St. Rita Peacemaker Fall 2014

The

Fall 2014

PEACEMAKER NATIONAL SHRINE SAINT RITA

OF

CASCIA

THE PEACEMAKER

Fall, 2014 Publication of the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Director: Fr. Joseph Genito, O.S.A.

Development Director, Editor: Deborah Binder, M.Ed. Photographer: Fr. Daniel McLaughlin, O.S.A.

Layout: accent communications, inc., Phila. PA Printer: Gerald O’Neill, Fast Forms

Contact us for a free subscription National Shrine of St. Rita 1166 So. Broad St., Phila. PA 19146 215-546-8333

WWW.SAINTRITASHRINE.ORG

ritashrine@aol.com

Shrine Hours of Operation: Weekdays: 7:30 AM - 5:25 PM Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Masses: Weekday: 8 AM, 12 PM Wednesday: 8 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM Novena after all Masses on Wed. Saturday: 8 AM, 12 Noon, 5 PM Sunday: 9 AM, 11 AM Masses

Confessions: Monday-Saturday Eucharistic Adoration: Daily

SHRINE BOARD MEMBERS: Fr. Joseph Genito, O.S.A. Executive Director Edward Caruso Louis Cinquanto Anthony DeCarlo Fr. John Deegan, O.S.A. Dina DellaDucata Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. Ron Donatucci John Grogan Dominic Liberi Judge Timothy Rice 2

ISSUE THEME:

“PERSISTENCE & FAITH”

ST. AUGUSTINE, FROM SERMON 157 “The truth is, without patience

amid the troubles and trials of this

life, hope in the future life cannot be kept alive. You cannot maintain unflagging patience unless you are meek and mild, never

resisting God’s will. Indeed, by

being meek and mild you will not

only love his consolations, you will also bear up under his discipline.

Continuing to hope for what you cannot yet experience, you will

wait for it patiently.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the Shrine Director

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Fr. Michael, Our New Provincial

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Article, Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. 6 2015 Pilgrimage to Italy

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Annual St. Rita Peace Award

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Your Word To Us

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2014 Novena & Feast Day Pictorial 12 Article, Fr. Mike Scuderi, O.S.A.

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Cascia Center Project

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Plan a Pilgrim Retreat

St. Rita Shrine Development

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Cover: St. Rita Church Stained Glass Window St. Rita, St. Augustine, St. John the Baptist & St. Nicolas of Tolentino at the Monastery Door Back: St. Rita Church Stained Glass Window St. Rita in prayer

WORDS from FATHER JOE DEAR FRIENDS OF THE SHRINE,

Like us, Saint Rita had to face trials and obstacles in everyday life. As a woman of deep faith, however, she recognized that she was never alone. Despite trying circumstances, she persevered in appealing for God’s help. We should remember that she had to wait for results of her prayers. She always trusted God’s plan and accepted what eventually happened. The many pilgrims who visit her Shrine during the Novena and Feast in May bring their similar needs, their heartaches, their trials. All face the same challenge of waiting for results according to God’s plan. Saint Rita offers hope to those whose faith is tested, her example encourages them to persevere.

In her quest to join the convent of Augustinian nuns, Saint Rita was refused entrance three times, and each time she appealed to God for guidance and assistance. When she learned that something further needed to be done, she addressed it.

Not giving in to discouragement and enduring the test of time, she eventually prevailed. If the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome, the definition of perseverance must be to change one’s expectations and try another tactic.

This is what Saint Rita did; it’s her example that inspires us to pursue our goal of the Cascia Center by a different means. With each failure there is something to be learned, suggesting that another course may be more helpful, possibly more beneficial in the long run.

The ongoing saga of the building project has taken yet another unanticipated turn, and soon we hope to

announce an exciting new venture which was unforeseen a few years ago. This requires patience, as we are taking the initial steps toward realizing this goal, but with the help of God and of a few generous souls who are guiding us, we anticipate a result worth the wait. We hope to make an announcement in the nottoo-distant future that the Cascia Center will be completed, but in a way we had not predicted, and that we can finally celebrate the amazing and exemplary gifts of Saint Rita – her ultimate triumph over violence and vengeance through persistence and faith – as we begin our mission in service to the neighborhood, the city and beyond.

Fr. Joseph A. Genito, O.S.A. Shrine Director

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A

NEW View FROM

His Window

Congratulations Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. Newly Elected Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova Province

On Monday night, June 16, 2014, Fr. Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A., the founding Rector of the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, was installed as the Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova Augustinians. Fr. Michael’s installation Mass took place at the St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel in Villanova, PA, during the week of the Province Chapter, a large gathering time for the Augustinians of the Province that occurs every four years. In attendance

A l o n g history WITH THE AUGUSTINIANS

AND A deep devotion TO ST. RITA

for the Mass was the new Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Fr. Alejandro Moral, O.S.A. who was in from Rome, and Bishop DiSimone and Bishop Fitzgerald of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, both of whom have a long history with the Augustinians and a deep devotion to St. Rita. The congregation for this special celebration included friends of the Augustinian Friars of the Villanova Province, and the family and friends of Fr. Michael, from near and far.

Immediately following the official proclamation during the installation Mass of Fr. Michael, as the canonically elected Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, the new Provincial made a Profession of Faith and an Oath of Fidelity to confirm his belief in the teachings of the Catholic Church. After the Mass, a reception was held at the Connelly Center on Villanova’s Campus for Fr. Michael. The photo here shows Fr. Michael enjoying time with his mother and one of his sisters. May God bless you Fr. Michael, in your new leadership position as Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova!

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Fr. Michael with mother & sister at reception

AN

OLD View

We Remember Fr. Michael When…

2004

2000

2007 2002

2001

2006 2000, With pilgrims & Fr. Jim at Shrine 2001, In beret, one year as Shrine Rector 2002, With NY Cardinal pilgrim at Shrine

2004, Cascia & Phila. ‘Shrine Twinning’ 2006, Art installation in Shrine with pilgrims 2007, 1st Annual St. Rita Peace Award

Fr. Michael F. Di Gregorio, O.S.A. was stationed at St. Rita’s from 1991-2007

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VIEW FROM MY HEART BY FR. MICHAEL DI GREGORIO, O.S.A .

PAST closed DOORS WIDOWED

BY THE TRAGIC MURDER of her

husband, and left alone shortly thereafter by the deaths of her two teenage sons, Rita felt the call of God to embrace religious life. It was the reawakening of an intuition she had first felt as a young girl, but which through obedience to her parents—and therefore to God, she sincerely believed—she embraced married life. Rita was already familiar with the St. Mary

Could Rita have been mistaken, after all? The call of God had seemed so strong, to her.

She returned to prayer, attempting to be as open and disposed to divine inspiration, as well as to the reason for the nuns’ objection. But her prayer made her only more convinced that God was calling her to the Augustinian way of life. Years earlier

THE c a l l OF God HAD SEEMED SO STRONG, TO HER

Magdalene Monastery, one of the three Monasteries in Cascia at the time, through her many visits to one of her relatives there from the time she was a young girl.

As she prayed over her decision she became quite sure that this was what God was asking of her. She was quite surprised when the nuns denied her request for admission. They regretted having to refuse her, but the circumstances surrounding Fernando’s death were alarming to the small community of women. They could not tempt the peace of the monastery.

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she had accepted the choice of her parents, against her own desire, and embraced married life. At that time she felt sure that others were manifesting God’s plan to her. This time it was different.

Back to the monastery she went to ask a second time, and a second time she was disappointed. What was it about her husband’s murder that made them fearful of Rita’s presence? Could it have been that a relative of Fernando’s assassin was a member of the monastery community? Would the entrance of

Rita, then, be a constant and festering reminder of the animosity between two families? But Rita had already forgiven the murderer; why would she hold bitterness toward someone related to him?

Again she went to prayer, but this time it was not so much to discern God’s design as it was to understand the nuns’ position and to determine how to convince them of the authenticity of her call.

Armed with persuasive words about the peace that filled her heart, she approached the door of the monastery a third time. Certainly the nuns would have looked upon her persistence as an indication of the depth of her desire.

Their answer was the same. What more was there to do, to say!

bring about the divine plan? If the hesitancy of the nuns could not be dispelled by Rita’s own word concerning her personal act of forgiveness, perhaps it would be dissolved by a concrete sign of reconciliation. Rita’s gentle spirit, by no means weakened by the triple tragedy of the untimely death that had claimed her loved ones, touched the hearts of the two families long at war.

By example, prayer and encouragement she brought together in an embrace of peace the family of her beloved Fernando and the rivals who had deprived her of his presence. More than an embrace, however; a written pledge of a feud forever dissolved, and of peace secured. The embrace was memorialized in a fresco on the wall Rita thought she St. Rita is accepted in St. Mary Magdalene of St. Francis must now flood Monastery, stained glass window, St. Rita Church in Cascia; heaven with her Shrine, Phila. PA the pledge was prayers that the brought to the nuns barred door of the monastery might of the monastery.

The doors were be opened to her—a seemingly unbarred and a new life for Rita impossible task, but not for God. She began. enlisted the aid of three patrons to

whom she was especially devoted, St. John the Baptist, St. Augustine, and Blessed Nicholas of Tolentino [issue cover photo]. Was it their prayers that awakened in Rita the place of a thoroughly human act to

Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A. began the “The Peacemaker” over 20 years ago. We have a vast collection of his writings on St. Rita and other Augustinian Saints. We will be re-printing some of his reflections.

This selection was from Jan/Feb 1999.

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2015 Pilgrimage FROM St. Rita Shrine Italy: Rita & Beyond

11 Day Pilgrimage, October 2015 Prayer & Mass Daily

Some of the Cities on our Itinerary:

Roccaporena: Rita’s birthplace, home of birth & marriage, Scoglia-her special place of prayer

Cascia: Rita’s monastery, her cell, her bascilica, her incorrupt body

Assisi: St. Francis & St. Claire and history of Franciscan Spirituality, Giotto Frescoes Rome: Papal Audience, the Vatican, Amazing Churches & Basilicas Ostia Antica: Harbour City, ancient ruins, history with St. Augustine & St. Monica

WE WERE BLESSED that the last two pilgrimages to Italy in 2011 & 2013 were amazingly peaceful; guided through the intercession of St. Rita!

Call Us at 215-546-8333 or Visit Our Website at www.SaintRitaShrine.org to hear more as our plans unfold!

Learn More ABOUT St. Rita & Help Us TO Promote Her 3

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NEW! 1 Wooden Bracelet, All St. Rita! $5

NEW! 2 St. Rita Medal, 3rd Class Relic on back, $3 NEW! 3 St. Rita Picture, 3 1/2” X 5”, $5 matted cardboard frame, prayer on back NEW! 4 St. Rita Pewter Medal with 16” stainless steel chain, & laminated holy card, $7.50

5 Precious Pearl, by Fr. Michael Di Gregorio O.S.A. paperback, 72 pgs., $5.95

6 Little Society of St. Rita Prayer Book, $5 paperback, 56 pgs.

7 Priceless Pearl of Umbria, by Peri, 174 pgs. softbound, 8 1/2” X 11”, color photos,$15 Write check to St. Rita Shrine, and mail to St. Rita Shrine, 1166 So. Broad St., Phila. PA 19146, call 215-546-8333 for Visa/MC/Discover, use PayPal at www.SaintRitaShrine.org. Add $3.00 for shipping/handling for any size order.

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2014 PEACE BANQUET AWARD RECIPIENT

Reverend Dwayne Royster

Invocation from St. Rita Peace Award Banquet, May 2, 2014 | Fr. Jack Deegan, O.S.A.

Pope Francis said “I see the church as a field hospital after the battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the levels of blood sugar! You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds.”

As we come together to celebrate St. Rita, the healer and peacemaker, and to honor the Rev. Dwayne Royster in his lifelong imitation of Rita through his ministry as Bishop of Living Water Church of the United Church of Christ, let us renew our commitment to heal the wounds of our communities. In this troubled and violent world, let us form safety zones in which the struggling wounded and voiceless people of God can find the peace and reconciliation which Rita modeled so many years ago. As Pope Francis tells us, if we are to heal the wounds, we must keep in touch with the Chief Physician. All things are possible with God as we seek the right path to follow in our ministry to our Brothers and Sisters. Let us reflect on Francis’ words: “...profound peace, spiritual consolation, love of God and love of all things in GOD- this is the sign that you are on this right path.”

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St. Augustine tells us that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. In our restlessness, let us ask God to help us understand our own wounds and to heal ourselves as we endeavor to heal others. Let us not be afraid of the dark and unknown paths that our lives may take, trusting that the light of God will guide us home. St. Augustine tells us to “Seek God to find him and find God to keep searching for God forever.”

As we come together to break bread this evening, let us fill our spirits as we nourish our bodies with the food of fellowship, compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Let us ask our God to bless our

Brother Dwayne in his leadership role in Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild.

Bless this food and those who lovingly have prepared and served it. And bless all of us as we strive to make this world a little less violent, more loving, gentle and compassionate. Let us extend the hand of friendship to all for, as Dag Hammarskjöld reminds us: “Friendship needs no words, it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.”

We make our prayer in the name of Jesus our Brother. – Fr. John Deegan, O.S.A., St. Rita Shrine Advisory Board

Recipients: Royster 2014, Bryan Miller 2009, Dr. Joe Betz 2010.

Make a Nomination for our 2015 Peace Award: St. Rita Peace Award Nominees Should Demonstrate

 Advocacy for Justice & Peace

 Family Solidarity

 Initiatives for Healing & Reconciliation

 Witness to Hope

 Example of Resolving Conflict

 Demonstration of Personal Forgiveness

Email to ritashrine@aol.com, Call at 215-546-8333 Tell us about the ministry work of your nominee and include website about the ministry, contact information for the nominee, and for you. Peace!

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2014 Novena & Feast Day Perseverance in Faith: with Family & with Prayer!

ST. RITA, OF

untiring

patient

IN suf

p

12

g patience

ffering

ersevering IN prayer EXCERPT FROM NOVENA

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Your Word TO Us

PERSISTENCE a n d FAITH

A Valued Testimony… “Why is Rita a

saint? Not so much due to the fame of the miracles which popular devotion attributes to the effectiveness of her intercession with the omnipotent God, but to the amazing ‘normality’ of her daily existence, which she lived first as a spouse and mother, then as a widow, and lastly as an Augustinian nun…The lesson of the Saint-it is worth pointing out- is focused on these typical elements of spirituality: the offer of forgiveness and the acceptance of suffering, not due to a form of passive resignation nor as the result of weakness, but due to the strength of her love for Christ…Truly, Rita is at one and the same time the ‘strong woman’ and the ‘wise virgin’ presented to us by Holy Scripture, who, in every state of life, indicates, and not just in words, what the authentic way to sanctity is as a faithful follower of Christ right up to the cross. For this reason, I have wished to propose her sweet and sorrowing figure to all her devotees, scattered in every part of the world, with the hope that, inspired by her, they may respondeach in his or her own condition of life-to the Christian vocation in its need for clarity, witness and courage: ‘thus let your light shine before others’…” Saint John Paul II 14

I WAS RAISED in the Catholic Church. I’m 15 and

was just confirmed on 3/29/14 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Frisco. I chose my Uncle John from Havertown, PA., as my sponsor. My grandmother and grandfather would take me to church every Sunday when I was younger, and I went to a Catholic school when I lived up north, near my uncle. The reason I picked St. Rita to be my confirmation saint is because my Nana and Pop Pop used to pray to her when I was little. I always told my grandparents that I would pick her as my confirmation saint when the time came. I found out that St. Rita is the “Saint of the Impossible,” and when I am going through a hard or rough time I pray to her.

She helps me achieve things that I know would be “impossible” to achieve without her. At the end of the day I’m glad I chose her as my Saint, in honor of my grandmother and grandfather. I know they were looking down on me proudly when I got confirmed. God knew that St. Rita was the right saint for me, and he guided me to the right path to pick St. Rita as my saint. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5 - Donna Alegre, Frisco, Texas

MY GRANDMOTHER, CONCETTA, had five

daughters. Her first daughter died at the age of 2, in 1923 of pneumonia. At the time of her death, my grandmother was again pregnant with daughter number two, my mother. My grandmother had no feeling inside while carrying my mother and this worried her tremendously. My grandfather, Louis, went to St. Rita’s Church often and prayed to St. Rita to make the baby, my mother, live and to be a healthy newborn. He promised St. Rita that if his child lived, he would call her Rita. Well, St. Rita heard his prayers, and my mother, Rita Tropiano, was born on May 15th, 1923.

In 1956, my mother became pregnant with my sister, Linda. Linda was due on May 1st and my mother ended up being overdue with her, and she was born three weeks later on St. Rita’s Feast Day, May 22nd. My family and I always believe things happened for a reason and feel that mom was meant to deliver on Rita’s special day! My mother passed away 2/14/13 at 89. St. Rita was her patron saint for many reasons…My sister and I know our parents are always with us and that is a good feeling. I know they are praying for us and will help us make the right decisions in life. Because of the stories my mother shared with our family many times, I have incorporated St. Rita as an intercessor in my life.

- Donna Tropiano, Margate, NJ

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AT THE EVE of St. Rita’s Feast Day I am requesting

you to ask St. Rita for a special favor on her day tomorrow, which I look forward to. I made a novena for her intercession on the following issues: that their evil actions may come to light and that they may be converted by this, that my daughter’s interviews for the Tullow Scholarship may all be successful and that she may be granted scholarship, and that I may have a great financial break through with all my loans paid. Amen.

- Rita Byabazaire, Uganda, Africa

MY DEAR FRIEND who gave me my St. Rita

medal about 15 years ago is always telling me to write in and tell you about all of the miracles I’ve gotten from St. Rita for all the people I loaned my medal to, and also MY miracle of successful cancer surgery. I carried my medal in my wallet from the day she gave it to me and about 8 years later a co-worker was going through a very difficult time at work and was on the verge of losing his Federal job. For some unknown reason I got the medal out of my wallet and told him to keep it with him, that St. Rita would help him. I told him when he got his miracle he could return the medal. He got his miracle and after that, there were 6 other co-workers I loaned my medal to, and then had it returned to me…they all received their miracle!

At one point, I found out that I had breast cancer and it was my last day of work for Christmas vacation. My surgery was planned to be the following week, for the removal of a spot and a lymph node check. When I came back to work there was a red rosebud on my desk from the first co-worker I lent the medal to. He said the rose was the last one on his bush and he wanted me to have it, it was December! I had several other rose signs which I considered to be miraculous over the holidays, some related to my father’s grave. I saved the rose petals that came my way. In the end, the cancer spot was tiny, the lymph nodes were perfect and it’s been 6 years of good health for me. I have since constantly worn my St. Rita medal! I would be honored if you would print my testimony. God bless you!

- Joanne Squires, Bensalem, PA

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MY FATHER enrolled the family’s intentions in the St. Rita Christmas Novena, as well as my son who had stomach issues and anxiety, and had to be homeschooled. This was not an ideal situation for him and my mother, as she is 71 yrs. old and has been the one homeschooling him. Our prayer is that he would start to get well and take the entrance exam at Mercy Vocational High School. St. Rita’s intercession worked and my son, Matthew, went today to take his entrance exam! It was truly a miracle! Our next hurdle is that he is accepted to the school and then, that he continues to build his self-confidence and remains healthy. I ask that St. Rita intercede to end the anxiety and worry for myself, my parents and of course, for Matthew. I am truly thankful for all you have done for us, St. Rita!

- Karen Johnson, Phila. PA

IN NOVEMBER of 2013 we found out that my fiancée

had lung cancer. Along with that, he also had clots in that same lung. There were many tests that had to be done in order to determine if he was even a surgical candidate. Each day was mentally and physically draining, as we waited for the test results. I prayed to St. Rita twice a day asking for positive news each time. We also used St. Rita’s oil and said the prayer.

After four days in the hospital, he was discharged home. The rest of the testing was completed as an outpatient. In the beginning of December, he was cleared for surgery. His entire right lung was removed.

Chemotherapy was completed this past March & he returned to work in May. I continue to pray to St. Rita daily so that we continue to receive good news that he remains cancer free. I can tell you that we would have not made it through this without the support of St. Rita. She gave us the strength, perseverance and faith to help us through this. I thank her every day for what she has done to assist us.

- Dolores S., Phila.

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UPDATEon “THE LITTLE SOCIETY OF ST. RITA” OF LANCASTER, PA

IN MAY, the Little Society

of St. Rita of Lancaster, PA hosted some of the Missionaries of the Poor from the Guardian Angels Monastery in North Carolina. We were blessed to be visited

by Brother Lito, Brother Pius, and Brother Francis. The young women of the Society invited their own families to join the Society members in welcoming the Brothers.

Pictured here with the brothers are the Asso Family, the Sexton Family and my own family, the Russoniello’s with our friend Gabby Kuntz in the blue shirt [bottom photo].

Gentle, soft spoken Brother Francis challenged us to think about our vocations and what God is calling us to do with our lives. Together we prayed the Evening Prayers and sang hymns to the Blessed Virgin. The Brothers taught us a song about building community. The final verse goes: “it is I, it is you, it is we, it is Christ, it is Love that builds community”.

The Missionaries of the Poor have missions in the United States, Jamaica, Haiti, India, Kenya, Philippines, Uganda and Indonesia. They have over 600 Priests and Brothers and 12 Sisters serving the poor and caring for the homeless, elderly, orphaned, disabled and vulnerable.

- J. Russoniello, Lancaster, PA

The Little Society of St. Rita

Prayer Packet:

Society Prayer Book [photo], “The Precious Pearl”

by Michael Di Gregorio OSA, 3rd class St. Rita Relic Medal, Blessed Rose Petal Card, Blessed Oil, St. Rita Holy Card. $20 includes s/h.

Write check to St. Rita Shrine, and mail to St. Rita Shrine, 1166 So. Broad St., Phila. PA 19146 or call 215-546-8333 for MC, Visa & Discover.

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An Upcoming St. Rita Shrine Promotion & Fundraiser

BANNERS on BROAD STREET!

at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia We are in the process

of organizing a Shrine Promotion & Fundraiser to bring further attention to the National Shrine of St. Rita located on Broad Street, 11 blocks South of City Hall, in Philadelphia.

The Banners are 3’ X 6’ and will be created to hang from the light poles in the vicinity of our National Shrine. Devotees of St. Rita will have an opportunity to make a donation to have their loved one, their family name or the name of their business placed at the bottom of the banner.

Banners will be seen by many pedestrians and drivers on Broad Street. Help us to promote the Shrine of St. Rita!

Project is in process. If you are interested in hearing more information about the donation for the banner, and other details, please contact the Shrine at 215-546-8333.

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PERSISTENCE t h r o u g h MY THORN OF GRACE FR. MICHAEL R. SCUDERI, O.S.A.

Fr. Mike as a child, 1972

ST. PAUL WROTE, “I was given a thorn of the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! ... I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but the Lord said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Cor. 12, 7-8

I am a 47 year old Augustinian Catholic priest at St. Rita Shrine, and for the last 44 years I too have been afflicted by “a thorn of the flesh” in the form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. My affliction came about unexpectedly when I was 3 years of age, as I began complaining to my parents that “my knee hurts.” Soon afterwards, I began falling down for no apparent reason. My condition worsened and I had trouble climbing stairs to my bedroom. My mother even had to carry me up the stairs, at times. This disease affects all of the joints of my body, and has caused many other defects, such as loss of bone density, joint deterioration, pain, and a decrease in my size.

This affliction has led to many operations, but with the grace of God, I have been able to persist in this constant battle. This “thorn” of mine also has a way of keeping me humble in the sight of so many people who have it worse than I do. I often wonder if St. Rita had that feeling

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also. Like St. Paul, I too pleaded with the Lord that this affliction might leave me. However, in the course of time, I understood that the Lord’s response to me was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 12, 7-8

The precise nature of St. Paul’s “thorn of the flesh” is unknown, but it is quite possible that his affliction may have been some form of painful and debilitating arthritis. I have learned to re-echo the words of St Paul, who wrote, “I am content with weakness, hardships and constraints for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then, I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12, 11-12

As a priest in the Order of St. Augustine, I have been pleasantly surprised by the resolve that God has given me. I ask for it in prayer, and it is given to me in abundance in grace.

From a human perspective, it may appear to us that the worst time in our lives is when our Lord seems

furthest from us, but I have learned that it is precisely on these occasions that the Lord is inviting us to look with the eyes of faith and be aware of His presence in our lives.

When I was ready to have my 1st major operation: a “triple arthrodesis,” an operation in which the bones of the foot are fused together to offset the effects of deterioration, I went through all of the necessary pre-op tests. The day before the scheduled operation, my doctor received the results of another X-ray that had nothing at all to do with my operation.

bones in my neck to become so fragile that the bending of my neck in any manner would restrict my breathing and result in sudden death. My operation that day would have involved the administration of general anesthesia, which would have involved my neck being bent backwards to the extent that almost certainly would have proven fatal.

I felt that the Lord providentially intervened to save me.

Over time now, I have found that my chronic pain brings others who experience their own “thorn of the flesh,”

BUT WITH THE grace OF God I HAVE BEEN ABLE

TO persist IN THIS CONSTANT BATTLE

It merely was done as a precaution because I was experiencing some minor headaches. The x-ray revealed that my arthritis had caused the

Fr. Mike’s Ordination Mass with Bishop Louis A. DiSimone, St. Rita Shrine, 10/09

to seek me out. Many have told me that they believe I can understand their pain and suffering. No longer do I ask God that I be healed of my affliction. I know that bearing with my affliction was God’s hand leading me to His service to help others in the darkness of their pain.

Dependent upon God’s grace, I persist in continuing my service to Him and to all, and my “thorn of the flesh” continues to be a blessing in disguise.

Fr. Michael Scuderi, O.S.A. is an Augustinian priest who was ordained in 2009 and stationed since then at the St. Rita Shrine in Phila, PA. Fr. Mike worked in several businesses before his priesthood, including employment in the food industry & also in the field of computer analysis for insurance programs.

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PLAN A FULL OR HALF DAY RETREAT

Pilgrims will

pray learn & contemplate

the virtues of St. Rita.

Our retreat talks will focus on the life of St. Rita and her desire and ability to forgive, to

persevere in prayer, and to accept suffering in her life. Some topics offered include: • Healing and Faith

• Reconciliation & Peacemaking

• Perseverance in the Face of Tragedy

• Faith & Obedience, Faith & Acceptance • A Topic of Your Choice

For more information: 215-546-8333 ext. 10 email: ritashrine@aol.com Reservation form can be found on-line at www.SaintRitaShrine.org and filled out for a tour or retreat day for your group.

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We will call you to arrange the details of your pilgrimage.

WITH

US!

We invite you to our Shrine to experience the peace and serenity modeled by our remarkable Saint Rita, a woman whose faith empowered her to overcome the horror of a murdered husband and tragedy of the death of her sons. Her faith sustained her as a wife, mother, widow and nun, meeting every challenge with firm trust in God’s will. During your visit, we encourage you to take advantage of Mass, Adoration, Private Prayer, Reconciliation, Novena Prayers and Veneration of the Relic, as well as a tour of the Shrine, the Gift Shop and lunch. In addition, your group may opt for a day of recollection, including a talk and group discussion.

Schedule your group’s visit or retreat day for Monday through Saturday.

We look forward to seeing you!

Fr. Joe Genito, O.S.A., Shrine Director 23

The Philadelp DIVINE HELP ’s land New interest in a lot on St. Rita zation. has shrine officials eyeing revitali

By Erin Arvedlund

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER JUST IN TIME for her feast day on May 22, St. Rita seems to have interceded for her namesake shrine in South Philadelphia.

The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia has met with at least eight different developers about building on an empty lot next to the church, where its parochial school once stood.

That’s a far cry from just one month ago, when St. Rita’s, a Catholic landmark, had not even a nibble on the property.

St. Rita’s original plans for the space didn’t do justice to the corner of Broad and Ellsworth Streets, its neighbors said.

Renderings by Robert W. McCauley, of Strada Architecture L.L.C. in Philadelphia, showed a onestory, prefabricated $2.5 million shedlike structure, which was all that St.Rita's could afford, according to the Rev. Joseph Genito, the shrine director and pastor.

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But thanks to a bit of adverse publicity — and “the intercession of St. Rita,” said Genito — he and some parish directors have heard expressions of interest from developers about a mixed-use commercial and residential project.

Developers Ken Goldenberg, of the Goldenberg Group of Blue Bell, expressed interest, according to one director on the board of St. Rita’s. Goldenberg is currently developing the former Wanamaker property on Cecil B. Moore Avenue at 12th Street, with North Philadelphia’s Bright Hope Baptist Church.

St. Rita’s had hoped to partner with a developer to build a larger structure incorporating a parish center. Genito envisions the mixed-use development attracting not only parishioners but also local business people looking for reflection and respite. Genito wants to reawaken the parish itself.

phia Inquirer

the National Shrine of Saint and the Rev. Joseph Genito outside Board member Ronald Donatucci from developers about Recent publicity has raised interest Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia.

L BRYANT / Staff Photographer land owned by the shrine. MICHAE

“We’re trying to revitalize,” he said. A parish center could host workshops in peacekeeping skills that the shrine’s patron saint displayed.

Genito describes it as teaching people “to live by the values of peacekeeping and resolution, rather than killing each other.”

Ronald Donatucci, the city’s Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphan’s Court, sits on St. Rita’s board. He confirmed that the parish is open to all development ideas, provided that they aren’t at odds with the church’s mission.

“Father Joe said, ‘No gun shops, no controversial uses,’ and we plan to stick to that,” Donatucci said.

A visitors center at St. Rita’s Shrine would encourage tourists to linger for several hours, learn more about St. Rita, even dine at a cafe, Genito said. Currently, there is only a small gift shop in the shrine’s basement, rather than a larger parish center.

St. Rita must have had something to do with developers coming “out of the woodwork,” Genito added. “She works in mysterious ways.”

Used with permission of Philadelphia Inquirer Copyright© 2014. All rights reserved.

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DEVELOPMENT of

OUR DEVELOPMENTS NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. RITA

DEAR FRIENDS OF THE SHRINE,

As you have seen through the photographs and writings in this issue, we gracefully and prayerfully continue to direct our efforts towards promoting devotion to St. Rita and her virtuous life through traditions established years ago at the shrine. We also hope you took note of our current promotional focus to increase pilgrim group visits and day retreat experiences, even before our new Cascia Center is completed.

Our time at the shrine this past May bore great fruit as a multitude of pilgrims traveled to us for the Solemn Novena and Feast Day with steadfast perseverance in prayer for petitions desired, and in thanksgiving for favors received. The annual Peace Banquet was another heartwarming ‘St. Rita night’ as we heard Rev. Dwayne Royster profess his journey in perseverance to proclaim God’s word to his congregation and through his work with P.O.W.E.R., a city-wide interfaith non-profit.

The Benefactors, Friars, Parishioners, Friends, Employees, Volunteers, Shrine Board and all involved in the Cascia Center Project find themselves asked again to persevere through another period of waiting and change. We believe the new building direction and potential you read about in this issue will, too, bear great fruit. We thank you for your con26

tinued financial support and perseverance with the long-awaited project completion.

Today we ask that you assist us in spreading the word about St. Rita, our shrine, and the opportunity for pilgrimage & prayer, right here in Philadelphia! St. Rita’s body may be enshrined in Cascia, Italy, but her spirit of peace and tranquility is notably experienced here often, by many. How will you help us bring an invitation to others to meet our blessed patroness St. Rita, whose perseverance through trials brought her to Sainthood?

Deborah Binder

Development Director

215-546-8333 ext. 12 ritashrine@aol.com www.SaintRitaShrine.org

How Can YOU Help Us to Promote St. Rita?  PARISHIONERS ask your Pastor to bring a group for a day retreat around the virtuous life of St. Rita, a Saint for all states of life

 PARENTS speak with your child’s teacher about arranging a class trip to learn about the Patron Saint of Peacemaking and Forgiveness

 ROSARY GROUPS & PRAYER GROUPS spend a day of retreat at the shrine and contemplate St. Rita’s life of prayer  TEACHERS bring your students on pilgrimage and hear how St. Rita handled difficulties in her life

 SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS offer the suggestion of a shrine visit, a day of prayerful retreat to your special events planner  HOME SCHOOL FAMILIES consider joining together for a pilgrimage and day retreat to learn about St. Rita’s way of peacemaking

 MEMBERS OF NEUMANN CENTERS plan a pilgrimage to pray & hear about St. Rita the Peacemaker, Reconciler & Forgiver for today’s world  NURSES & CAREGIVERS gather a group together for a retreat day of prayer to rejuvenate and to contemplate St. Rita as Healer

www.SaintRitaShrine.org

Mass, Blessing with St. Rita Oil, St. Rita Novena, Relic Veneration

Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 21, Jan. 18 , Feb. 15 Mar. 15, Apr. 19, May 17 Guest Augustinian Celebrant for Each Mass

3rd Sunday of Each Month, Sept. to May Healing Mass 2 PM • Confessions 1-2 PM

Novena of Healing Masses

New at the Shrine!

see pgs. 22-23

Day Retreat With Us

Plan a Full or Half

Group

Pilgrim

Bring a Return service requested

1166 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19146

National Shrine Saint Rita of Cascia NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSDALE, PA PERMIT NO. 491