The Miracles of Saint Rita
Saint Rita of Cascia is one of the most venerated saints. Indeed, miracles obtained through her intercession are countless. Whether during her lifetime or after her death, Saint Rita received great graces from the Lord: the blind seeing, the mute speaking, the terminally ill healing... This thaumaturgical saint is the patroness of lost causes. Discover the many miracles obtained through her powerful intercession and testimonies of healings at her tomb.
Who Was Saint Rita?
Saint Rita was born in 1381 in Roccaporena near Cascia. From earliest childhood, Rita was protected by the Lord, as attested by the miracle of the bees. She exemplified gentleness and piety.
At age 14, she was married to a pagan, Paolo Mancini, who was violent toward her. But through her unwavering faith and deep kindness, the saint converted him. Two sons were born from this marriage. After her husband’s murder by bandits, Saint Rita prayed to Heaven that her sons would die rather than seek revenge. Her prayer was answered, and they died of plague that same day. Rita then sought to enter a convent. After repeated refusals, a miracle opened a monastery’s doors to her. Her holiness was further confirmed when she received the stigmata of a thorn from Christ’s crown on her forehead, which she bore until death, sharing in Jesus Christ’s suffering.
Many prayers are addressed to Saint Rita of Cascia, also called "the saint of the impossible."
Miracles in Saint Rita’s Life
The Birth of Saint Rita
Saint Rita’s parents were a holy, prayerful, charitable couple deeply in love but childless. After persistent prayers, the Lord granted them a daughter whom they named Rita (short for Margherita).
The Miracle of the Bees
While her parents worked in fields, baby Rita slept in a basket under a tree. Bees swarmed over her, even entering her mouth, yet harmed her not. A farmer with a wounded hand witnessed this; afterward, his hand healed miraculously. Years later, bees spontaneously inhabited her monastery’s garden.
The Miracle of the Vine
To test Rita’s obedience, her superior ordered her to water a dead vine daily. Despite mockery, Rita obeyed. After a year, the vine revived, producing exceptional grapes. For over 500 years, this vine has flourished at Cascia’s convent.
The Miracle of the Roses
As a nun gravely ill in winter, Rita asked a visitor for a rose from her garden. The nun dismissed it as delirium, but later found a blooming rose in Rita’s snow-covered garden. The same occurred with two ripe figs in winter.
The Miracle of the Forehead Thorn
While meditating on Christ’s Passion, Rita asked to share His pain from a thorn. Instantly, a thorn flew from a crucifix and embedded in her forehead, causing a painful wound that remained for 14 years. It healed only during her pilgrimage to Rome.
Miraculously, her body remains incorrupt, emitting a sweet fragrance when displayed. The wound is still visible.
Miracles After Saint Rita’s Death
After her death, wonders abounded: witnesses saw her ascend in glory; monastery bells rang untouched; her wound healed into a beautiful mark; her body emitted fragrance; her face glowed. A nun kissed her and was healed of paralysis.
Crowds flocked to venerate "the saint of Rocca Porena." Her body, placed in an open coffin, remained supple and fragrant.
Miracles through her intercession fill a registry. Four examples:
In 1457, a mute girl prayed at her tomb and began reciting the Hail Mary.
That year, Lucia—blind in one eye and nearly blind in the other—regained full sight after 15 days of prayer at the tomb.
Elizabeth Bergamini, blinded by smallpox, recovered her sight four months after praying to Rita.
Cosma Pellegrini, terminally ill, was healed after a vision of Rita greeting him.
Testimonies of graces received through Saint Rita’s intercession continue uninterrupted, as shown by countless ex-votos at Cascia’s basilica.
Entrust your requests to Saint Rita too!
Continue Your Prayer with Saint Rita Through Hozana!
Discover wonderful prayer communities to pray with saints like Rita through Hozana.
Here is a to ask for the saint’s intercession.
