Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Day 7

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 7: Hidden penance and prayer

For some forty years in the cloister St. Rita lived in fasting, vigil, and unceasing prayer, tending the sick sisters and bearing her hidden wound without a word of complaint. Her days were poor in event but rich in love. She reminds us that the holiest lives are often the least seen, and that God rewards the faithfulness hidden from every eye but His.

O hidden St. Rita, faithful through long years of silent prayer and penance, teach me to serve God in the small, unseen duties of each day, content that He alone beholds and rewards what is done for love of Him. Amen.

Today's intention:

For fidelity in the small, unseen duties of each day.

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.