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June 2006
Over the past six years since the Jubilee 2000,
in which the Church observed the anniversary of Redemption and the
first centenary of the canonization of Saint Rita, we have been about
the work of transforming the lower church The centerpiece of the shrine is a life-size bronze statue of Saint Rita in Ecstasy who contemplates the suffering Jesus as he rises from the tomb. This ancient depiction of the Lord is also rendered in bronze and is known as Jesus of Holy Saturday or The Resurgent Christ. It was before this image that Rita received the thorn in 1442. Surrounding the statue of Saint Rita is a an octagonal cloister-like gallery in which are located shrines to her three patron saints. Two of these shrines have recently been enhanced with statues of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino and Saint Augustine of Hippo; that of Saint John theBaptist will be done in the months to come. Also occupying the cloister area are several precious relics of Saint Rita and an image of Blessed Teresa Fasce, the great promoter of devotion to our saint. The newest mural celebrates Rita as the Peacemaker Saint, drawing people of every place and time to share the embrace of forgiveness and reconciliation. The Eucharistic chapel for the celebration of weekday Masses and daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a place of reverent simplicity and silence. Adjacent to it is the Reconciliation Chapel, containing a preparation area and two reconciliation rooms. The Stations of the Cross adorn the walls of this chapel. The Grotto of the Saints contains statues and paintings that were formerly located in the old lower church as well as some newer images popular among people who frequent the Shrine. The most recent addition is the elevator which accesses both the upper church and the lower shrine from a newly landscaped patio located between the church and the friary. The opportunity still exists for individuals and families to establish memorials in connection with the overall Pilgrim Shrine Project. Please contact us for information. Sincerely,
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into a place of devotion and pilgrimage. Through the generosity of
thousands of devotees of Saint Rita across the country - and beyond
- we have been able to do something beautiful and inspirational here
at the National Shrine. This extended project is almost complete.
