Cascia, Italy: Home of Saint Rita of Cascia and the Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia
About Cascia:
North of Rome, the small town of Cascia has two great claims to fame:
#1 Cascia is home to Saint Rita of Cascia, one of Catholicism’s most revered saints, often referred to as the “Saint of the Impossible”.
#2 Cascia is also the place where a Eucharistic Miracle is preserved. It is therefore high on the list for many Catholic pilgrims.
The Story of Saint Rita of Cascia:
Saint Rita of Cascia is often called “the saint of the impossible”. St. Rita’s story is one of the power of prayer and of faith. She was born in 1381 near the city of Cascia and, although she wished to enter a convent, she was married off under obedience to her parent’s wishes at the age of 16. Due to a mis-interpretation of some of the writings on her coffin, it had long been thought that her husband was abusive to her during their 18 years of marriage. But recent research has basically de-bunked this story. Click here for more on the background of the story.
Her husband was murdered by political enemies, and although her two sons vowed revenge, she prayed fervently that they would not seek vengeance.
Her prayers were answered, but certainly not in the way she had hoped. The two sons died of the flu before they could commit murder.
She was able to get the two feuding families to sign an agreement (not an easy thing in Italy at this time)….hence she is considered patron saint of impossible causes (see the prayer below).
As was her goal many years before, she joined the Augustinian Convent in Cascia (after being refused three times).
She was blessed with the Stigmata of Our Lord on her forehead. Although this stigmata gave off a highly offensive odor she bore it with humility and upon her death in 1457 the fragrance of flowers emanated from her body.
Here is the prayer to Saint Rita when in special need:
O powerful St. Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need. You know well my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my help, speak for me, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father. I know that God has a most generous heart and that he is a most loving Father. Join your prayers to mine and obtain for me the grace I desire (here mention your request). You who were so very pleasing to God on earth and are so much so now in heaven, I promise to use this favor, when granted, to better my life, to proclaim God’s mercy, and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.
We celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Rita of Cascia on May 22.
Check out the great selection of Saint Rita devotionals in our online store.
The Basilica of Saint Rita in Cascia:
Inside the Basilica of Saint Rita lies her body in a separate chapel. She was never buried, and as her coffin was on public display, many faithful came to pray and light candles. Her body has remained incorrupt and has even been reported to have sat up and risen!
You can also see the Crucifix from which she received the Stigmata as well as her cell where she spent the rest of her life.
The Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia:
This miracle took place in Siena, and is not related to Saint Rita, but is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Rita here in Cascia.
The miraculous host dates from 1330 when a priest in Siena, off to visit a dying farmer, took a consecrated host and stuck it in his breviary rather than a pyx. When he arrived at the bedside he opened the breviary and discovered the host was bleeding and that the pages inside were stained with blood.
The pages were preserved and numerous tests were performed confirming that it was indeed human blood. The Eucharistic miracle is kept in the lower chapel of the Basilica. Here is an interesting video describing the miracle.
Traveling to Cascia:
Some Catholic tours do include Cascia in their itineraries while others do not. Cascia is about 60 miles north of Rome and can make a good stop if you are traveling from Rome to Assisi.
Driving time is about 2 hours if you are traveling on your own. There is no direct train service to Cascia, but you can take the train to Spoleto and then transfer to a bus that will take you directly in to Cascia. Your train ticket also serves as your bus ticket. There is also bus service direct from Rome, taking about 3 hours. Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.
Address: viale Santa Rita 06043 Cascia (PG)
Tel: +39 0743 75091 Fax: +39 0743 76202
GPS coordinates: 42° 43′ 8.1948” N, 13° 0′ 45.3600” E
e-mail: infobasilica@santaritadacascia.org
Click here for the official website of the Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.
You can view a video (in English) at the shrine as well
as take guided tours (in Italian).
There is also a National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in the United States (Philadelphia).
⇐ Back to Catholic shrines and places of interest in Italy
I am from India,I would like to come to cascia what is the total cost
You would need to contact a tour operator or travel agency.