EIGHTH DAY
St Rita, you suffered an illness which for four years kept you bedbound till death.
You left an example for us in this way of perfect resignation to the Will of God and to unconquerable patience in suffering.
your only regret was in being a burden to your companions.
What calm and peace shone in your face as you approached your deliverance from the painful prison of your body to your heavenly home.
How shall it be with us, sinners at the hour of death?
Oh St Rita, regard our misery.
Ask Jesus to grant us perfect resignation and patience in our last illness, and a happy death in His embrace, so that, in your company, we may bless our Jesus forever.
Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be three times;
OUR FATHER, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy kngdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against usl.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
GLORY BE to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
SUPPLICATION TO ST RITA
Holy patroness of those in need, St Rita, whose pleadings before your divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for your generosity in granting favours have been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the impossible.
St Rita, you were so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such compassionate love for your crucified Jesus that you could obtain from Him whatever you asked for.
On this account we confidently turn to you for assistance, expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort.
Be favourably inclined to our request, showing your power with God on behalf of the suppliant.
Be generous to us as you have been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of the devotion to you, and for the consolation of those who trust in you.
We promise, if our petition is granted, to glorify you by making known your favour , to bless and sing your praise forever.
Relying then, on your merit and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray you
(here mention your request).
NINTH DAY
Your deep humility, St Rita, and the distinguishing virtues which from childhood to death you sought to conceal from the world, keeping yourself hidden in God, were the cause of your elevation to the illustrious distinction you now enjoy in heaven.
But our loving Jesus, Whose humility you perfectly emulated, wished to glorify you on earth also.
No sooner had your beautiful soul left for Paradise than many miracles were wrought through your intercession,while at the same time, from far and near, people proclaimed you a saint.
And now devotion to you is spread thoughout the world, and above all the saints you enjoy the privilege of being called the 'Saint of the Impossible' and 'Advocate of most hopeless cases.'
Illustrious St Rita, obtain for us from God the inestimable favour of knowing we have nothing to boast about, and that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing.
Preserve us by your powerful intercession from the eternal ruin into which the proud and rebellious angels fell, so that we may one day be permitted to share the glory which you, humblest of saints, are already enjoying a glory granted only to the humble.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, three times.
Supplication as at the Eighth day.
To each of the following answer: *Obtain for us our request
By the singular merits of your childhood *
By your perfect union with God's Will *
By your courageous suffering during your married life *
By the consolation you felt when your husband converted *
By the suffering in your heart when your husband was murdered *
By the sacrifice your your children rather than see them offend God *
By your entrance into the convent *
By your prayers and works of contemplation *
By the pain you suffered *
By the love of God which consumed you *
By the love of the Eucharist *
By the joy you felt to leave your trials to meet God *
By the example you gave to people of every state of life *
Pray for us, St Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Oh God, Who in thy infinite tenderness hast deigned to regard the prayer of thy servant, Blessed Rita, and grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises.
Have pity on our adversity and help us in our calamities that the unbeliever may known You are the reward of the humble, the defence of the helpless and the strength of those who trust in You.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
LITANY OF ST RITA OF CASCIA
Lord have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us
Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us
Christ hear us
Christ graciously hear us
God the Father Who created us
Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of souls
Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, Power, Wisdom and Love, One God
Have mercy on us
Immaculate Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us
Holy Mary, Mother of pure love
Pray for us
Holy Mother, pierced with a sword of grief
Pray for us
Holy Mary, comforter of the afflicted
Pray for us
Holy Mary, Queen of all saints
Pray for us
Holy Mary, protector of St Rita
Pray for us
St Rita, our advocate and protector
Pray for us
St Rita, lover of solitude
Pray for us
St Rita, perfectly united to God's Will
Pray for us
St Rita of untiring patience
Pray for us
St Rita, model of gentleness
Pray for us
St Rita, perfect model for mothers
Pray for us
St Rita, mirror of spouses
Pray for us
St Rita, miracle of fortitutde
Pray for us
St Rita, heroic in sacrifice
Pray for us
St Rita, generous in forgiving
Pray for us
St Rita, courageous in penance
Pray for us
St Rita, example of humility
Pray for us
St Rita, accepting voluntary poverty
Pray for us
St Rita, examplary in widowhood
Pray for us
St Rita, mirror of convent life
Pray for us
St Rita, devoted to Christ
Pray for us
St Rita, sufferer
Pray for us
St Rita, advocate of the impossible
Pray for us
St Rita, advocate of desperate cases,
Pray for us
St Rita, cure for the unfaithful
Pray for us
St Rita, sweet balm for every sorrow,
Pray for us
St Rita, persevering in prayer
Pray for us
St Rita, who knows the way to the heart of Jesus
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Spare us, Oh Lord
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Graciously hear us, Oh Lord
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us St Rita
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray
Oh God, Who deigned to grant to St Rita for imitating You in love the grace of bearing in hear heart and on her forehead the marks of your love and suffering, grant, we pray You, that through her intercession and merits, we may, pierced by compunction, be true to You.
Oh God, Who in Your infinite tenderness has regarded the prayer of Blessed Rita and grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and effort, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on your promises, have pity on our adversity and assist us in our calamities, that the unbeliever may know You are the reward of the humble, the defence of the helpless and the strength of those who trust in You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST RITA TO ASK THE GRACE OF A CURE
Blessed Rit, faithful servant of our divine Lord, refuge of those weighed down through sorrow, I humbly ask your prayers on my behalf.
You whose life from the cradle to the grave was one of continual virtue, interced for me that, through your merits, I may be heard.
you who received many marks of kindness from our crucified Redeemer who allowed you to share His sufferings, you who were so patient and charitable in assisting those on their beds of pain, by your many merits I humbly ask you to look with favour on me in my present need, that, through your powerful intercession, I may regain health of soul and body, if such is God's Will.
Pray at least that I may find comfort in this illness I have been sent, and that I may be resigned until God sees fit to come to my aid.
With full confidence in your advocacy I place myself in your hands, knowing that you will obtain for me what will be for my benefit.
St Rita, Advocate of those in distress, pray for me.
Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette of Luky's devotional Novena book
