Nothing is impossible with St Rita of Cascia
A visit to the shrine of the patron saint of lost causes — her incorrupt body, a nun who places prayers under the coffin, and a St Mary MacKillop medal now at home in Cascia. (4 min read)
St Rita of Cascia was born in Roccaporena in the middle ages, though she spent the latter part of her life in a convent in Cascia. She was canonised and is known as the patron saint of lost causes. Many miracles have been attributed to her, most notably relating to the stigmata on her forehead from the crown of thorns and mystical experiences such as the roses and figs she manifest during winter while on her deathbed and the smell (of roses). The preservation of her physical body, no longer intact but still apparent 500 years after her death, is pretty extraordinary.
Cascia is about 90 kilometres from Assisi and St Rita’s body is still on display in a glass coffin in a cathedral adjoining the convent in which she lived. I spent a few hours visiting this church and also the nearby town where St Rita was born. This was my first visit to St Rita and it will surely remain with me for the rest of my life. The energy of the church, or rather the spirit around St Rita’s body, is very strong. The pilgrims drawn to this sacred place are primarily Italian and, consequently, there is much less tourist tat than Assisi or Montserrat and a sense of genuine reverence.
St Rita’s body is kept about 2 metres behind a very high metal grill. Although the habit is not original, you can see that her body and face are intact. All around her are gifts of roses, presumably from people whose prayers have been answered.
Although one cannot touch the casket, a lovely Augustian nun appears from time to time to accept offerings and prayers. She also pokes St Rita’s walking stick through the grill and the pilgrims can touch it. I first touched it with all the rosaries I’m carrying and then with my hands. I can’t say I felt much from the stick, but the nun was taken with me and she took my pictures and prayers and placed them under St Rita’s coffin. This was a great honour and I felt compelled to give her a little St Mary of the Cross (Mackillop) medal – which I’m pleased to say is now at home in Cascia.
Roccaporenta, where Rita was born, is about 5 kilometres from Cascia. It is a very small and includes the house where Rita lived with Pablo and the boys, as well as her parents’ house. The garden where the roses and the figs were found is also here. There is a huge cross set into the hillside of the rock after which the town is named. There is also now a miracle walk, which includes the stations of the cross, up to a spot where there is a statue of St Rita in a natural alcove. All over the walk and the alcove are prayers and photos to St Rita. This is also very moving.
For anyone who feels they are a lost cause, a visit to Cascia will not disappoint.
You may also wish to read this speech by the Pope on the centenary of her canonisation: Canonisation Speech
Namaste
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
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