Rita of Cascia
Rita of Cascia was an Italian Catholic widow and Augustinian nun known for her mortification of the flesh and the efficacy of her prayers, with various miracles attributed to her intercession. She is particularly remembered for the partial stigmata she bore and her canonization as the "Patroness of Impossible Causes."
- Feast Day
- 22 May
- Century
- 15th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born Margherita Ferri Lotti in 1381 in Roccaporena, Italy, she was affectionately called Rita.
- ›She married Paolo DI Ferdinando DI Mancino, a man of bad temper, and endured the marriage for 18 years.
- ›After her husband and two sons died, Rita joined a community of nuns who later became Augustinians.
- ›She is known for practicing mortification of the flesh and for the efficacy of her prayers, with miracles attributed to her intercession.
- ›Pope Leo XIII canonized her on may 24, 1900, bestowing the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes."
- ›She is often depicted with a bleeding wound on her forehead, understood as partial stigmata.
Margherita Ferri Lotti, Patroness of Impossible Causes, Patroness of abuse victims, Patroness of couples and marriage difficulties, Patroness of widows, Patroness of the sick
Thorn, Crown of Thorns, Crucifix, Roses, Forehead Wound, Bees
About Rita of Cascia
Rita of Cascia, born Margherita Ferri Lotti in 1381 in Roccaporena, Umbria, Italy, was an Italian Catholic widow and Augustinian nun. Despite her devout nature, her early life was marked by hardship. Her parents, Antonio Lotti and Amata Ferri, were known for their charitable nature. Rita married Paolo di Ferdinando di Mancino, a man described as exceedingly bad-tempered, and endured the marriage for 18 years, striving to live as a model wife and mother and attempting to reform her husband.
After her husband was murdered and her two sons died from dysentery (which some believe was a divine intervention to prevent them from seeking revenge), Rita desired to enter a convent. Initially turned away from the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene in Cascia due to the scandal surrounding her husband's death and her status as a widow, she persisted. She was given the condition of reconciling her family with her husband's murderers, a task she accomplished, reportedly with the aid of her patron saints and a plague that afflicted one of the feuding parties. At approximately 36 years old, she was finally allowed to enter the monastery.
During her 40 years of monastic life, Rita lived by the Augustinian Rule, dedicating herself to prayer, penance, and fasting, while also serving the poor and sick. She is remembered for her mortification of the flesh and the efficacy of her prayers, with various miracles attributed to her intercession. A significant spiritual event in her life was the appearance of a wound on her forehead, understood as a partial stigmata, which she bore until her death from tuberculosis on May 22, 1457.
Rita was beatified by Pope Urban VIII in 1626 and canonized by Pope Leo XIII on May 24, 1900. Her feast day is celebrated on May 22. At her canonization, she was bestowed the title of 'Patroness of Impossible Causes.' She is also widely venerated as the patron saint of abuse victims, couples and marriage difficulties, widows, and the sick. Her incorrupt body is preserved and venerated in the Basilica of Santa Rita of Cascia, making it a significant pilgrimage site. Iconographically, she is often depicted with a thorn or crown of thorns, a crucifix, roses, and the characteristic forehead wound.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rita of Cascia born and when did she die?
Rita of Cascia was born in 1381 and died on May 22, 1457. Some sources suggest she may have been born in 1371.
What is Rita of Cascia known for?
She is known for her mortification of the flesh, the efficacy of her prayers, and the miracles attributed to her intercession. She is particularly revered as the "Patroness of Impossible Causes."
What are the main symbols associated with Saint Rita?
Common symbols include a thorn or crown of thorns, a crucifix, roses, and a bleeding wound on her forehead, representing partial stigmata. Bees are also associated with her from a story during her baptism.
Where are Rita of Cascia's remains located?
Her incorrupt bodily remains lie in the Basilica of Santa Rita of Cascia in Umbria, Italy, which is a major pilgrimage site.
What title was bestowed upon Rita of Cascia at her canonization?
At her canonization ceremony on May 24, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII, she was bestowed the title of "Patroness of Impossible Causes."
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