The Super-Virus and Impossible times…Try this powerful prayer today to St.Rita for “Impossible Cases”

Published Originally on RCatholic.com

Are you faced with a difficult problem? Does the coronavirus outbreak seem insurmountable? The prayer to St. Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) shown below might help. After all, St. Rita, is known as the “Saint of the Impossible.”

Early in life, she had a strong desire to be a nun, but got married instead, following her parents’ wishes. By all accounts, her husband was Mr. Wrong, an abusive man with whom she bore two sons of similar temperament.

Apparently she had the patience of a saint because she prayed for them all and tried to be a dutiful wife and mother! After 18 years of marriage, her husband was murdered and her sons died of natural causes the following year.

After that, St. Rita finally got her wish and was admitted to the convent of Augustinian nuns at Cascia. Tradition has it that the nuns there initially refused to let St. Rita join because she was a widow. One night Saint John the Baptist, St. Augustine and St. Nicholasof Tolentino opened gates that had been bolted shut and left her in the chapel of the convent.

When the nuns found St. Rita there the next morning they understood God’s designs for her and accepted her unanimously. Talk about prayer opening doors!

Many other miracles were attributed to St. Rita, both during her life and after her death. As an example, her devotion to Jesus in His Passion was such that a thorn from the crucifix in her room pierced her forehead one day while she was praying! The prayer to St. Rita also touches on that miracle.

O Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the HOPELESS and even of the IMPOSSIBLE; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such compassionate love for the Crucified Jesus that thou couldst obtain from Him whatsoever thou askest, on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee, expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort; be propitious to our petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of they suppliant; be lavish to us, as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of thine own devotion, and for the consolation of those who trust in thee.  We promise, if our petition is granted, to glorify thee by making known thy favor, to bless and sing thy praises forever.  Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray thee grant that ( here mention your request).

Obtain for us our request

By the singular merits of thy childhood,

By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,

By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,

By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband,

By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God,

By the sever penances and trice daily scourgings,

By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of thy Crucified Savior,

By the divine love which consumed thy heart,

By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, on which alone thou dost exist for four years,

By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse,

By the perfect example you gavest to people of every state of life,

Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY

O God, Who in Thine infinite tenderness hast vouchsafed to regard the prayer of Thy servant, Blessed Rita, and dost grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on Thy promise, have pity on our adversity and succor us in our calamities, that the unbeliever may know Thou art the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in Thee, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

Weeping with love, St. Rita had asked to share in Our Lord’s suffering and her request was granted in this literally striking way! She bore the painful wound with typical dignity and grace, imitating our crucified Lord.

The prayer to St. Rita, like her miracles, helps remind us indeed that “all things are possible with God,” as Jesus said in Mark’s gospel (10:27). Roses are her symbol. Her feast day is May 22nd.