The month of May, for us Augustinians and for many devotees in Malta and around the world, is closely associated with the figure of the Augustinian nun, Saint Rita of Cascia. She is a saint who is deeply loved by many devotees who flock to our churches, particularly our churches in Valletta and Rabat, Gozo, which throughout the years have become National Centres of devotion to the saint.
The different experiences that life presented to Saint Rita made her a figure who strongly appeals to many people, even in our times. In every state of life she lived — as a young woman, wife, mother, widow, and Augustinian nun — she lived the Christian virtues in a heroic manner, particularly love, forgiveness, faith, and total openness to the will of God.
The feast of Saint Rita was celebrated in recent days in all our churches, but on the day of her Liturgical Feast, namely the 22nd of May, the celebrations focused on the churches in Valletta and Rabat, Gozo, where a pilgrimage with the devotional statue of the saint was also held. During these special days and throughout all the organised celebrations, many devotees turned to the intercession of the Saint of the Impossible, carrying the burdens of their lives. The feast at the Chapel of Saint Rita in St Julian’s will be celebrated on Saturday, 6th June.
Meanwhile, the figure of Saint Rita continues to be one of the most beautiful inspirations of holiness, drawing many people towards God as they find in her a sign of hope. May she also continue to be an inspiration for all the religious friars who today live the same spirit that she lived in Augustinian consecrated life.
Photos: Maltese Augustinian Province , David Aquilina
