Sharing the faith

The National Shrine of St. Rita, built as a tribute, received its own honor last weekend.

Members of a sister memorial, the Shrine of St. Rita in Cascia, Italy, traveled to South Philly to join local clergy and dignitaries in three days of worship and festivities. Hundreds of parishioners turned out for the event.

The Shrine of St. Rita in Cascia (the southern area of the Umbrian region) chooses a church every year that shares in its commitment to honor 15th-century Augustinian Sister Margherita Lotti, or St. Rita — Saint of the Impossible.

Once a shrine is chosen, it — along with the Cascia shrine — celebrates St. Rita’s life and death in a "twinning of the two shrines," accomplished through an exchange of visits.

"The twinning of the shrines is made in order to celebrate two different places that share the same devotion for St. Rita," said the Rev. Michael DiGregorio, rector of St. Rita’s, 1166 S. Broad St.

Twenty-five Italian dignitaries, including Archbishop Riccardo Fontana of Spoleto and Mayor Gino Emili of Cascia, attended the three-day festival at St. Rita’s — the first American shrine ever to be involved in the spiritual celebration.

"The celebration was very uplifting," said DiGregorio. "All of the dignitaries from Italy were impressed by our hospitality."

On Friday, Philadelphia artist Anthony Visco unveiled his statue of St. Rita holding Jesus’ crown of thorns. The figure was dedicated to the South Philly shrine.

Cardinal Justin Rigali celebrated Mass on Saturday, and Archbishop Fontana of Spoleto did the honors Sunday.

City Council President Anna Verna and Councilman Frank DiCicco, along with students from St. Monica, St. Nicholas, St. Maria Goretti High, St. John Neumann High and four other area schools, attended the Masses to show respect to St. Rita.

The Italian nun earned sainthood for demonstrating extraordinary forgiveness. After her husband was killed over political rivalries, Rita begged her sons not to avenge their father’s death. Her sons died soon thereafter, leaving Rita alone.

She attempted to join the Augustinian Nuns of Cascia to finally fulfill what she felt had been her calling since childhood, but her request was denied three times.

After Rita told her husband’s family and the rival factions that she forgave all trespasses and persuaded them to make peace, the convent welcomed her. The nun spent the next 40 years in prayer and charity, and working for peace in her town.

In the coming weeks, dignitaries from the South Philly shrine will fly to Cascia and celebrate St. Rita there, as the Italian dignitaries did here.

That visit will complete the twinning of the two shrines.

The St. Rita’s shrine will host its own celebration of the sister next month, beginning with a novena starting May 13, and ending with the blessing of roses May 22.

For more information on the National Shrine of St. Rita, call 215-526-8333.