MAY 22, FEAST OF ST. RITA OF CASCIA
If by chance you did not know St. Rita before today, be sure to dedicate a few minutes to learning about her amazing life through this link: St. Rita of Cascia, Peacemaker | Franciscan Media
I’ve visited her shrine in Cascia and it is definitely worth a side trip if this Umbrian town is not on your Italian itinerary. Here is a Vatican media photo of the tomb with her incorrupt body where pilgrims venerate and pray to her.
A prayer to St. Rita, patronness of helpless causes: “O powerful St. Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need. You know well my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my help, speak for me, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father.”
Her body was brought to Rome in May of the 2000 Holy Year, the centenary of her canonization. Here is a link to the speech of Pope John Paul on May 20, 2000 to the pilgrims in town for the Jubilee and commemoration of St. Rita (and 2 days after his 80th birthday!): To the pilgrims gathered to venerate Saint Rita of Cascia and to the Cavalieri del Lavoro (May 20, 2000) | John Paul II (vatican.va)
POPE FRANCIS TO SPEND 5 DAYS IN PORTUGAL FOR WYD
The Vatican announced today that Pope Francis will be in Lisbon, Portugal for the 2023 World Youth Day from August 2 to 6, including a side trip to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on August 5.
Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said, “”On the occasion of the next World Youth Day, and accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesial authorities of Portugal, His Holiness Pope Francis will travel to Lisbon from 2-6 August of this year, making a visit to the Shrine of Fatima on 5 August.”
Pope Francis previously visited Fatima May 12 and 13, 2017 on the centenary of the apparitions to the three young Portuguese children.
Joan's Rome 