Readers of these pages know by now of my great devotion to St. Rita of Cascia, the saint of impossible causes.
She’s been stalking me lately.
Seriously.
This morning I received an email from a gentleman who’s work I greatly admire. I would include a link to his site but I haven’t cleared it with him. Can’t be too careful. I write under a pseudonym to protect the people I care about. So sharing links is something I have to be cautious about. Perhaps he’ll read this and give me the go-ahead.
In any event, in his email this man suggested that I, while on my tour of the northeast, visit the National Shrine of St. Rita in Philadelphia. I wrote back thanking him for reading my blog – which by the way means the world to me – and for the suggestion. And I told him that I was, in fact, married at that very church. The Shrine is a very special place to me.
St. Rita has been part of my life since I first read her story in 8th grade. She helped me find my wife. I honored her by naming my only daughter after her. And I will tell everyone I meet about this great saint because of my devotion to her.
So tonight, I went to a high mass for the feast of St. Lawrence. I was surprised to see the priest was the young man mentioned a few months ago in a Barnhardt post. This is where he was assigned.
And then I went up to the rail for Communion, glanced up at the windows surrounding the apse, and there she was. My saint!
Friends, whatever your impossible cause is, please bring it to Rita. If you don’t know her story, read it here. Start your novenas. I believe God wants us to remember these great friends of His and to ask of Him through their intercession. And St. Rita will not disappoint.
Someone once remarked to me, “St. Rita? Why do you like her?! I’ve heard she delivers but also requires a lot from you in terms of suffering…” And if she does? over the years of my association with her, I have come to learn that desiring suffering is a sign of advancement in holiness. Yes, Lord, give me the thorn! I want to suffer with You!
St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 