Novena to St. Rita
May 13-21, 2026
Novena begins this Wednesday, May 13th.
St. Rita of Cascia is widely known as the Patroness of Impossible Causes and Hopeless Situations.
Born in 15th-century Italy, she endured extraordinary suffering throughout her life: an arranged marriage, the violent death of her husband, the loss of both her sons, and years of solitude as an Augustinian nun before her death in 1457. Yet through it all, she united her sufferings to Christ with heroic faith, and even received a wound on her forehead in union with His crown of thorns.
Canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, St. Rita has interceded for countless souls in desperate circumstances. Her feast day, celebrated on May 22nd, is the perfect occasion to turn to her with the burdens that feel too heavy and the petitions that seem beyond all hope.