Points for reflection: Rita learned to see the will of God even in the most difficult and horrible moments. He was also known to pursue other women and he had many enemies. In anger, he often mistreated Rita verbally and physically. Rita accepted her parents’ decision, resolved to see this as God’s will for her. Young Rita became a wife and mother at only twelve years of age and her husband was a man of violent temper. At an early age, she begged her parents to allow her to enter a convent but was instead arranged to be married to a cruel man named Paolo Mancini. As a young girl Rita frequently visited the convent of the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia and dreamed of one day joining their community.

Rather than being alarmed, her family believed she was marked to be virtuous and devoted to God. Her parents, Antonio and Amata Lotti, considered her birth a very special gift from God, for Rita was born to them as they were already advancing in age. The day after her baptism, Rita was surrounded by a swarm of white bees, which went in and out of her infant mouth without hurting her. Rita was born in the year 1381 in the village of Roccaporena, near Cascia, Italy. Saint Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of compassionate love for thy Crucified Jesus that thou couldst obtain from him whatsoever thou askest, on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee, expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort be propitious to our petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy suppliant be lavish to us, as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of thine own devotion, and for the consolation of those who trust in thee. O Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favours hast been called the Advocate of the hopeless and even of the Impossible. Such Rose in Rita’s hands blossoms in every season. Share in the Cross of Christ: grant us our wishes. You paved the way for us to see heaven’s glory O Santa Rita, a widowed spouse yet pure of heart.Such rose in Rita’s hands blossoms in every season Till all our days be filled with God’s wonders We sing with joy through Santa Rita’s praises To all that God wills: true Christian model! In holiness and zeal, in loving surrender You showed the way for us to live our daily lives O Santa Rita, a faithful wife and caring mother.As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

St rita of cascia novena prayer