a rose from her old home at Roccaporena. Although it was not the season for roses, the relative went and found a rose in full bloom. For this reason roses are blessed in the Saint’s honor. Rita died May 22, 1456 in Cascia, Umbria, Italy.

After St. Rita’s death, her face became beautifully radiant, while the odor from her wound was as fragrant as that of the roses she loved so much. The sweet odor spread through the convent and into the church, where it has continued ever since. For this reason, roses and figs are often associated with her iconography.

Years after her death, her body has found incorrupt and is enshrined in a glass coffin at the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia. Her legacy of forgiveness, faith, and perseverance continues to inspire millions to this day.

Born:                  1381 in Roccaporena, Umbria, Italy

Died:                  May 22, 1457 in Cascia, Umbria, Italy

Beatified:          October 19, 1626 by Pope Urban VIII

Canonized:       May 24, 1900 by Pope Leo XIII

Feast Day:        May 22

Patron Saint:    Abuse Victims; Bodily Ills; Cascia, Italy; Difficult Marriages; Impossible Causes; Sick People; Spoleto, Italy; Victims of Physical Spouse Abuse; Widows

Source:

• • St. Rita of Cascia – Patron Saint of Impossible Causes – All Saint Stories
  • St. Rita of Cascia – Catholic Fire
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saints of the Day – Rita (Margarita) of Cascia, Widow by Katherine I Rabenstein 
  • Saint Rita of Cascia – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Rita of Cascia – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Saint of the Week: St. Rita of Cascia – YouTube (The True Enlightenment!)