MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 22 MAY
May 22, 2026
HER CHILDHOOD DESIRE FOR RELIGIOUS LIFE
From childhood, Rita loved prayer, silence, and the things of God. Though her parents desired marriage for her, her heart longed to belong completely to the Lord. Even as a young girl, she often withdrew to pray and meditate on God’s presence.
Scripture reminds us:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
— Psalm 37:4
An incident from her early life tells how bees gathered around Rita’s cradle without harming her, a sign many believed symbolized the sweetness and purity of her soul.
God often plants holy desires quietly within the soul long before their purpose fully unfolds.
HER DIFFICULT MARRIAGE
Rita was given in marriage to Paolo Mancini, a man known for his violent temper. Their marriage brought years of sorrow, conflict, and emotional suffering. Yet Rita responded not with hatred but with patience, prayer, and quiet endurance.
Scripture says:
“Love is patient and kind”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4
Through years of gentle charity and constant prayer, Rita slowly softened her husband’s heart and brought greater peace into their home.
Love rooted in God has the power to soften even hearts hardened by anger and pain.
HER PATIENCE WITH PAOLO
Rita endured insults, harshness, and difficulties from her husband without allowing bitterness to take root in her soul. She prayed daily for his conversion and remained faithful to her vocation as wife and mother.
Jesus teaches:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
— Matthew 5:9
Over time Paolo changed greatly and became more loving and peaceful, largely because of Rita’s steadfast patience and prayer.
Persistent mercy can transform situations that force and anger cannot heal.
THE MURDER OF HER HUSBAND
Paolo was eventually murdered because of old family feuds and violence. Rita suffered deeply, yet instead of seeking revenge, she forgave those responsible and prayed for their souls.
Scripture says:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
— Romans 12:21
At a time when revenge was expected, Rita courageously chose forgiveness, becoming a witness to Christ’s mercy.
Forgiveness breaks the cycle of hatred and frees the soul from becoming captive to bitterness.
HER PRAYER FOR HER SONS
Rita feared that her two sons would seek vengeance for their father’s death. In great anguish, she prayed that God would prevent them from committing mortal sin, even if it meant losing them.
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
— Mark 8:36
Soon afterward, both sons became ill and died peacefully after reconciling with God. Rita trusted their souls to Divine Mercy.
True love seeks the salvation of the soul above earthly desires or personal attachment.
HER REJECTION FROM THE CONVENT
After the deaths of her husband and sons, Rita desired to enter the convent of the Augustinian nuns in Cascia. At first she was refused because her family was connected to violent feuds.
Scripture says:
“What is impossible for men is possible for God.”
— Luke 18:27
According to tradition, Saints John the Baptist, Augustine, and Nicholas of Tolentino miraculously led Rita into the convent during the night, after which the sisters accepted her.
Human obstacles cannot prevent what God truly wills for a soul.
THEIR SIMPLICITY AND ORDINARY LIVES
Most of the martyrs were humble parish priests, catechists, workers, and ordinary believers from rural communities. Their holiness was found not in fame, but in daily faithfulness to God.
“God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong”
— 1 Corinthians 1:27
Holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary; God sanctifies ordinary lives offered with love and faithfulness.
HER HIDDEN LIFE IN THE CONVENT
Rita spent many years in the convent living a simple and hidden life filled with prayer, obedience, fasting, and humble service. She did ordinary tasks faithfully and sought no recognition.
Scripture teaches:
“Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful also in much.”
— Luke 16:10
One well-known incident tells how Rita obediently watered a dry vine branch for many years simply because her superior instructed her to do so. The branch later blossomed into a living grapevine that still exists today.
Holiness often grows most deeply in hidden faithfulness rather than public recognition.
HER WOUND FROM CHRIST’S THORN
While meditating deeply on Christ’s Passion before a crucifix, Rita asked to share in His suffering. She then received a painful wound on her forehead as though pierced by a thorn from Christ’s crown.
Scripture says:
“I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
— Galatians 6:17
The wound caused her suffering and isolation for many years, yet she accepted it with love and offered her pain to God.
The soul that loves Christ deeply begins to share spiritually in both His suffering and His love.
THE ROSE IN WINTER
Near the end of her life, while Rita was bedridden, she asked a relative to bring her a rose from her childhood garden. Though it was the middle of winter and snow covered the ground, a single blooming rose was found.
Scripture says:
“See, I am doing a new thing.”
— Isaiah 43:19
The miraculous rose became a symbol of hope, grace, and God’s power to bring beauty out of suffering.
God can bring unexpected grace and beauty even from situations that appear spiritually hopeless.
HER LEGACY AS THE SAINT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
Saint Rita became known throughout the world as the Saint of Impossible Causes because countless people experienced hope, healing, reconciliation, and answered prayers through her intercession.
Jesus said:
“For God all things are possible.”
— Matthew 19:26
Even today, people burdened by broken families, impossible situations, sickness, and despair continue to seek her prayers with great trust.
No suffering offered to God with trust is ever wasted or beyond redemption.
PRAYER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA
O compassionate Saint Rita of Cascia,
saint of the impossible and faithful servant of Christ,
pray for us in our struggles, sorrows, and brokenness.
Teach us to forgive when wounded,
to persevere when discouraged,
and to trust God when life seems hopeless.
Help us to carry our crosses with love
and to believe that God can still make roses bloom in winter.
May your example lead us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and strengthen our faith in God’s mercy and providence.
Amen.
