St. Rita During the last four years of her life, Rita was confined to bed and was able to eat so little that she was practically sustained on the Eucharist alone. One of those who visited her some months before her death - a relative from her hometown of Roccaporena - was privileged to witness firsthand the extraordinary things wrought by Rita's requests. When asked whether she had any special desires, Rita asked only that a rose from the garden of her parent's home be brought to her. It was a small favor to ask, but quite an impossible one to grant in the month of January! Nevertheless, on returning home the woman discovered, much to her amazement, a single, brightly-colored blossom on the bush where the nun said it would be. Picking it, she returned immediately to the monastery and presented it to Rita, who gave thanks to God for this sign of His love. Thus the saint of the thorn became the advocate of all those whose own requests seem impossible as well.
Having faithfully and lovingly responded to God's many invitations to her in the course of her seventy-six years, Rita returned to him in peace on May 22, 1457. As a special sign of God's favor, granted to only a small number of those the Church has raised to sainthood, Rita's body has remained incorrupt over the centuries. It is venerated today in the shrine next to the monastery in Cascia, which now bears her name. Her feast is observed on the anniversary of her death. Rita is invoked as the "Saint of the Impossible" because of the exemplary way in which she met with the many difficulties and crosses in her own life, and turned them into instruments of growth in holiness before God. Saint Rita leaves with us her message of forgiveness, peace, love, suffering, humility and joy. http://www.geocities.com/sistersofstrita/rita.html Prayer to St. Rita Feast Day: May 22 (patron of impossible cases) Holy patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, so humble, pure and patient, whose pleadings with the Divine Spouse are irresistible, obtain for us from your Crucified Jesus our request (mention it). Be gracious toward us for the greater glory of God and we promise to honor you and sing your praises forever. Amen. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. **************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****************************************************************
