Born in the late 14th century in a poor family in Umbria in Italy, St Rita entered an arranged marriage at the age of 12. Her marriage was not a happy one, with her husband being very violent, angry and abusive. He died as a result of a feud with another family. Rita’s sons sought revenge of his death, but ended up dying of dysentery. Rita was always seeking their conversion and replied with humility, patience, courage, and kindness to the difficult circumstance that engulfed her life. Rita was not allowed to become a nun after the death of her husband and her sons until she was able to forge peace and reconciliation between the feuding families. She entered the monastery as a nun following the Augustinian rule at the age of 36. She died of tuberculosis in 1457. She was not canonized until the year 1900, more than 500 years later. St Rita, along with St Jude, is know as the patron saint of impossible causes. Her body has remained incorruptible over the centuries.
In the Gospel today, Jesus declares to his disciples: “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” St Rita found joy in her faith even in the midst of the difficult circumstances and abusive relationships that she was determined not to take Christ’s joy away from her. St Rita, we unite our prayers with yours today, asking that you help us with any seemingly impossible situations that may exist in our lives.
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