Hence, the blessed connection between the Saint Ritas well and the sport of baseball. The sanctuary and the house where she was born are among the most active pilgrimage sites of Umbria. Its a fresh season; a perfect season so far and new beginnings are always exciting. Several months before her death, she was visited by a relative from Roccaporena who asked if there was anything she could do for the ailing woman. [8] Rita was beatified by Pope Urban VIII in 1626. Paolo was the victim of one such conflict, and he was murdered when their sons were still young. Waiting for something, anything to happen, the townspeople built a baseball field to pass the time. I also think the fact that she was able to forgive him shows incredible strength especially after so many years of violence, cheating, and even turning her children against her. She prayed to be able to share in Christs suffering, offering her heart in compassion and love. God heard her prayer, and St. Rita was struck in the forehead with a thorn from the crown with which Christ was crucified. According to popular tales, through humility, kindness and patience, Rita was able to convert her husband into a better person, more specifically renouncing a family feud known at the time as La Vendetta. Weight of medal: 4.3 Grams. Be kind to me, for the greater glory of God, and I promise to honor thee and to sing thy praises forever. They grow to be men and women of faith by seeing what they look, act and sound like. Jack Thunder Contents [ hide] 1 Why is St Rita the patron saint of baseball? Little League or Major League: It doesn't matter if you are just starting to play baseball or you are a pro, a baseball pendant necklace is sure to please and will look great too. Saint Ritas patronage of baseball is connected to the drilling of the Santa Rita Oil Well in Big Lake, Texas, in 1921. The truth is that while Saint Rita is the official Patron Saint of various causes (abuse victims, sterility, loneliness, difficult marriages, That's when I bring a problem to her. "Please let me suffer like you, Divine Saviour," she said one day, and suddenly one of the thorns from the crucifix struck her on the forehead. Eduardo Verstegui: God's Children are NOT for Sale: Interview on Sound of Freedom film SUCCESS! The St. Rita Believe Band inspires us to spread this profound spiritual message of faith and hope. They married when St. Rita was twelve years old. You just have to believe. The nuns named the well the Santa Rita Well, in honor of its patron. St Rita: for the 'impossible causes' and baseball woes On MO-13: exit from MO-13 SOUTH right at the second BOLIVAR exit onto ALDRICH ROAD and travel east until you reach the third traffic signal at SPRINGFIELD AVE. The Catholic Church identifies baseball and all sports as a universal aspect of humanity which has taken on new levels of importance in our time. St. Rita, patroness of impossible causes, aid us who call to you! At the age of 12 her parents arranged a marriage for her to Paolo Mancini, despite her wanting to join a convent. Her husband, Paolo Mancini, was known to be a rich, quick-tempered, immoral man, who had many enemies in the region of Cascia. Oil business was booming, Texas was hot, and investments spread like wildfire. Saint Rita of Cascia may be an unofficial patron saint of baseball, but her intercession and protection on the field are no less powerful than her patronage of impossible causes and difficult marriages. 5 Who is the patron saint of depression? First Edition, Paris: Robert Laffont Publisher, 1988, List of saints canonized by Pope Leo XIII, Saint Rita of Cascia, patron saint archive, "ST. RITA OF CASCIA:: Catholic News Agency (CNA)", Society of Saint Rita in Roccaporena, Italy, National Shrine of Saint Rita in Philadelphia, "Saint Rita of Cascia: advocate of the impossible cases", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rita_of_Cascia&oldid=1164674275, Lost and impossible causes, sickness, wounds, marital problems, abuse, mothers, This page was last edited on 10 July 2023, at 11:55. No matter if you are playing first base, out in the outfield, coaching from the dugout, or cheering from the stands, there is something truly wonderful about baseball, both as Americas pastime but also as a way to grow closer to God. Instead they arranged a marriage for her. P413 or Philippians 4:13 reminds me that this game isnt about me at all, its about doing what I can with the gifts God has given me.. Who is the Patron Saint of Baseball? - Busted Halo Patron Saint of Baseball - Saint Rita - Taylor Marshall Canonized hundreds of years later, she was known as St. Rita, Patron Saint of Impossible Causes. In one of baseball's greatest moments, Bobby Thomson's legendary "shot heard around the world" clinched the National League pennant from the Brooklyn Dodgers at the bottom of the ninth. Deign to come now to our aid for the relief and cure of(name). St. Sebastian Baseball, Patron Saint of Athletes and Soldiers St. Rita: for the 'impossible causes' and baseball woes Jimmy carried a Saint Rita medal for good luck. Oui Je Crois. Behold me recalling His favors to thee, that thou mayst plead for me. On May 27, 1923, the drill hit dolomitic sands, called Big Lime in the oil business. Strangely enough, there are two different answers, both correct. I unite my will with the will of God through the merits of my Savior Jesus Christ, and in particular through his patient wearing of the crown of thorns, which with tender devotion thou didst daily contemplate. The official 2023 Baseball schedule for the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats . In the local dialect, her name meant "pearl," but she was known simply as Rita. Nearly every catholic school and parish has some form of competitive or intramural baseball team that brings parishioners together in a shared interest. The priest suggested they pray to Saint Rita, the patroness of impossible causes. St. Rita is also considered an unofficial patron saint of baseball players due to the reference made to her in the 2002 film, The Rookie.. An old and revered tradition records that the bells of the convent immediately began to peal unaided by human hands, calling the people of Cascia to the doors of the convent, and announcing the triumphant completion of a life faithfully lived. Saint Rita of Cascia, the patron saint of impossible causes, is also an unofficial patron saint of baseball. Easy - one that invokes the protection of the Saints! The inspirational story of one 14th century nun is one of hope - both on and off the baseball field. Her name is Rita, St. Rita that is. St. Rita felt that God sent her this warmth and splendor as a sign that her family had entered into eternal life, and that she would soon be reunited with them there. St. Rita of Cascia - Informally the patron saint of baseball St. Lidwina - Patron saint of ice skating St. Luigi Scrosoppi - Patron saint of football (soccer) St. Bernard of Montjoux - Patron of skiers Additional Athletic Saints St. John Paul II - This recent Pope was an avid hiker and skier According to Butler, this was taken to indicate that the career of the child was to be marked by industry, virtue, and devotion.[5]. Her body showed no signs of deterioration. [3] However, Rita persisted in her cause and was given a condition before the convent could accept her: the task of reconciling her family with her husband's murderers. Keep Them Protected: He'll love wearing a symbol of his faith and his sport! They began asking St. Sebastian for intercessions. St. Rita was born at Spoleto, Italy in 1381. While there is no official patron saint of baseball recognized by the Catholic Church, there have been certain saints who are often associated with baseball in a symbolic or honorary manner. 1 had struck oil! St. Rita Baseball Medal, Sterling Silver - St. Jude Shop, Inc. [4] Popular religious tales recall that the bubonic plague, which ravaged Italy at the time, infected Bernardo Mancini, causing him to relinquish his desire to feud any longer with the Chiqui family. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. After her death, many miracles were attributed to Rita and she was canonized in 1900. St. Ritas prayer and example did break through Paolos brutish exterior, and he began to accept the Christian faith of his wife, amending his ways to become a better person. Rita of Cascia - Wikipedia Patron Saint of Baseball - Softball - Christian Apostles.com She died on May 22, 1457. When her body was later exhumed, it was noted that her forehead wound still remained the same, with the glistening light reflected from the drops of blood. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Rita desired to enter the monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene in Cascia, but was turned away. On the back side of the medal is the image of a baseball player commemorating St. Rita as the patron saint of basebal. Waiting for something, anything to happen, the townspeople built a baseball field to pass the time. May this blessed Rose, sweet with the memories of thy daily acts of love before the image of the Crucified Savior, and of the wonders wrought for thee in thy dying moments, give me confidence that thou in Heaven wilt plead that I, too, may share in the good things God has in store for thy clients. Comments Policy: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic. All rights reserved. Saint Rita of Cascia (1381-1457) is an Italian Augustine Saint born in Roccaporena, which is a municipality of Umbria, Italy. A number of those who played on this field went on to play professional baseball in the major leagues. Get your game-on with help from a heavenly helper. Its an unofficial honor, to be sure, but when the rally towels are flying, the prayers cant hurt! The login page will open in a new tab. What a great conversation starter wearing a patron saint of baseball St. Rita medal on the field and in the locker room can be as you teach others about the remarkable life of St. Rita, the patron saint of baseball. Wearing a saint medal invoking the protection of St. Rita, St. Sebastian, or St. Christopher, the patron saints of, St. Sebastian, patron saint of baseball and softball, Christ Knocking at the Door Bedtime Story. A lady who had been in the audience a few days earlier said she had purchased a St. Rita medal years ago and never gave it to the person she had intended to give it to. Her husband was a very immoral man. CatholicMom.com Book Series at Ave Maria Press, The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. "Patron Saint of Baseball" Rallies Fans to Make Miracles Come True for A prayer to St. Rita before taking an exam - Aleteia document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. They had to stop drilling. Your email address will not be published. Saints Baseball Organization A youth baseball league based out of Sugar Land, Texas, Pope Francis acknowledges the wonderful influence baseball can have on the world this is possible because the language of sport is universal; it extends across borders, language, race religion and ideology; it possesses the capacity to unite people together, by fostering dialogue and acceptance.. Yet, St. Rita endured these pains with humility, kindness, and patience, hoping her virtuous example would both glorify God and lead to the conversion of her husband. But the St. Rita-baseball connection doesnt stop in Big Lake! [2] Paolo Mancini's brother, Bernardo, was said to have continued the feud and hoped to convince Rita's sons to seek revenge. Let competition make me strong but never hostile. For this you are the patroness of the impossible, and our inspiration and advocate in desperate circumstances. Bolivar 10. It was time to get to work. Both St. Rita and St. Sebastian are the patron saints of baseball. St. Rita is the patron saint of baseball and difficult circumstances; as a relief pitcher, Jason is no stranger to those and Rita has helped him through more than one tough inning. St. Rita died peacefully on May 22, 1457. @stritabaseballbelieve News My Grandma, my best friend Today, St. Rita is known as the patron saint for abused women, mourning wives and impossible causes. Men's Pewter Oval Saint Rita Baseball Medal + USA Made + Chain Choice. [5], Pious Catholic legends later recount that Rita was transported into the monastery of Saint Magdalene via levitation at night into the garden courtyard by her three patron saints. In 1381, they welcomed their only child, Margherita. St. Sebastian is one of the most well known martyrs and athleta Christi (champion of Christ). She remained at the monastery, living by the Augustinian Rule, until her death from tuberculosis on 22 May 1457. The feast day of St. Rita, an Augustinian nun who lived in Cascia, Italy, in the 14th century, is celebrated on May 22. Margerita Lotti, born in a small Italian village in 1381, dedicated her life to service. Even after her husband died in a feud, she discouraged her sons from trying to seek revenge. The sad part of the story is the medal slipped out of his pocket, got lost in the mud somewhere on the field and never made its way home. He treated St. Rita very poorly insulting her, physically abusing her, and being unfaithful to her. A fresco of the two families making peace is on the wall of the Church of St. Francis in Cascia a testament to the power of goodness and forgiveness. When you buy a believe band, you not only celebrate the power of St. Rita - the patron saint of baseball and impossible causes - but you also join a community of incredible people who believe in faith, hope and that anything is possible. In the troubling political climate of the times, there was often open conflict between families. Some say baseball is the road to God. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(275132, '10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); CatholicMom.com Book Series at Ave Maria PressThe Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. The legend of Saint Rita's association with baseball dates back to the early 20th century, when a group of Italian immigrants were playing a game in her honor. TwoCatholic nuns who had invested in the well and named it Saint Rita Oil Well in honor of her patronage of impossible cases.. Either way its always a great day to play ball and use the gifts God gives you! Rita, fearing that her sons would lose their souls, tried to dissuade them from retaliating, but to no avail. The story of Rita increased in popularity due to a 2004 film titled Santa Rita da Cascia, filmed in Florence, Italy. Tradition has it that she often pointed out to them the image of the crucified Christ and the fact that he forgave those who killed him. And so, inspired by her three patron saints (Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, and Saint John the Baptist), Rita set out to make peace between the families. FREE shipping Add to Favorites . It was a desperate time in the impoverished town of Big Lake, Texas, where all hope of striking oil seemed lost. St. Rita, patron saint of baseball, pray for us. St Andrew the Apostle Medal - Sterling Silver - Large, Engravable, St Michael Medal - Sterling Silver with 24 in. Our Catholic faith serves as the core of the business. The story of the Santa Rita oil rig and the ragtag group of oil men who played baseball in its shadow isnt a well-known tale, but it was the beginning of Saint Ritas association with the boys of summer. At her canonization ceremony, she was bestowed the title of Patroness of Impossible Causes, while in many Catholic countries, Rita came to be known as the patroness of abused wives and heartbroken women. The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid, is based on a true story about a high school baseball coach from Texas (nearby to where the nun's oil well was brought up), Jimmy Morris, who ended up reaching his lifetime goal of pitching in the major leagues despite his age (most MLB prospects are drafted in their teens or early twenties, while he somehow managed to do it in his thirties!). Various miracles are attributed to her intercession, and she is often portrayed with a bleeding wound on her forehead, which is understood to indicate a partial stigmata. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Her feast day is 22 May. Copyright 2023 CatholicMom.com. While we may all get wrapped up in the spirit of healthy competition, St. John Paul II reminds us that baseball and all other sports should focus less on the victory, but instead join in the shared celebration in human triumphs. Her story of hope and faith inspired him to spread her message miracles happen every day one bracelet at a time. Saint Rita Baseball Believe makes a miracle - St. Rita Believe Band The wound it caused remained open and visible until the day of her death.Toward the end of her life, Rita progressively weakened physically. St. Rita has recently been touted as an unofficial patron saint of the sport because of the references made to her in this movie where Quaid plays Jimmy Morris, an actual ballplayer, who makes an unbelievable comeback to become a major league ballplayer. The answer might surprise you! She is the patroness of impossible cases. Philippians 4:13. For the 2004 biographical film, see. Days after the sisters prayed to the intercession of St. Rita, the drill struck oil! [1] Her parents arranged a marriage for her to Paolo Mancini, a nobleman who would provide her with safety and security. She was declared an incorruptible after the third exhumation. Guide and purify my intention, O holy protectress and advocate, so that I may obtain the pardon of all my sins and the grace to persevere daily, as thou didst in walking with courage, generosity, and fidelity down the path of life. O Holy St. Rita, exemplary Augustinian Sister, we honor you for your devotion to the Passion of Christ. The 2019 science fiction novella Sisters of the Vast Black features a fictional group of nuns known as the Order of Saint Rita. Patron Saint Necklace. Her intercession and protection have been sought after by baseball players and fans alike for over a century. Have you ever considered who the patron saint of baseball might be? According to pious accounts, Rita was originally pursued by a notary named Gubbio but she resisted his offer. The Saturday before the team was to take off, I was telling the story about Jason and St. Rita at a conference I was speaking at and I mentioned that I had forgotten to get a new medal. One of them was a gifted young pitcher named Jim Morris. With over 300,000 products, ChristianApostles.com is the largest online Catholic Store. Many people visit her tomb each year from all over the world. Shortly afterwards, her two sons died, and Rita was alone in the world. She was admitted to the covenant of the Augustinian nuns at Cascia in Umbria, and began a life of perfect obedience and great charity. She may be kneeling before a crucifix or standing, and the wound from the thorn in her forehead will be shown. Play Ball! [[In-content Ad]] Now, to a lesser extent, and in a much less formal way, St. Rita is also considered to be the patron saint of baseball. By seeking her intercession and guidance, we can experience the specific miracles attributed to Saint Rita in the world of baseball and cultivate a deeper sense of faith and spirituality in our lives. At her canonization ceremony, she was bestowed the title of Patroness of Impossible Causes, while in many Catholic countries, Rita came to be known as the patroness of abused wives and heartbroken women. The bells in the church in Cascia began to sound on their own, without the help of human hands. At the beginning of every inning he would bend down and scratch something in the dirt. Fast-forward to 1920. Patron Saint of impossible causes, sickness, wounds, marital problems, abuse, and mothers. Saint Rita, mystical Rose of every virtue, pray for us. She implored her three patron saints (John the Baptist, Augustine of Hippo, and Nicholas of Tolentino) to assist her, and she set about the task of establishing peace between the hostile parties of Cascia. St. Christopher/Baseball medal with a St. Cristopher Prayer Card, St. Christopher/Softball medal with a St. Cristopher Prayer Card. of Thy love and passion: grant, we ask You, by her merits and intercession, that we may love our enemies and ever contemplate with deep contrition the sorrows of Your Passion: Who lives and reigns world without end. After all, nothing is impossible for God. With the tender, compassionate heart of a person fully motivated by grateful love, she spoke of her willingness to relieve Christs suffering by sharing even the smallest part of his pain. You might be interested: Who Is The Saint Of Police Officers? Patron Saint of Baseball | Dodger Blue World God utilized her in extraordinary ways as a . Many women turn to her during times of despair, after a death in the family or even after a divorce. She raised her boys in the Christian faith, praying that they would be able to avoid the fighting and feuding that were a major part of the culture in which they lived. [6], The Augustinian Father Agostino Cavallucci from Foligno wrote the first biography of Rita based on oral tradition. Waynesville 2. Her sons died of dysentery a year later, which pious Catholics believe was God's answer to her prayer, taking them by natural death rather than risk them committing a mortal sin punishable by Hell. Rita's sons wished to avenge their father's murder. A Seed To Plant:Make it a point to make a connection with a child or teenager this week. She was visited by a cousin who asked her if she would like anything from her old home. St. Rita spent her years in the convent praying for the souls of her husband and sons, that they may find repose in the arms of God. Within a year, however, both sons succumbed to a deadly illness leaving Rita not only a widow, but also childless. As her sons grew, their characters began to change as Bernardo became their tutor. Both these men helped him become a better player and a better man; they werent afraid to live and share their faith and that made a difference. While there is no saint, officially designated by the Church as the patron saint of baseball there are a few contenders! Well, he grew up and hes playing his second year of baseball for Lansing Community College and along the way hes learned some great lessons and relied on some heavenly helpers. The work was composed long before her beatification, but the title page nevertheless refers to Rita as already blessed. Small Business. I also discovered an apocryphal tradition stating that the woman who caught Bobby Thomsons Shot Heard Round The World was a nun named Sister Helen Rita. Her spirit was surely with Bobby Thomson when his legendary shot heard around the world clinched the National League pennant for the New York Giants at the bottom of the ninth. Baseball is a very rich source of values and virtues that help us to become better people, training, practicing, discovering our limits without fear, struggling daily to improve.. St. Rita of Cascia is a unique saint, in that during her life she was a wife, a mother, and later, a nun. St. Sebastian was a Christian martyr who lived during the Roman Empire in the 3rd . Jason and Brendon played together several times over the years and Brendon taught Jason to love the game and play it for the fun of it. [4] St. Rita is often depicted holding roses or with roses nearby. Dear Rita, model wife and widow, you yourself suffered in a long illness showing patience out of love for God. She was able to resolve the conflicts between the families and, at the age of thirty-six, was allowed to enter the monastery. The rival family, astounded by this overture of peace, also agreed. Her mother, Amata Ferri, and her father, Antonio Lotti, were members of Conciliatore di Cristo (Peacemakers of Christ), who served through charitable works. May 22 is the feast day of St. Rita, an Augustinian nun from 14th-century Cascia, Italy. She asked God to remove her sons from the cycle of vendettas and prevent mortal sin and murder. When the nuns couldnt recover their investment, a local priest encouraged them to pray for the intercession of St. Rita, the patron saint of the impossible. Saint Rita Medal "Baseball Medal" - SacredMedals [12], Various religious symbols are related to Rita. Here was the answer to the nuns prayers. Why do Catholics call their priests father, when Jesus clearly commands us in Matthew 23:9 to Call no one on earth your father? Chain, St Rita of Cascia Tiny Charm 14 Karat Gold Filled, St Rita of Cascia Medal Sterling Silver Large, Engravable, St Rita of Cascia Medal 14 Karat Gold Filled Large, Engravable, St Rita Medal Sterling Silver with 18 in. Many women turn to her during times of despair, after a death in the family or even after a divorce. Her cousin was perplexed, since it was January certainly there would not be any flowers growing in the middle of winter! This depiction originates from the story of her baptism as an infant. Margerita Lotti, born in a small Italian village in 1381, dedicated her life to service. Rita, however, influenced by the peacemaking example of her parents, pledged to forgive her husbands killers. Patron saint medals featuring a variety of sports and saintly patrons, including St. Sebastian patron saint of athletes, St. Rita patron saint of baseball, St. Christopher Patron saint of travelers, along with Guardian Angel medals and more. St Rita: for the 'impossible causes' and baseball woes You can learn more about the shrine and plan a visit at their website, https://www.saintritashrine.org. Saint Medal Necklace. When I asked him what he was doing he smiled and said one of two things, if Im nervous or uptight I write BTN and if Im worried or struggling I write P413. He went on to explain that BTN are the initials of his teammate Brendon who died in a car crash his senior year.