Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Day 3

10 min

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Rita, faithful spouse, devoted mother, and patient widow, you embraced every cross with love for the crucified Lord. As I begin this novena, obtain for me a heart that trusts God in the darkest hour. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: Forgiveness of enemies

When her husband was murdered, St. Rita did not cry out for justice but forgave his killers and begged God to spare her sons from the bitter inheritance of vengeance. Like Christ upon the Cross, she answered violence with pardon. She shows us that the long chain of hatred is broken in only one way: by mercy freely given, even to those who least deserve it.

O merciful St. Rita, who forgave the men who slew your husband, soften my heart toward all who have wronged me. Help me to forgive as Christ forgave, breaking the chain of hatred with the freedom of love. Amen.

Today's intention:

For the grace to forgive those who have wronged me.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom 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 us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst 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.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

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.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

O St. Rita, advocate of impossible causes, present my petitions before the throne of God. By the wound you bore from the crown of thorns, teach me to suffer with patience and to forgive without measure, until I rejoice with you in heaven. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.