Optional Memorial of St. Rita of Cascia, Religious

Brief Background:

Saint Rita of Cascia was born in Italy in 1381 and is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. She desired religious life from a young age but was married instead and became a faithful wife and mother. After the tragic deaths of her husband and sons, Rita later entered the Augustinian convent in Cascia, where she lived a life of prayer, penance, and deep devotion to Christ.

She is especially known for her patience in suffering, forgiveness, and trust in God during difficult circumstances. Near the end of her life, she received a wound on her forehead resembling one of the thorns from Christ’s crown, symbolizing her union with the suffering of Jesus.

St. Rita is the patron saint of impossible causes, difficult marriages, abused women, family problems, widows, healing and reconciliation She is often called the “Saint of the Impossible” because countless people have sought her intercession in situations that seemed hopeless.

REFLECTION:

One of the priests friends of mine and I were having a conversation recently about faith and the world today. At one point in the conversation, we asked each other: “Why does it seem like the world just does not like the Christian faith? Why does it always seem like Christianity takes so much beating?”

You look around today and you see it everywhere. Christianity is mocked online. Catholic values are often ridiculed. Living chastity, forgiveness, humility, or defending the dignity of life can make people call you outdated or judgmental. Sometimes even wearing a cross or speaking openly about Jesus can make people uncomfortable. And if we are honest, sometimes it can make us wonder: Why?

In today’s first reading from Acts, Paul is standing trial. But notice something important: Paul is not on trial because he committed a crime. Festus himself says he found nothing deserving death. The issue was this: Paul kept insisting that Jesus, who died, is alive. That was the problem. The Resurrection was the problem. The world could tolerate many things — philosophy, opinions, even religion — but what disturbed people was the bold claim that Jesus Christ truly rose from the dead and is Lord.

And honestly, that is still the issue today.

The world is comfortable with Jesus as a good teacher. The world is fine with Jesus as a symbol of kindness or love. But the moment Christians proclaim that Jesus is truly Lord, that truth exists, that sin is real, that we are called to conversion, that our lives belong to God — suddenly the world becomes uncomfortable.

Why? Because the Gospel challenges the world. The light exposes darkness. Truth challenges selfishness. Love challenges hatred. Forgiveness challenges pride. The Cross challenges comfort.

Jesus Himself warned His disciples about this. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) Christianity is not hated because Christians are perfect — we know Christians are sinners too. But Christianity is often resisted because the Gospel calls people out of darkness into light, and not everyone wants the light.

Yet here is the beautiful thing about Paul in today’s reading: he is not bitter, afraid, or ashamed. Even in chains, Paul continues to witness to Christ. The prison becomes a pulpit. The trial becomes an opportunity for evangelization. Paul understands something powerful: the Gospel cannot be chained.

And that is the challenge for us today. We may not stand before kings and governors like Paul, but every day we stand before a world that questions our faith. In school, at work, online, among friends — we are constantly asked, sometimes silently: Do you really believe this?

The answer cannot simply be words. It must be our lives.

When Christians continue to love in a hateful world, forgive in a bitter world, remain faithful in a distracted world, defend truth in a confused world, and serve in a selfish world — that becomes our witness.

The early Christians did not change the world through power, popularity, or politics. They changed the world because they truly believed Jesus was alive.

And that is the same question for us today: Do we truly live as though Jesus is alive? Because if Christ is alive, then hope is alive. If Christ is alive, then mercy is alive. If Christ is alive, then no suffering, no hatred, no darkness gets the final word. And perhaps that is exactly why the world struggles with Christianity. Because deep down, the Resurrection changes everything.