St. Rita of Cascia (1381–1457) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Rita of Cascia was an Italian Augustinian nun who endured an abusive marriage for eighteen years before her husband was murdered. The Church celebrates St. Rita of Cascia's feast on 05-22.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Rita of Cascia as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Rita of Cascia for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Rita of Cascia
Rita of Cascia was an Italian Augustinian nun who endured an abusive marriage for eighteen years before her husband was murdered. After her two sons also died, she entered an Augustinian convent at the age of thirty-six, where she received a wound on her forehead from a thorn, considered a partial stigmata. She is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic world, invoked for seemingly impossible causes.
The vocation of St. Rita of Cascia reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Rita of Cascia's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
St. Rita of Cascia is honored as the patron saint of Impossible causes, abused wives, difficult marriages, parenthood. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with Impossible causes have traditionally invoked St. Rita of Cascia's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Rita of Cascia is grounded in the specific details of Cascia's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Rita of Cascia in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Rita of Cascia and seek Cascia's intercession:
On the Feast Day (05-22): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Cascia's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Cascia's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Rita of Cascia and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Rita of Cascia in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Cascia, pray for us," draws Cascia's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Rita of Cascia can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Rita of Cascia. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Rita of Cascia
O glorious St. Rita of Cascia, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Rita of Cascia as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Cascia's memory imitate Cascia's virtues and one day share Cascia's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Rita of Cascia in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Rita of Cascia has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Rita of Cascia in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Cascia's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Cascia's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Rita of Cascia is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Rita of Cascia: She is called the 'Saint of the Impossible' and roses are blessed on her feast day because, according to legend, she asked a visitor to bring her a rose from her garden in the dead of winter and a fresh bloom was found.
When praying before an image of St. Rita of Cascia, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.