Upcoming Events @ the Shrine
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!
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.
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 21, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 22, 2024
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!
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 14, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 2024
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!
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 7, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2024
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!
First 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 First Sunday of Advent:
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Vigil Mass | 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
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!
Thanksgiving Day Schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 28, 2024, 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 Friday, November 29, 2024. There will be no Confessions on Thanksgiving Day, and no 4:00 p.m. Confessions on Friday, November 29, 2024.
Please also note that the Shrine Office and Gift Shop will close at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 and will remain closed until they reopen for normal business hours on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
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!
February 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, February 18, 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. We hope that you will be able to join us!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
December 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, December 17, 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. We hope that you will be able to join us!
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!