Mass Sunday May 22 for St. Rita of Cascia / Social after Mass in Danta Hall

The St. Michael’s Church Preservation Society and the Mary Help of Christians Sodality invite all to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Rita of Cascia at historic St. Michael’s Church on Sunday May 22 at 11:00 am. At the Mass all wives will be presented with a fresh-cut rose in solidarity with St. Rita and all spouses who bear special difficulties. Complimentary refreshments will be available in Dante Hall after Mass. St. Rita was born near Spoleto, Italy, in 1381, and at an early age wanted to become an Augustinian nun but was opposed by her parents who forced her to marry a cruel and harsh husband. After eighteen unhappy years she was widowed with two sons who later died. Rita tried unsuccessfully to become a nun but was denied because she was a widow and not a virgin. Finally in 1413, the order accepted her and she earned fame for her austerity, devotion to prayer, and charity. St. Rita received visions and wounds on her forehead which resembled the crown of thorns. She died on May 22, 1457 at Cascia and many miracles were reported instantly. Canonized in 1900, she is honored in Spain as La Santa de los Impossibles and elsewhere as a patron saint of hopeless causes.