Saint Rita (1381–1457) was born near Cascia, Italy, and lived first as a wife and mother before losing her husband and both of her sons. She then entered the Augustinian monastery in Cascia, where she received a wound on her forehead like one from Christ's crown of thorns, which she bore for years. She was canonized in 1900 and is honored as the patroness of impossible causes.
Rita knew grief in nearly every form — the loss of a husband and of her children — yet she answered sorrow with forgiveness and unshakable trust in God. She shows us that hearts broken by loss can still become wellsprings of peace, and that no cause is too hopeless to bring to prayer.
Saint Rita, patroness of impossible causes, pray for all who carry heavy sorrow, that like you they may find in God a peace the world cannot give. Amen.Enter today’s Mass → All saints →