Third Annual Saint Rita Day of Service
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is proud to announce its third annual Saint Rita Day of Service, taking place Friday, March 20, 2026. This year marks the Shrine’s largest day of service to date, with approximately 3,200 participants across 16 states committing an act of service in their local community to honor Saint Rita’s enduring legacy.
Individuals, families, parish groups, schools, and community organizations nationwide will take part in a wide range of service activities, from feeding the hungry and supporting shelters to neighborhood cleanups and outreach to those most in need. Each act reflects the spirit of Saint Rita of Cascia, who is remembered as a peacemaker, a woman of deep faith, and a model of perseverance in the face of life’s greatest challenges.
“This growing movement of service is a powerful testament to Saint Rita’s relevance today,” said Jonathan Jerome, the Shrine’s Executive Director. “To see thousands of people united in compassion and generosity - especially during such troubling times in the world and in such a meaningful anniversary year for our Shrine - is truly inspiring!”
The 2026 day of service is especially significant as the Catholic Church commemorates the 125th anniversary of Saint Rita’s canonization, proclaimed in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. This milestone invites the faithful to reflect more deeply on her example of forgiveness, humility, and unwavering trust in God during even the most difficult circumstances. It also resonates strongly with the mission of today’s Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, whose papacy has consistently emphasized mercy, reconciliation, and care for those on the margins. In many ways, so much of our current Pope’s identity reflects values long embodied by the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia in South Philadelphia: Augustinian spirituality, a commitment to peacebuilding, and a deep pastoral concern for people facing “impossible” situations.
