St Rita of Cascia is often depicted with roses. She is regarded as an intercessor in difficult situations. Her life as wife, mother, widow and nun makes her approachable for many.
Who was Rita of Cascia?
Rita was born around 1381 in Roccaporena in Umbria. She wanted to enter a convent but was married off by her parents. Her husband Paolo is said to have been violent and was later murdered. Rita forgave the murderers. Both her sons died shortly afterwards.
After several attempts she was admitted to the Augustinian convent of Cascia, where she lived until her death on 22 May 1457. Pope Leo XIII canonised her in 1900.
Legend and tradition
According to tradition, while she was contemplating the cross a thorn came loose from the crucifix and left a wound on her forehead. In addition, shortly before her death in January a rose and two figs are said to have been found in the garden. Both are legends.
Feast day
The feast day of St Rita is 22 May, the day of her death in 1457. Regional and denominational calendars may differ.
Patronage
- People in seemingly hopeless causes
- Women in need and marriages in crisis
- The desperate
“Patron saint” means that people ask this saint to intercede for them with God. No guarantee or promise of miracles is attached to it.
Attributes and depiction
Rita is depicted in the Augustinian habit with the thorn wound on her forehead, a crucifix and roses.
A short prayer
St Rita, you did not give up in suffering and loss. Pray for me when a situation seems hopeless. Give me the strength to forgive and the confidence that God will not abandon me. Amen.
A simple prayer in our own words, to pray along.
Customs
On 22 May, roses are blessed in many churches and handed out to the faithful, especially in Cascia itself. The Rita novena is often prayed before the feast.
Today
For many, Rita is a saint who glosses over nothing: she experienced violence, the death of her family and loneliness, and yet remained in the faith. That is why people in crisis in particular turn to her. As a name-day gift for a Rita or Margarita, a picture or a rose with good wishes is lovely. The rose branch for 22 May is a delicate custom that is kept up in many places. If you would like to pray the novena, you can take a few minutes on each of nine days to name your worry and leave it to prayer.
Matching items at LUNEXUS
- Red glass bead rosary 50 cm with Madonna medal – blessed
- Olive wood holding cross 9 cm – blessed, Bethlehem
- Olive wood comfort cross – handcrafted in Bethlehem
We do not currently stock an item dedicated to St Rita. These companions suit her cause: prayer in difficult times.
Many, but not all, of our items are blessed in our own warehouse by a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Fulda. A business-card-sized certificate card showing the date of the blessing is then enclosed; whether an item is blessed is stated in its title or description. Shipped via Amazon's logistics network – free within Germany, €5.90 to Austria and France; Italy €6.90, Spain €6.90. Returns are possible within 30 days.
More to choose from: rosaries and all patron saints. Parishes and groups will find an offer on request on the quantity discount page (does not apply to wooden statues from the woodcarving workshop).
Keep reading in the magazine: How to pray the rosary: guide and mysteries
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast day of St Rita?
On 22 May.
Why is Rita depicted with roses?
The rose is a sign from the legend of the year of her death and stands for her love and steadfastness.
What do people pray to St Rita for?
She is invoked in seemingly hopeless causes, in marriage difficulties and in times of need.
Sources: Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon (Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints), the Martyrologium Romanum and the regional calendar for the German-speaking area. We flag legends as such; prayers are, unless stated otherwise, our own simple wording. Compiled by Denis & Belinda, as of October 2026.
