It all started in 1907, just seven years after the canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia.
The History of Saint Rita in Philadelphia
In November 1906, the Most Reverend Patrick Ryan, Archbishop of Philadelphia, invited the Augustinian Friars from the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, to establish a new parish in the southern part of the city. By March of the following year, land was purchased on South Broad Street and the celebration of Mass began almost immediately in a former stable. This new faith community was established to address the spiritual, social, and educational needs of the diverse immigrant families of the neighborhood. With the canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, the church was named in her honor, with particular attention given to the needs of the growing Italian immigrant population in South Philadelphia.
Less than a year later, in October 1907, the cornerstone was laid, and thanks to the generous donation of one individual, Mr. Lucas Burke, the construction of the church began. For eight years, local artisans and immigrants labored to build the magnificent structure, under the direction of architect George Lovatt. Lovatt’s design was adapted from the first Baroque churches in Rome, utilizing Italian mosaic flooring and an imported, marble altar that stretches over 32 feet in height.
When the church was dedicated in May of 1915, the parish community was already well-established and highly regarded throughout Philadelphia. Daily Mass was celebrated in English and Italian, membership in the Saint Rita Society was growing, and the Novena prayers to Saint Rita were already being recited every Wednesday. A parish school was established in 1910, with 175 students enrolled in the first year. The Gray Franciscan Sisters from Peekskill, New York were the first religious community to staff the school, with the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary joining shortly after.
By the 1930s, Saint Rita Parish was the largest Catholic community in South Philadelphia, with over 8,000 families registered as parishioners. As the devotion and needs of the parishioners grew, it became clear that a new school was necessary. With the impact of the Great Depression and the escalation of the Second World War though, it wasn’t until September of 1951 when a new school building was finally dedicated. For the next 40 years, Saint Rita Parish and School would faithfully serve the needs of the local parishioners and their children.
Restoration and Expansion of Ministry
By the early 1990s, however, the parish was in danger of closing. With dwindling numbers and compromised infrastructure, the school closed, leaving the fate of Saint Rita’s Parish unknown. A faith-based initiative to revitalize the parish community began and quickly gained widespread support. The mission to rejuvenate this spiritual, educational, social, and cultural center of reconciliation and peacemaking began in 1993 with a newsletter mailing to just 600 people. This steady, intentional effort to regrow devotion to Saint Rita among local, regional, and national patrons started to bear great fruit!
By 2003, the Bishops of the United States designated the church as the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia. The years of rebuilding gave rise to the refurbishing of the Upper Church, and a complete renovation and remodeling of the Lower Shrine. Custom sculptures and murals by artist Anthony Visco adorn the Lower Shrine and invite pilgrims to experience the story and virtuous life of Saint Rita anew. In 2004, the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia was even awarded a prestigious honor by being “twinned” to the Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia in Italy. Since then, several additional phases of renovation have been completed.
In 2016, as part of a strategic plan, the parish was closed leaving the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia to operate exclusively as a national shrine. As a place of prayerful pilgrimage, transforming sacrament, and compassionate pastoral services of encounter, the Shrine community now extends beyond the city boundaries to the entire nation. New patrons have joined long-standing parishioners to make the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia their spiritual home.
A Saint and a Shrine for All People
Now, we look to new opportunities and an exciting future! In 2020, the Shrine, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, began building Saint Rita Place and the Cascia Center. This five-story building provides the Shrine a new community room, meeting spaces for pilgrims and retreatants, as well as offices on the first floor. The top four floors consist of 46 affordable apartment units for senior citizens in Philadelphia. This project, 15 years in the making, is a recommitment of the Shrine to the most vulnerable in the City, as well as to a ministry of hospitality for countless patrons and pilgrims who visit.
Over the years, millions have come to call the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia their spiritual home. The rich history and heritage of the church is inspired and guided by the life of its patroness, Saint Rita, who is renowned as a peacemaker, advocate of reconciliation, and helper in the most difficult of situations.
With our status as a national shrine, there is a renewed sense of diversity and vitality at the Shrine, as well as a willingness to meet new needs as they arise. In discerning these needs and building upon what has already been realized, we look for the same spirit of generosity, enthusiasm, and creativity that characterized our early history to continue, in order that we might meet the challenges of the future most effectively.