St. Rita of Cascia lived a life of disappointment and pain, yet never lost faith. She wanted to remain a virgin but her parents arranged a marriage for her to a man who was abusive and unfaithful. They had twin sons, and Rita's prayers were answered when her husband repented before his died of stab wounds. Not long afterwards, the two boys died of natural causes. Rita then applied to the Augustinian Nuns in Cascia, but was refused because some of the nuns in the convent were related to her husband's murderers. She persisted and was finally admitted and pursued a life of penance and prayer. She had had great devotion to the Passion of Jesus from her youth and one day asked if she could participate in it. She was given an open wound in the forehead similar to a wound caused by the crown of thorns and suffered severely from it for 15 years, never complaining. Her last four years we marked by illness and more pain, yet again, her faith and capacity to love increased. She died in 1457.
So many people lead lives of "quiet desperation" yet do not have the faith and ability to love and forgive as did Rita. She discovered that the greatest gift we have is the ability to love, and like St. Therese of Lisieux, devoted the whole strength of her being to love and found strength to bear with all these difficulties. To love is to experience God, for God is love and makes all things possible.
Bro. Rene
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