Upcoming Events @ the Shrine
An Evening of Sacred Music
Join us on Monday of Holy Week, Monday, April 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Shrine for an evening of Sacred Music. Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber’s "Rosary Sonata" will be played on the cello, with hymns for Holy Week offered by the choir and visiting soloists. All are welcome to attend as we enter ever more deeply into the Paschal Mystery.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Pray Your Way Tuesday
The Upper and Lower Shrines will stay open late on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 for anyone who desires a space for personal prayer, silence, meditation, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the midst of Holy Week. All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Don’t forget that Thursday, May 29, 2025 is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, and will offer three opportunities to attend Mass at the Shrine:
8:00 a.m. Mass
12:00 p.m. Mass
5:30 p.m. Mass
Open Choir Auditions
If you or someone you know would be interested in joining the Shrine’s choir, we invite you to audition on Sunday, April 6, 2025, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Lower Shrine Chapel. We are inviting musicians and vocalists from throughout South Philadelphia to stop by as we begin to expand our choir.
Each person will meet with Brooklyn McLaury Evangelista, our Director of Sacred Music, for roughly five minutes, so if interested, please come prepared to sing or play a piece of liturgical music, and bring a copy of the music for Brooklyn to accompany on the keyboard.
Help us spread the word to friends, family, coworkers, and other members of the community. All are welcome to audition!
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, April 5, 2025, 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!
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:
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
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 28, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Sunday Mass | 10:00 a.m.
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:
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
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.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
You’re invited to join us for Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, December 12, 2024! 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!
A Visit from Santa Claus
You and your family are invited to join us on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 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!
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Even though the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is not a Holy Day of Obligation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia this year, we have three opportunities to attend Mass at the Shrine:
8:00 a.m. Mass (in the Lower Shrine Chapel)
12:00 p.m. Mass (in the Upper Shrine)
5:30 p.m. Mass (in the Lower Shrine Chapel)
Holy Mary, model of life for Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Lessons & Carols for Hope
Save the date!
You and your loved ones are invited to join us for a special evening of Lessons & Carols on Saturday, December 7, 2024 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visiting choirs and musicians from around Philadelphia will join us for this event of the season as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas and pray for peace in our world, our city, and our hearts. We hope that you will make plans to join us!
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 4, 2024, 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!
Solemnity of All Saints
Don’t forget that Friday, November 1, 2024, is the Solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation. Our sacramental schedule for the day includes:
8:00 a.m. Mass (in the Lower Shrine Chapel)
10:45 a.m. Confessions (in the Lower Shrine)
12:00 p.m. Mass (in the Upper Shrine)
4:00 p.m. Confessions (in the Lower Shrine)
5:30 p.m. Mass (in the Lower Shrine Chapel)
All you holy Saints of God, keep praying for us!
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Women's Conference
Join Catholic women from the greater Philadelphia area for a day of fun, friendship, faith formation, and prayer at the 2024 Catholic Women’s Conference. This year’s theme is “The Joys of Womanhood, Sacred, Beloved, & Beautiful.” Throughout the day, the focus will be how women are daughters of God with unique gifts that, when cultivated, will bring joy to themselves and others. The Shrine will also be sponsoring a table at the conference! So, consider joining us on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. Tracks are available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Early sellout is expected.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Don’t forget that Thursday, August 15, 2024 is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and have three opportunities to attend Mass at the Shrine:
8:00 a.m. Mass (Lower Shrine Chapel)
12:00 p.m. Mass (Upper Shrine)
5:30 p.m. Mass (Lower Shrine Chapel)
Safe Environment Clearance Event
All liturgical ministers and volunteers at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia over the age of 18 are required to obtain three background checks: the PA State Police Criminal Background Check, the FBI Federal Fingerprint Background Check, and the PA Child Abuse History Clearance.
To help facilitate this process, the Shrine is hosting a “Safe Environment Clearance” event on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, between 12:45 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the Cascia Center. If you have any questions, please contact the Shrine Office. We hope to see you there!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Altar Server Training
Have you ever dreamed of donning a cassock and surplice to serve at the altar during Mass? Maybe you are a father-son duo or a mother-daughter team? A single person, a retired couple, or a family of four? If you would be interested in learning how to altar serve, and have received your First Holy Communion, we invite you to join us on Sunday, August 11, 2204, after the 10:00 a.m. Mass for an introductory training session.
Becoming an altar server will put you right next to the action, helping you to learn more about our Catholic faith, celebrate the Mass with more intention, and share your gifts with our community. Previous experience is not required, but an openness to learning about this vital ministry is! If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of the Friars before or after Mass. We hope to see you there!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
May Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for our final Healing Mass of this novena cycle on Sunday, May 19, 2024 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. Fr. Art Purcaro, O.S.A., Assistant Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University, will be the presider and homilist. We hope that you will be able to join us!
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 every Wednesday of Advent, between 6:00 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!
The Light is On for You
We’re leaving the light on for you!
You are invited to stop by the Shrine every Wednesday of Advent, between 6:00 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!
November Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for our next Healing Mass on Sunday, November 19, 2023 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. Fr. Joe Genito, O.S.A., the pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish in Villanova, PA will be the celebrant and homilist. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Racial Healing Retreat
As part of the Shrine’s ongoing commitment to healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking, we will be hosting a retreat morning with members of the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing on Saturday, August 12, 2023 between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in the Cascia Center. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
More information will be posted in the coming weeks. Please check back.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
April Healing Mass
Do you find yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, or emotionally burdened?
We invite you to join us for our next Healing Mass on Sunday, April 16, 2023 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. Fr. Rob Hagan, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, will be the presider and homilist. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Protecting God’s Children for Adults
In collaboration with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Child and Youth Protection, the Shrine will host a "Protecting God's Children for Adults" training session on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Cascia Center. All are welcome to attend!
To learn more and pre-register, visit: www.virtusonline.org
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 every Wednesday of Lent, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord on their Lenten journey as we look to prepare for the Easter season.
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
A.D.R.O.P. Health Promotion Clinic
Stop by the Cascia Center on Saturday, April 1, 2023 between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for a health promotion clinic. Legal services, health aids, and other resources will be available free of charge to anyone looking for assistance. This service is provided in collaboration with the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor (A.D.R.O.P.). More information will be shared as we get closer to the event.
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 every Wednesday of Lent, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord on their Lenten journey as we look to prepare for the Easter season.
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 every Wednesday of Lent, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord on their Lenten journey as we look to prepare for the Easter season.
Saint Rita, 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 next Healing Mass on Sunday, March 19, 2023 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. Fr. Joseph Genito, O.S.A., former Shrine Director will be the presider and homilist. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Tagged: Catholic, CatholicChurch, Shrine, SaintRita, Philadelphia, SouthPhiladelphia, SouthPhilly, Prayer, Healing, Augustinian, Blessing, Novena, HealingMass
The Light is On for You
We’re leaving the light on for you!
You are invited to stop by the Shrine every Wednesday of Lent, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord on their Lenten journey as we look to prepare for the Easter season.
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 every Wednesday of Lent, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for personal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an opportunity to speak with a priest, or just sit in silence. This is open to everyone who might need a few extra moments with the Lord on their Lenten journey as we look to prepare for the Easter season.