Confidence that God hears the prayer of the desperate

From the Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Sacred Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Meditation for Day 9

On this final day, we stand where Saint Rita stands: in the place of total confidence in God’s power to answer what seems utterly impossible. Paul exhorts us: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts’ (Phil 4:6–7). Saint Rita’s long history of intercessions — from her husband’s conversion to her entry into the convent to countless favors granted to desperate souls — bears witness that God hears such prayers. Lay your impossible cause before Him today with gratitude, trusting that His answer, in whatever form it comes, will be the truest good.

Daily Novena Prayer (recited every day)

Closing Prayer

O excellent St. Rita, worker of miracles, from thy sanctuary in Cascia, where in all thy beauty thou sleepest in peace, where thy relics exhale breaths of paradise, turn thy merciful eyes on me who suffer and weep! Thou seest my poor bleeding heart surrounded by thorns. Thou seest, O dear Saint, that my eyes have no more tears to shed, so much have I wept! Weary and discouraged as I am, I feel the very prayers dying on my lips. Must I thus despair in this crisis of my life? O come, St. Rita, come to my aid and help me. Art thou not called the Saint of the Impossible, Advocate to those in despair? Then honor thy name, procuring for me from God the favor that I ask. [Here ask the favor you wish to obtain.] Everyone praises thy glories, everyone tells of the most amazing miracles performed through thee, must I alone be disappointed because thou hast not heard me? Ah no! Pray then, pray for me to thy sweet Lord Jesus that He be moved to pity by my troubles and that, through thee, O good St. Rita, I may obtain what my heart so fervently desires. (Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father, three times.)