SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER MAY 22, 2021 MEMORIAL OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

REFLECTION

“Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well,”

In a small suburb in Cascia, Italy, there lay an infant in a crib. In 1381, this newly baptized baby girl slept unharmed as a swarm of white bees hovered over her crib, flying in and out of her mouth. Her parents interpreted this as a good sign for their only child, Margherita Lotti. Antonio and Amata Ferra Lotti were known for being Peacemakers for Christ and raised their daughter to be the same. Rita wanted to become a nun, but at the age of 12, her parents arranged a marriage for her to a wealthy man. Paolo Mancini was a quick-tempered, immoral man who had many enemies.

Rita practiced great love and patience in her difficult marriage. She bore two sons and raised them to be Christians. In her eighteen-year marriage, her husband eventually converted. However, he was murdered from a long-standing family feud at the hands of a betrayer. Rita showed the strength of Christ as she publicly forgave the murderers of Paolo.

Paolo’s brother could not do the same and he persuaded Rita’s two sons to get revenge. Rita prayed God would not allow her children to become murderers. Before they could carry out the vendetta, they both died of dysentery.

Rita was left alone in the world, so she sought out her vocation as a nun. They refused her because they feared the family vendetta would continue inside the monastery. Therefore, the only way she could enter the convent was if she convinced the families to stop feuding.

Rita implored help from St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Nicholas of Tolentino. Soon the families mended the feud, and at 36 years of age, Rita could enter St. Mary Magdalene Monastery. It is said she levitated past the locked doors to the monastery escorted by her three patron saints. This Augustinian monastery was St. Rita’s home for the rest of her life.

When she was about sixty years old, she received a thorn wound on her forehead during prayer. She suffered from this partial Stigmata until she died in 1457. As her health worsened, a visiting cousin asked her what would she like from her old home. She asked for a rose. Since it was January, the cousin was shocked to find a single rose in the garden, which she brought to Rita.

St. Rita’s incorruptible body lays in the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. She is the patron saint for impossible causes, parenthood, and troubled marriages. St. Rita lived the gospel and followed Jesus all the way to his suffering on the cross.

Let us pray:

Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, so humble, pure and patient, whose pleadings with thy Divine Spouse are irresistible, obtain for me from thy Crucified Christ my request (mention it here). Be kind to me, for the greater glory of God, and I promise to honor thee and to sing thy praises forever.

Oh glorious St. Rita, who didst miraculously participate in the sorrowful Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen