What is St. Rita Known for?
St. Rita of Cascia (1381–1457) is one of the Church’s most beloved saints, often called the Patroness of Impossible Causes. Born in Roccaporena, Italy, she longed for a religious life but was married at a young age to a harsh and violent man. Through her patience, kindness, and prayer, she eventually brought peace to her difficult marriage. After her husband’s tragic death and the death of her two sons, Rita entered the Augustinian convent in Cascia, where she lived a life of deep prayer, penance, and charity.
She is especially known for receiving a partial stigmata—a wound on her forehead resembling the crown of thorns—while meditating on Christ’s Passion. Miracles were reported both during her life and after her death.
St. Rita was canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII.
What is St. Rita the patron saint of?
St. Rita of Cascia is widely known as the Patron Saint of Impossible Causes and Hopeless Situations. She is also the patroness of difficult marriages, abuse victims, infertility/sterility, parenthood, widows, the sick, and bodily ills. Many people turn to her when facing desperate or seemingly impossible problems.
How long does the St. Rita novena last?
The St. Rita Novena lasts 9 consecutive days. You pray it once each day for nine days in a row. This follows the traditional novena format, modeled after the nine days the Apostles prayed between Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost.
Can I pray the novena for someone else?
Yes, you can definitely pray the St. Rita Novena for someone else. This is a beautiful act of intercessory prayer. You may pray for your spouse, children, family members, friends, or anyone in need. Simply mention their name and their specific intention while praying.
When is the best time to start the novena?
You can start the St. Rita Novena at any time — there is no wrong time to ask for her powerful intercession. Many people begin the novena when facing a difficult or impossible situation. It is also very popular to pray it from May 13 to May 21, so it ends on her feast day, May 22.
| Novena Begins: | May 13th |
| Feast Day: | May 22nd |
Patron Saint of impossible causes, sickness, wounds, marital problems, abuse, and mothers.
Day 1 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For the grace to accept God’s will in difficult times.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For peace in marriage and family.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For healing of physical or emotional wounds.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For the conversion or return of loved ones to the faith.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For help in financial or legal difficulties.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For strength during grief and loss.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For purity of heart and perseverance in prayer.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For those suffering from abuse or abandonment.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Rita Novena
Intention: For the impossible cause I am praying for.
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, in your infinite tenderness you have been pleased to regard the prayer of your servant Rita, and to grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill, and effort, as rewards for her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on us in times of adversities and comfort us in our calamities, that even the unbelievers may know that you are the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in you. Grant this in the Name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. Rita, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…
Additional Prayers
Thanksgiving Prayer
O glorious St. Rita, I thank you for your powerful intercession and for the graces received through your help. I will strive to imitate your virtues and spread devotion to you. Amen.
Leave us your prayers…