Upcoming Events @ the Shrine
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, April 12, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. | Saturday Vigil Mass with Solemn Procession
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 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!
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!
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia as we begin the Sacred Paschal Triduum on Holy Thursday with our commemoration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
With this Mass, celebrated in the evening of the Thursday in Holy Week, the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes herself to the remembrance of the Last Supper. At the supper on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus, loving those who were his own in the world even to the end, offered his Body and Blood to the Father under the appearance of bread and wine, gave them to the apostles to eat and drink, then enjoined the apostles and their successors in the priesthood to offer them in turn.
This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist, that is, of the Memorial of the Lord's Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law. The Mass of the Lord's Supper is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood, by which Christ's mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world. In addition, this Mass is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death. To learn more, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website.
**The Shrine’s altar of repose will be available in the Cascia Center for private prayer and solemn adoration until 11:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Join us at 3:00 p.m. in the Upper Shrine on Good Friday for the Stations of the Cross.
All are welcome!
Saint Rita, keep praying for us!
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
Friday, April 18, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia on Good Friday for our commemoration of the Lord’s Passion.
On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches,' in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord. To learn more about Good Friday, visit this article by Catholic News Agency.
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 8:00 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
We invite you to join the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia on Holy Saturday for our celebration of the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter.
On this holy night, the Church keeps watch, celebrating the resurrection of Christ in the sacraments and awaiting his return in glory. It is the turning point of the Triduum, the Passover of the new covenant, which marks Christ's passage from death to life. Therefore, the Easter Vigil does not correspond to the usual Saturday evening Mass and its character is unique in the cycle of the liturgical year. To learn more, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website.
**The Easter Vigil Mass will begin in the Cascia Center plaza at 8:00 p.m.
April 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, April 27, 2025 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!
Mother's Day Novena
Looking for a special way to honor your mother and other mother-like figures in your life? We invite you to join us in prayer for our annual Mother’s Day Novena, Sunday, May 11, 2025 through Monday, May 19, 2025!
If you would like to enroll your loved ones in our annual Mother’s Day 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.
Holy Mary, Mother of pure love, pray for us!
May 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, May 18, 2025 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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
Holy Hour + Happy Hour with America Media
We invite you to make plans to join us on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for our next evening of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and fellowship. After Adoration, we will have a happy hour in the Cascia Center sponsored by Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis, the hosts of America Media’s Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics, who will lead a discussion entitled, “How to talk to your friends about your #faith.” All are welcome to experience this special time of prayer and fellowship! We hope to see you there!
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!
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!
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 16, 2025 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!
“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 inaugural “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!
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!
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!
Ash Wednesday
We invite you to make plans to join us for Mass on Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the beginning of the season of Lent.
We will have Mass with the distribution of Ashes at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. in the Upper Shrine.
Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, 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!
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!
Presidents’ Day Schedule
In observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Shrine will close after the 12:00 p.m. daily Mass. There will be no 4:00 p.m. Confessions on Monday, February 17, 2025. 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 17, 2025.
We will reopen for our normal hours on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.