The Collect for the Memorial of St. Rita, Virgin:
“Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, the wisdom and strength of the Cross, with which you were pleased to endow Saint Rita, so that, suffering in every tribulation with Christ, we may participate ever more deeply in his Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reign with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
The wisdom and strength of the Cross seem like foolishness and weakness to the world. Often enough, they seem like foolishness to us, so our prayer looks to the example of St. Rita and implores God to grant us these gifts. By “suffering every tribulation with Christ,” we could mean that we share in the same trials he faced. Or, we could mean that we suffer our own trials, but do so with Christ’s presence and help. Both meanings apply. This is one part of the wisdom of the Cross: with Christ, even suffering and pain are not wasted and lost because they give us a share in our own redemption through the Paschal Mystery.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Meditate on the reality of the cross. Where is it in your life? Do you embrace it as a path to holiness? Ask St. Rita to help you recognize the sweetness of suffering for or with Christ. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.
