Upcoming Events @ the Shrine
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Donut Social with Easter Cards for the Sisters of Saint Rita
Join us on Sunday, February 22, 2026 after the 10:00 a.m. Mass for our monthly donut social! While we enjoy each other’s company, we will write Easter cards of hope and encouragement to the residents and patients of Saint Monica’s Senior Living in Racine, WI, who are cared for by the Sisters of Saint Rita. We hope to see you there!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Lenten Fish Fry
Make plans to join us on Friday, February 27, 2026, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for a Lenten Fish Fry!For $20 per person, you will enjoy a delicious piece of fried fish, three sides, a roll, dessert, and a drink! Help us spread the word! We hope to see you there!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Pathways to Peace - Session I
Join us after the 8:00 a.m. Mass or prior to the 12:00 p.m. Mass
for complimentary coffee and pastries, followed by presentations.
8:00 a.m.: Opportunity to attend Morning Mass
8:30 a.m.: Coffee & Pastries
9:00 a.m.: The Heart & Soul of Health: Empowering Your Mind, Body, & Spirit (First Presentation)
10:15 a.m.: Dealing With Loss, Grief, and Disappointment (Second Presentation)
11:15 a.m.: Wrap-up/Closing
12:00 p.m.: Opportunity to attend Noon Mass
The Heart and Soul of Health: Empowering Your Mind, Body, and Spirit
The true heart and soul of health is having a mind, body, and spirit that are in balance and in harmony. Learn the importance of empowering your mind, body, and spirit and how this can positively impact your overall health. Participants will learn about essential self-care strategies to enhance self-care and how to develop a self-care plan.
Dealing With Loss, Grief, and Disappointment
Experiencing loss, grief, and disappointment can be overwhelming especially in the later years of life. Learn about situations that may lead to these realities and how you can cope with these feelings. Prolonged feelings of loss, grief, and disappointment can lead to depression and/or anxiety if not addressed. Working to enhance one’s resilience may be an effective approach in preparing for life’s unexpected challenges. Participants will have an opportunity to complete an evidence-based resilience assessment to identify your level of resilience and learn how to enhance resilience to help manage these life challenges.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
A Marathon of Mercy: 12 Hours of Confession
Whether it’s been a few days or more than a few years, we invite you to join us on Saturday, March 7, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Lower Shrine Confessionals for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will have six Augustinians (a new priest every two hours) to hear Confessions and serve as conduits of God’s mercy and love. Let nothing be an obstacle to experiencing the mercy and love of God in your life!
Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, pray for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Lenten Fish Fry
Make plans to join us on Friday, February 27, 2026, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for a Lenten Fish Fry!For $20 per person, you will enjoy a delicious piece of fried fish, three sides, a roll, dessert, and a drink! Help us spread the word! We hope to see you there!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Pathways to Peace - Session II
Join us after the 8:00 a.m. Mass or prior to the 12:00 p.m. Mass
for complimentary coffee and pastries, followed by presentations.
8:00 a.m.: Opportunity to attend Morning Mass
8:30 a.m.: Coffee & Pastries
9:00 a.m.: Managing Stress in Everyday Life (First Presentation)
10:15 a.m.: Understanding Depression & Anxiety vs. the Blues (Second Presentation)
11:15 a.m.: Wrap-up/Closing
12:00 p.m.: Opportunity to attend Noon Mass
Managing Stress in Everyday Life
Stress is inevitable part of everyday life. Learning how to manage it is key. This session will present information on positive & negative stress, symptoms of stress and burnout. Participants will have an opportunity to complete a burnout self-assessment & learn how to do stress inventory. Maladaptive & adaptive coping skills will be discussed with a focus on stress reduction strategies & the importance of having a healthy life balance.
Understanding Depression & Anxiety vs. the Blues
We all may have experienced times when we feel blue. How does this differ from depression and anxiety? Learn about causes and symptoms of depression and anxiety and how to manage and cope with this in a positive way at any age during life.
“Go to Him” Week
All are invited to visit a special altar dedicated to Saint Joseph in the vestibule of the Upper Shrine throughout our second annual “Go to Him” week! In addition to lighting candles and asking for Saint Joseph’s intercession, we encourage our patrons to drop off non-perishable food items for us to donate to the Saint Gabriel Food Pantry in the Greys Ferry section of South Philadelphia.
Click here to learn more about the history of the Saint Joseph altar.
Saint Rita and Saint Joseph, keep praying for us!
March Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for our third Healing Mass of this novena cycle on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
During this liturgy, we will pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and everyone present will receive a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Saint Rita Day of Service
Join us on Friday, March 20, 2026 for our third annual Saint Rita Day of Service in honor of our beloved patroness, Rita of Cascia! Groups from throughout the country - schools, businesses, houses of formation, parishes, families and friends - are invited to take up a service project to promote the virtues that defined so much of Saint Rita’s life.
Saint Rita, help of those in need, pray for us!
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Groups and individuals who are interested in participating in the Shrine’s Saint Rita Day of Service should reach out to Mrs. Katie Clymer, the Shrine’s Coordinator of Programs and Pilgrimages.
Once you make your interest known to us, we can help you determine the best type of service for your group in your local community! -
The needs of every community are different, so we encourage you to pick a project that will meet an actual need and help shed light on the marginalized members of our society.
Some suggestions include: having a food drive for a local food pantry, collecting socks or other gently used clothes for a homeless shelter, writing letters to people in prison, collecting trash around your neighborhood, spending time at a local retirement community or home for the aging, or making meals for the homebound.
Whatever you decide to do, we encourage you to do it with great love and care for those whom you serve.
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Saint Rita of Cascia was a remarkable woman of faith who understood the importance of perseverance, hope, and peacemaking in the midst of facing life’s obstacles. Her example of serving her community and promoting the greater good continues to resonate with and impact the lives of devotees around the world over 600 years later.
A national Saint Rita Day of Service not only promotes the life of Saint Rita, but it invites people from around the country to embody these virtues for themselves.
The mission of the Saint Rita Day of Service is to be inspired by the life of Saint Rita in a way that builds a better world for all people.
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Friday, March 20, 2026 was chosen as the date for our third annual Saint Rita Day of Service because it is two months before the Solemn Feast of Saint Rita, giving us an opportunity to begin promoting our beloved patroness with people near and far.
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Our goal for 2026 is simple: Have at least 25 groups from 25 different states participate in our third annual Saint Rita Day of Service! It doesn’t matter the type of group or its affiliation, our goal is to have 25 unique groups from around the country participate in this day.
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To learn more, or to express interest in participating, we invite you to contact Mrs. Katie Clymer, the Shrine’s Coordinator or Programs and Pilgrimages.
Or, you could fill out this form to register your group.
Want to sponsor the Saint Rita Day of Service? Learn more here.
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Stations of the Cross
Join us immediately following the 12:00 p.m. Mass in the Upper Shrine each Friday of Lent for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia as we begin Holy Week for our commemoration of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.
Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. | Saturday Vigil Mass with Solemn Procession
Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Sunday Mass with Solemn Procession
Palms will be distributed at both Masses. Please also note that both our 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass and our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass will begin in the plaza outside the Cascia Center (or inside the Upper Shrine vestibule if it is raining). We will then process together into the Shrine, utilizing the side doors, front doors, and elevator. If you would prefer to stay in the church and not be a part of the procession, you will still be able to hear the Gospel reading and opening prayer, but you will not see the procession until it reaches the Shrine.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Ash Wednesday
We invite you to make plans to join us for Mass on Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the beginning of the season of Lent.
Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, pray for us!
Presidents’ Day Schedule
In observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 16, 2026, the Shrine will close after the 12:00 p.m. daily Mass. There will be no 4:00 p.m. Confessions on Monday, February 16, 2026. Our sacramental schedule for the day will be:
8:00 a.m. Mass (Lower Shrine Chapel)
10:45 a.m. Confessions (Lower Shrine)
12:00 p.m. Mass (Upper Shrine)
Please also note that the Shrine Office and Gift Shop will also close early on Monday, February 16, 2026.
We will reopen for our normal hours on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Have a blessed and happy Presidents’ Day!
February Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for the sixth Healing Mass of our novena cycle on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
During this liturgy, we will pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and everyone present will receive a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Schedule
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Shrine will celebrate only one Mass at 9:00 a.m. in the Lower Shrine Chapel. The Shrine will close immediately after Mass and will reopen for our normal hours on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. There will be no Confessions on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Please note that the Shrine Office and Gift Shop will also be closed Monday, January 19, 2026 in observance of the holiday.
Have a blessed and happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend!
January Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for the fifth Healing Mass of this novena cycle on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Fr. Joseph Narog, O.S.A., the pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish in Villanova, PA will serve as our celebrant and homilist.
During this liturgy, we will pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and everyone present will receive a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
The Baptism of the Lord
We invite you to join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord on
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
The Epiphany of the Lord
We invite you to join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Christmas, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, a holy day of obligation:
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Holy Day Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Holy Mary, Mother of pure love, pray for us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Christmas, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph:
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
2025 Christmas Novena
The lay staff and Augustinian friars at the Shrine offer gratitude and thanks to God for the many individuals and families who have chosen to accompany us throughout this past year and who remind us of God’s presence along the way. As an expression of our heartfelt gratitude for your support, we will offer a Novena of Masses for you and your loved ones during this Christmas Season. Our annual Christmas Novena will begin on Christmas Day and will conclude on Friday, January 2, 2026, the Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.
If you would like to enroll your loved ones in our annual Christmas Novena, please call the Shrine Office at 215-546-8333, or visit our donation portal and include the names of your loved ones in the “comment” section.
We look forward to praying for and with you throughout this powerful period of intercession.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
The Nativity of the Lord
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Christmas, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Nativity of the Lord:
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Feast Day Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Dear God,
In the darkness of the virgin's womb the holy child grows. In the darkness of the world's pain, the blessed light begins to kindle. In the darkness of our own doubting of You and of ourselves, the great hope begins to rise again like a lump in the throat: the hope that You will come to us truly, that the child will be born again in our midst, the Prince of Peace in a world at war, the hope that You will ransom us and our world from the darkness that seeks to destroy us.
O Lord, the gift of new life, new light, can be a gift truly only if we open ourselves to receive it. So this is our prayer, Lord: that You will open our eyes to see Your glory in the coming again of light each day, open our ears to hear the angels hymn in the stirring within us of joy at the coming of the child, open our hearts to the transforming power of Your love as it comes to us through the love of all those who hold us most dear and have sacrificed most for us.
Be born among us that we may ourselves be born. Be born within us that by words and deeds of love we may bear the tidings of Your birth to a world that dies for lack of love. We ask it in the child's name.
Amen.
Advent Book Club
Join us for our final book club meeting of Advent 2025!
If you’re interested in learning more, contact Donna in the Shrine Office.
Copies of the book are available for sale through the link below.
December Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for our fourth Healing Mass of this novena cycle on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A., Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Villanova University, will serve as the celebrant and homilist. During this liturgy, we will pray for Saint Rita’s healing intercession, and everyone present will receive a special blessing with Saint Rita oil. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Fourth Sunday of Advent
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Advent season, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Advent:
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Healing Mass | 12:00 p.m.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day;
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
A Visit from Santa Claus
You and your family are invited to join us on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for a visit with Santa Claus. As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, we will have an opportunity for families to meet Santa, enjoy cookies and cocoa, do some crafts, watch a holiday movie, and ring in the Christmas season! All are welcome to join us for this afternoon of fun and cheer!
Saint Nicholas and Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Advent Book Club
If you’re interested in learning more, contact Donna in the Shrine Office.
Copies of the book are available for sale through the link below.
Third Sunday of Advent
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Advent season, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Third Sunday of Advent:
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day;
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
A Marathon of Mercy: 12.5 Hours of Confession
Whether it’s been a few days or more than a few years, we invite you to join us on Saturday, December 13, 2025, between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. in the Lower Shrine Confessionals for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will have six Augustinians (a new priest every two hours) to hear Confessions and serve as conduits of God’s mercy and love. Let nothing be an obstacle to experiencing the mercy and love of God in your life!
Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, pray for us!
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
You’re invited to join us for Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday, December 12, 2025! After the 12:00 p.m. daily Mass, we will have a procession from the Upper Shrine to the beautiful statue of Our Lady in the Breezeway, where we will offer a special blessing. All are welcome to join us for this special feast day as we honor the Patroness of the Americas and the unborn.
Saints Rita and Juan Diego, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Advent Book Club
If you’re interested in learning more, contact Donna in the Shrine Office.
Copies of the book are available for sale through the link below.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Don’t forget that Monday, December 8, 2025 is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and have three opportunities to attend Mass in the Upper Shrine:
8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., & 5:30 p.m.
Holy Mary, model of life for Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Second Sunday of Advent
If you’re looking for a place to worship this Advent season, we would be honored to have you join us at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia for our celebration of the Second Sunday of Advent:
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day;
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We invite you to join us every Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you stay for a few moments, or you commit to a full hour, please prayerfully consider stopping by the Lower Shrine Chapel. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
The Light is On for You
We’re leaving the light on for you!
You are invited to stop by the Shrine on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just to sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord as we prepare for the Christmas season.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
#iGiveCatholic Day of Giving
Light plays a powerful role in every act of faith. It helps us to see clearly and focus in prayer, it dispels the darkness around us, and reminds us of God's presence in our daily lives.
In the Upper Shrine, new lighting is needed to illuminate the mural in the apse behind the altar. This mural depicts Saint Rita, surrounded by the communion of saints, being received into heaven with joy. For 119 years, patrons and visitors have gazed upon the beauty of this image, whose vibrant colors and intricate details reflect the devotion and skill of the Italian and Irish immigrants who painted it in 1907. As a signature element of the Shrine's sacred art since its founding, it deserves to be seen in all its glory!
At the same time, the Lower Shrine is in need of new circuit boards for our lighting system. Home to our Saints’ Grotto, Adoration Chapel, and Confessionals, the Lower Shrine serves as a spiritual oasis and place of quiet reflection for countless visitors every day. New circuit boards will allow us to use LED light bulbs, making each of these sacred spaces more welcoming and prayerful for all who visit.
As we continue to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Saint Rita's canonization, these two projects will help us shine a light on our beloved patroness and her inspiring story in a meaningful way. By restoring and enhancing the lighting throughout the Shrine, we will help every visitor experience Saint Rita’s message of faith, peace, and perseverance more vividly than ever before.
To learn more about our 2025 Giving Tuesday appeal and to make a donation, visit our #iGiveCatholic page.