As “Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope” the Residents of Holy Family Home accompanied by the Sisters, Staff and Jeanne Jugan Associates, and Volunteers recently visited the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
We need not have been concerned as to handicap accommodations! The building originally completed in 1915 has been renovated several times over the years and includes easy access to elevators for all who wish to use them.
In 2004 the Shrine was awarded the prestigious honor of being “twinned” to the Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia in Italy. The magnificent Rococo – Late Baroque architecture literally took my breath away as we entered the Church.
The prominent pink color used along with other shades seems to replicate the sense of warmth and gentleness used in mansions and churches built across Europe during the 18th century.(The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, n.d.)
“Wow!” I thought I had whispered to myself until another visitor replied, “this must be your first visit!”
In November 1906, the Augustinians of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova were invited by the Archbishop of Philadelphia, the Most Reverend Patrick Ryan, to establish a new parish in the southern part of the city to “address the spiritual, social, and educational needs of diverse immigrant families of the neighborhood, and by March of 1907 Mass was being celebrated in a former stable. In light of canonization of St. Rita in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII the church on Broad Street was named in her honor. After receiving a generous donation from Mr. Lucas Burke, the construction continued for eight years under the direction of architect George Lovatt.” His design was adapted from the first Baroque churches in Rome utilizing Italian mosaic flooring and an imported marble altar that stretches over 32 feet in height.” . (The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, n.d.)
Our speaker and guide told us that that “ two inch Italian mosaic floor tiles may be a little uneven because the tiles were laid by hand.”
Katie, our Tour Guide, continued with a thumbnail and narrative of the events of St. Rita of Cascia’s life depicted on the walls of the Church. It took several requests before St. Rita succeeded at the age of 36 after the death of her husband and two sons in being admitted to the convent of the Augustinian Order in Cascia where she remained until her death at 76 years of age on May 22, 1457.
Margherita, who came to be known affectionately as “Rita,” – the short form of her baptismal name, was born in 1381 in a suburb of Cascia in Umbria, Italy. St. Rita was canonized by Pope Leo XIII who proclaimed her “The Precious Pearl of Umbria” on May 24, 1900. And as we know, Pope Leo XIV also an Augustinian was elected as the First American Pope on May 8, 2025. . (The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, n.d.)
During her talk, our Guide, Katie said “it’s not true,” referencing the widely-held belief that St. Rita was a “long-suffering and even abused wife.” The Catholic Travel Guide cites Father Michael DiGregorio, a well-known Augustinian author who discounts the widely-held belief and captures St. Rita’s true story in his book: “The Precious Peal – the Story of St. Rita of Cascia.”
The Catholic Travel Guide also cites “the fact that the story is rooted in a tradition now known to be erroneously based as well as inconsistent with other details of Rita’s story” A poetic inscription in her casket darkened by devotional candle smoke obscured the actual words. During the 20th century when the nuns of Cascia had St. Rita’s casket cleaned and restored the actual wording was revealed, and they discovered that the context referred to the fierce wound of Rita’s thorn – a different kind of suffering. (The Catholic Travel Guide, 2025). Perhaps, Rita’s cherished husband’s reputation will one day be fully restored!
In the 1990s when the parish was in danger of closing the strong faith of this community emerged and an initiative to revitalize began and gained widespread support. With a newsletter to just 600 people a steady, intentional effort to renew devotion to Saint Rita among local, regional and national patrons began to come to fruition, and by 2003 the Bishops of the United States designated the church as the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia. (The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, n.d.)
This inspiring mural by Artist Anthony Visco spans an entire wall in the Lower Church and depicts some of St. Rita’s miracles. (Visco, Anthony, n.d.) In the foreground are weapons laid down alongside people of various nationalities coming together in harmony – representing the peace St. Rita continually sought.
Takeaways? You may ask! A renewed sense of wonder and awe of our Catholic Traditions and an ardent desire to learn more. Our “Pilgrim’s Passport” enables us to continue our spiritual journey to two additional “Sacred Jubilee Sites” throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and the National Shrine of St. John Neumann.
St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!
References
Augustinian Vocations of North America (2024) The Story of Saint Rita
The Catholic Travel Guide (2025) Home – The Catholic Travel Guide
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, (n.d.) Baroque architecture | Definition, Characteristics, & Facts | Britannica
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova (n.d.) The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
Visco, Anthony Artist (n.d.) Catholic Art Workshops | Anthony Visco / Artist | Philadelphia
Click here to read Barbara Mahler’s original reflection
