Novena to Saint Rita of Cascia
St Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) — faithful wife, patient widow, Augustinian religious, stigmatised with the thorn of Christ’s Crown — is invoked as advocate of impossible causes. This novena prepares for her feast on May 22.
Offering Prayer (every day)
Glorious St Rita, advocate of impossible causes, we offer you this novena in honour of your heroic virtues and in humble supplication for the grace we entrust to your intercession. You who so many times obtained what no one dared hope for, hear us also. Amen.
The Nine Days
Day 1 — Long-desired daughter
Antonio and Amata Lotti, an elderly couple of Roccaporena, in Umbria, prayed long for a child. Rita was born as the answer to that prayer — a sign that the Lord hears the cry of his servants.
St Rita, remember the childless couples who trust in the Lord; remember those who have long awaited an answer. Grant us the patience of waiting. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 2 — Faithful wife
Against her will, Rita was married to Paolo Mancini, a man of violent temper. For eighteen years, she bore his offences with patience and prayer. Little by little, she won her husband over to the faith.
Faithful wife, intercede for marriages in crisis; obtain the grace of reconciliation where there is violence; sustain wives (and husbands) who bear the cross of a difficult spouse. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 3 — Wounded mother
Paolo Mancini was murdered in a family vendetta. Rita’s two sons swore to avenge their father’s death. Rita prayed that God would take them to himself before they should commit the crime — and both died at peace with God.
Wounded mother, remember the parents who have lost children to violence; console those who feel guilty for their children’s paths; reconcile families destroyed by hatred. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 4 — Consecrated widow
Alone in the world, Rita asked entrance into the Augustinian convent of St Mary Magdalene in Cascia. She was refused three times — there was no precedent for widows. Through the intercession of three saints (Augustine, John the Baptist, Nicholas of Tolentino), she was finally admitted.
Augustinian widow, bless widows consecrated to prayer and service; open doors where human rules close them; grant us perseverance in what seems impossible. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 5 — The obedience of the vine
To test her obedience, the abbess ordered Rita to water a dry piece of wood in the garden. For years on end, Rita did so. The wood sprouted and became a vine that still grows in the Cascia convent today.
Saint of obedience, teach us to do the small good asked of us, even when it seems absurd; transform our little sacrifices into fruit. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 6 — The thorn of the Crown
Before a crucifix, Rita asked the Lord to share in some way in his Passion. A thorn from Christ’s Crown detached from the image and pierced her forehead, opening a wound that accompanied her until her death — fifteen years later.
Stigmatised one of Jesus, help us accept with patience the crosses the Lord sends us; transform our pains into thanksgiving. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 7 — Advocate of impossible causes
So many were the extraordinary favours obtained through her intercession that Rita was nicknamed advocate of desperate and impossible causes. Where human reason is silent, her faith still speaks.
Advocate of impossible causes, carry to the Lord this cause of mine (state the intention). If it be God’s will, obtain it; if not, give me a heart to accept what is given me. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 8 — The winter rose
In her last illness, in winter, Rita asked for a rose from her childhood garden. It was winter; nothing was blooming. But the rose was found — as a sign that the impossible, for God, is always possible.
Saint of the winter rose, make bloom where all is barren; renew faith where there are only ashes; bring joy where there are only tears. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Day 9 — Canonisation and universal devotion
Rita was beatified in 1626 and canonised by Leo XIII in 1900 — three centuries after her death. Today her shrine in Cascia receives millions of faithful every year. The roses of St Rita are blessed on her feast day.
St Rita, receive the trust I place in you; crown this novena with the grace I entrust to your intercession; lead me to Christ, your Saviour and mine. Amen.
Our Father · Hail Mary · Glory Be.
Final Prayer (every day)
O God, who gave St Rita the privilege of loving her enemies and of bearing on her heart and brow the marks of your love and your Passion, grant us, through her intercession and merits, to love our neighbours perfectly and to meditate continually on the sufferings of your Passion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.