Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita endured tremendous suffering in her life with extraordinary patience. Forced into marriage against her wishes, she endured an abusive husband for eighteen years. Yet she never became bitter or resentful, offering all her sufferings to Christ. Her patience transformed her suffering into sanctity.

Prayer

St. Rita, you suffered so much yet remained patient and loving. Teach me to bear my own crosses with the same grace. When suffering comes into my life, help me to unite it with Christ's passion. May I never waste my suffering in complaint and self-pity, but offer it to God as you did. Give me patience to endure whatever God permits in my life. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita's husband was violent and unfaithful. She lived in fear and pain, yet responded with prayer and gentleness. Her example does not mean we should remain in dangerous situations, but that God can give grace to endure the most difficult circumstances and even transform the hardest hearts through prayer.

Prayer

St. Rita, you understand the pain of those who suffer abuse. Intercede for all victims of domestic violence and abuse. Give them courage to seek safety and help. Comfort those who are trapped in abusive situations. Convert the hearts of abusers. Heal the wounds of those who have escaped. May all who suffer find refuge in God's love and protection. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

Through Rita's constant prayers and patient love, her violent husband eventually converted. Before his death from murder wounds, he repented and received the sacraments. This miraculous conversion shows that no sinner is beyond God's mercy, and that the prayers of the faithful can obtain the grace of conversion.

Prayer

St. Rita, your prayers brought conversion to your husband's hardened heart. Intercede for all sinners, especially those who seem furthest from God. Pray for [name specific persons]. May their hearts be softened by grace. Help me to pray patiently for those I love who have rejected God, trusting that no one is beyond the reach of His mercy. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

When Rita's husband was murdered, her sons wanted revenge. Rita prayed that they would die rather than commit the mortal sin of murder. God answered her prayer, and both sons died of illness after forgiving their father's killers. Rita's willingness to forgive and her desire to save her sons' souls above all shows heroic love and forgiveness.

Prayer

St. Rita, you forgave those who hurt you and taught your sons to forgive. Help me to forgive those who have wounded me. When I am tempted to hold grudges or seek revenge, remind me of Christ's forgiveness on the cross. Give me the grace to let go of bitterness and to pray for those who have hurt me. May I value souls above justice and choose mercy over revenge. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita lost both her husband and her two sons. The grief was overwhelming, yet she surrendered to God's will. Finding herself alone in the world, she sought entrance to a convent. Though rejected three times, she persevered and was finally admitted. In losing everything, she gained Christ.

Prayer

St. Rita, you know the terrible pain of losing children. Comfort all parents who grieve the loss of a child. Give them strength to endure their sorrow. May they find consolation in the hope of reunion in heaven. Help those who mourn to feel God's presence in their pain. Intercede for all who have lost loved ones, that they may find peace. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita is known as the saint of impossible cases because she obtained so many miracles through her intercession. The situations she faced in life seemed impossible - an abusive marriage, the death of her family, rejection from religious life - yet God worked wonders through her prayers. Nothing is impossible with God.

Prayer

St. Rita, advocate of the impossible, I bring to you my impossible situation: [state your request]. What seems hopeless to me is possible with God. Intercede for me before the throne of grace. Obtain for me the miracle I need, if it is God's will. But above all, help me to trust in divine providence, knowing that God can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita had a special devotion to Christ's passion. One day while meditating on the crown of thorns, she asked to share in Christ's suffering. A thorn from a crucifix struck her forehead, creating a wound that remained for the last 15 years of her life. She bore this stigma as a sign of her union with Christ crucified.

Prayer

St. Rita, you desired to share in Christ's sufferings and bore the wound from His crown of thorns. Help me to embrace my crosses and unite them with Christ's passion. May I not run from suffering but see in it an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus. Give me love for the crucified Christ and willingness to suffer with Him. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

When Rita was dying in winter, she asked her cousin to bring her a rose from her garden. Though it was January, the cousin found a beautiful rose blooming. This miracle and many others through Rita's intercession show that God delights in doing the impossible for those who trust in Him.

Prayer

St. Rita, God worked miracles through your intercession, even making roses bloom in winter. I ask for your powerful help in my need. What seems impossible to human power is easy for God. Obtain for me the favor I seek, or something better if God wills. And send me a sign of your intercession, that I may know you are praying for me. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.

Prayer to St. Rita

O holy patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such 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 the securing of our request, at least the obtaining of great mercy and comfort from the Lord, whom thou didst always serve so faithfully.

Reflection

St. Rita's life was marked by perseverance. She persevered in prayer for her husband's conversion, persevered in seeking entrance to religious life, persevered in bearing her stigma. Through all her trials, she never lost trust in God. On this final day, we ask for her gifts of perseverance and trust.

Prayer

St. Rita, model of perseverance, help me never to give up in prayer or in trust. When my prayers seem unanswered, give me your patience. When my situation seems hopeless, give me your faith. May I persevere in seeking God's will and trusting His love, no matter what happens. Thank you for your intercession during these nine days. Continue to pray for me and present my petitions to our loving God. St. Rita of the Impossible, pray for us! Amen.

Closing Prayer

Glorious St. Rita, obtain for me from thy Divine Spouse the grace of [mention your request]. Be propitious to me, since thou art so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I promise, if my petition is granted, to make thy name known everywhere and to be ever grateful to thee. Amen.