turned to her three patron saints to intercede for her.
After the third refusal by the nuns, Rita recognized that
she herself must put their fears to rest. She approached
Paolo’s family, as well as their rivals, and persuaded
them to put an end to their hostility and to live in peace.
The example of her own forgiving spirit, no doubt, was
an inspiration and - perhaps an embarrassment to them.
The families were reconciled. They signed a document to
this effect, and when Rita presented the document to the
nuns, they no longer had reason to refuse her. Rita Lotti
Mancini now became Sister Rita.
For the next forty years Rita lived the life of an
Augustinian Nun, according to the Rule of the saint she
had chosen years before as her spiritual father, Saint
Augustine of Hippo. His was a gentle Rule which invited
the members of the community to strive in every way
possible to achieve communion of mind and heart with
God and one another. Her days were spent in prayer and
contemplation, in service to the sick and the poor, and in
activities necessary to support the life of the small
community.
After twenty-five years of religious life, Rita was given
what she considered a most treasured and singular gift
from God. Always devoted to Jesus crucified, her desire
constantly grew to share in His great act of love for her
and for all humanity by helping to carry His cross.
One day as she knelt in prayer, her forehead was
pierced by a violent wound, a thorn from the crown that
covered Jesus’ own head. She bore this wound for
fifteen years until the day of her death.
For the last several years of her life Rita was confined
to bed. The last of the many crosses she was presented
in life was now the humbling condition of an invalid,
totally dependent upon the charity of her sisters. Finally,
on May 22,1457 Rita’s life on earth came to an end.
The various crosses she had born as wife, widow,
mother and nun were now put aside once and for all as
she met the embrace of her Risen Lord.
Pray for the Sick and Homebound of our Parish
Joshua Basile, Dianne Burrell, Tom Case,
Bernadette Choo, Bernadette Hong Choo,
Catherine Choo, Jonathan Choo, Bryan Cox,
Dona Curry, Flora DeLeon, Betsabe deSoto,
Marjorie Dolak, Eileen Drennan, Christa Drummond,
Marilyn Flynn, Gerald Green, Brian Hack, Ed Kondracki,
John Larounis, Carol McCarty, Susan McQuade,
Peter Michalski, John Spencer, K.L. Sypal,
Chick Wilson, Jan Wouters, Anthony Yantiss
Pray for Those Who have Fallen Asleep in Christ
James Anthony, Maryann Barron, Philip Calanchini,
Joe Cassella, Peter Choo, John Connor, Moira Connor,
Bill Corr, Jean Driggers, Br. David Eddy, George Gibson,
Bill Hale, Carol Jones, Mary Elizabeth Jones,
Joan Keller, Rector Craig Merkel, Gloria Ross
Pray for our Armed Forces Personnel
Patrick Bouchoux, Jordan Bowren, Brendan Dunne,
Mark Falcon, Christopher Frediani, Michael Holtz,
Brian Horn, Kathleen Mahoney, Josh Moore,
Matthew O’Neil, Mathew Rowell, Justin Smallwood
The