The Feast of Saint Rita of Cascia

Santa Rita da Cascia is one of the most cited figures of Catholic saints and venerated by the faithful, either for the miracles worked for his great human story.
He was born by Antonio and Amata Ferri Lottius that waited 12 years.
His birth was announced to his mother by an angel.
Rita was born in 1381 in the village of Roccaporena to Cascia in the province of Perugia.
A few months of life occurred the first miracle.
Rita rested on a cot not far from his parents who were working the fields: a swarm of bees surrounded it without getting stung, a few were also slipped into the mouth without harm but rather sweeten her mouth with honey...
Meanwhile, a peasant who was wounded with a scythe in one hand went near to Rita and at the vision of the scene took to drive away the bees and then came the second phase of the prodigy: as he shook his arms to make it go away the man's wound healed completely. All people cried to the miracle.
He was thirteen years old when his parents, perhaps forced to do it, promised Rita in marriage to Fernando Mancini;she was not happy of the choice of parents beacause until a child was very clear her predisposition to faith.
In the course of her life lost her husband and children and became a nun.
During the Celebrations of St Rita Cascia reach people from everywhere to remember this humble woman, and to celebrate the power of his message and his life.
Each year the city holds a twinning with a different European country.
From twin town, a week before the feast, part of a torch athletes representing the city. After miles and miles, the torch is handed to the Mayor of Cascia on the evening of May 21 in front of the Basilica of Santa Rita.
Lights so the flame of a monumental tripod that symbolizes the enduring alliance and brotherhood among peoples.
Celebrations of St Rita begin with a torchlight procession, which commemorates the death of the saint in 1447 when Casciani and citizens of neighboring countries, came to the monastery to accompany their compatriot in his return to the Father. On the evening of May 21, 1447 that were probably a few torches lit waterfall, but today there are thousands of candles placed on buildings, streets and lawns along the river valley Horn.
On the morning of May 22 at the Church Lady. Health celebrations begin with Mass and end the blessing of the roses, the symbol of Santa Rita.
After Mass, the solemn procession, characteristic for the presence of a historical procession depicting episodes from the life of the saint with over 400 participants, with the participation of the civil authorities with their banners and fraternities.
Procession arrives before the sacrament of the church and here in front of a forest of red roses hand held by thousands of pilgrims, Cardinal blesses the roses in honor of Santa Rita and blesses the bread and then distributed it among the nations.
Celebrations of St Rita represent a moment long awaited by millions of devotees around the world, people came running from everywhere to pay homage to a woman you drew a line in history and never will be forgotten.
Information:IAT of Cascia 0743/71401 or www.santaritadacascia.org

Programma Celebrazioni S Rita 2011(pdf 333 kb).