General presentation of Saint Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita of Cascia, born in 1381 in Roccaporena, Italy, is one of the most popular saints in Catholicism, known as the "saint of desperate causes." Married against her will to Paolo Mancini, a violent man, she had two sons with him. After her husband's murder and the death of her sons, Rita turned to religious life and joined the Augustinians in Cascia, where she spent the rest of her life in prayer, reconciliation, and penance. Rita is known for her devotion and her ability to bring peace between warring families. She died in 1457, and her feast day is celebrated on May 22.
Correspondence table of Saint Rita of Cascia
| Role | Apostle of the Gentiles, author of many letters in the New Testament |
| Patronage | Missionaries, writers |
| Feast | June 29 |
Symbols and appearances of Saint Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita is often depicted in a nun's habit with a wound on her forehead, a reference to her stigmata: she received a thorn from Christ's crown during the Passion. Another major symbol is the rose, often associated with the miracle that occurred before her death, when she asked for a rose from the family garden in the middle of winter, which was miraculously found in bloom. She is also often shown holding a crucifix or thorns, symbolizing her mystical union with Christ's sufferings.
Myths of Saint Rita of Cascia
Among the stories surrounding Saint Rita, the most well-known is that of her stigmata and the miracle of the rose. During an intense meditation on the Passion of Christ, Rita received a wound on her forehead resembling a thorn from Christ's crown. Furthermore, just before her death, she asked her cousin to bring her a rose from their family garden, despite it being winter. Against all odds, a rose was found and brought to Rita. These miracles contributed to her title as the "saint of desperate causes," invoked in moments of anguish and distress.
