Rita of Cascia, Saint
Rita of Cascia, Saint
Holy widow. Born in 1386 in Rocca Porena, Italy; died in 1456 at the convent of Cascia. She was a model wife and mother for 18 years. After the death of her husband and sons, she became a nun at the Augustinian convent at Cascia, and was noted for her mortification, and mystical gifts. She is specially honored in Spain, where she is called the “Saint of the Impossible,” owing to the wonderful favors obtained through her intercession. Represented holding roses and figs, sometimes with a wound in her forehead. Canonized in 1900. Feast, 22 May.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Rita of Cascia, Saint
Born at Rocca Porena in the Diocese of Spoleto, 1386; died at the Augustinian convent of Cascia, 1456. Feast, 22 May. Represented as holding roses, or roses and figs, and sometimes with a wound in her forehead.
According to the “Life” (Acta SS., May, V, 224) written at the time of her beatification by the Augustinian, Jacob Carelicci, from two older biographies, she was the daughter of parents advanced in years and distinguished for charity which merited them the surname of “Peacemakers of Jesus Christ”. Rita’s great desire was to become a nun, but, in obedience to the will of her parents, she, at the age of twelve, married a man extremely cruel and ill-tempered. For eighteen years she was a model wife and mother. When her husband was murdered she tried in vain to dissuade her twin sons from attempting to take revenge; she appealed to Heaven to prevent such a crime on their part, and they were taken away by death, reconciled to God. She applied for admission to the Augustinian convent at Cascia, but, being a widow, was refused. By continued entreaties, and, as is related, by Divine intervention, she gained admission, received the habit of the order and in due time her profession. As a religious she was an example for all, excelled in mortifications, and was widely known for the efficacy of her prayers.
Urban VIII, in 1637, permitted her Mass and Office. On account of the many miracles reported to have been wrought at her intercession she received in Spain the title of La Santa de los impossibiles. She was solemnly canonized 24 May, 1900.
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FRANCIS MERSHMAN Transcribed by Rita Soffing In memory of Jennie Russello
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIIICopyright © 1912 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, February 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, D.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York