Saint Rita of Cascia, Patroness of Impossible Causes

"Nothing is impossible to God" - St. Rita


feast day: May 22

about:
- born: 1381, Roccaporena, Perugia, Umbria, Italy
- died: 22 May 1457, Cascia, Perugia, Umbria, Italy
- patroness of impossible causes
- major shrine: Cascia, Italy
- attributes: forehead wound, Rose, Bees, grape vine
- born Margherita Lotti
- was an Italian Augustinian nun, widow and saint
- The marriage lasted for 18 years, during which she is remembered for her Christian values as a model wife and mother who made efforts to convert her husband from his abusive behavior. Upon the murder of her husband by another feuding family, she sought to dissuade her sons from revenge before their calamitous deaths.
- She subsequently joined an Augustinian community of religious sisters, where she was known both for practicing mortification of the flesh and for the efficacy of her prayers. St. Rita is venerated due to various miracles attributed to her intercession, and is often portrayed with a bleeding wound on her forehead, which the Roman Catholic Church states she experienced as a partial stigmata.
-  The Roman Catholic Church, under the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII officially canonized Rita on May 24, 1900, while her feast day is celebrated every May 22. At her canonization ceremony, she was bestowed the title of Patroness of Impossible Causes while in many pious Catholic countries, Rita came to be known to be as patroness for abused wives and heartbroken women.
- also called Margarita
- She expressed from an early age the desire to become a nun. Her elderly parents insisted that she be married at the age of twelve to a man described in accounts of her life as cruel and harsh. She spent eighteen extremely unhappy years, had two sons, and was finally widowed when her husband was killed in a brawl. Both sons also died, and Rita, still anxious to become a nun, tried unsuccessfully to enter the Augustinians in their convent at Cascia. She was refused because she was a widow and because of the requirement that all sisters should be virgins. Finally, in 1413, the order gave her entry, and she earned fame for her austerity, devotion to prayer, and charity.
In the midst of chronic illnesses, she received visions and wounds on her forehead which resembled the crown of thorns. She died on May 22 at Cascia, and many miracles were reported instantly. Canonized in 1900, she is honored in Spain as La Santa de los Impossibles and elsewhere as a patron saint of hopeless causes.


--------
NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINT RITA
source: http://www.santaritadacascia.org/prayers/preghiere-ritiane-novena.php
note:  The Novena in honour of St. Rita is recited in its entirety every day, alone or together with other persons.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

1. We honour you, O Saint of Cascia, for your fidelity to your baptismal vows. Intercede for us with the Lord so that we may live with joy and coherency our vocation to holiness, overcoming evil with good..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end amen. Amen.

2. We honour to you, O glorious Saint Rita, for your testimony of love for prayer in all the ages of life. Help us to remain united to Jesus because without Him we cannot do anything and only by invoking his name can we be saved..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end amen. Amen.

3. We honour you, O saint of forgiveness, for the strength and courage that you have demonstrated in the more tragic moments of your life. Intercede for us with the Lord so that we may overcome every doubt and fear, believing in the victory of love even in the most difficult situations..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end amen. Amen.

4. We honour you, O Saint Rita, expert of family life, for the example of virtue that you have left us: as a daughter, spouse and mother, as a widow and nun. Help us so that everyone of us may value the gifts received from God, sowing hope and peace through the fulfilment of our daily duties..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end amen. Amen.

5. We honour you, O saint of the thorn and the rose, for your humble and true love for Jesus crucified. Help us to repent of our sins and to love him with facts and in the truth..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end amen. Amen.

LITANY PRAYER 

The fruit of the Spirit is love.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is peace.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is joy.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is patience.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is forgiveness.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is purity.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is mastery of oneself.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

The fruit of the Spirit is hope.
You, Rita, have lived it.

(all) Obtain it for us.

 

(pray Our Father)


FINAL PRAYER 

Lord Jesus, today, through the hands of Saint Rita, we present you with our personal situations and our immense desire for the good of our families and our communities.
Send upon us, O Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, so that our attitudes and our words, like those of Saint Rita, may be inspired by your Gospel and guided by your grace.
You are God and live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen
By the intercession of Saint Rita may God bless us, Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.


--------
TRADITIONAL PRAYER TO SAINT RITA
source: http://www.catholictradition.org/Cascia/rita6.htm

O Holy Patroness of those in need, St. Rita, whose pleadings before thy Divine Lord are almost irresistible, who for thy lavishness in granting favors hast been called the Advocate of the Hopeless and even of the Impossible; St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so mortified, so patient and of such compassionate love for thy Crucified Jesus that thou couldst obtain from Him whatsoever thou askest, on account of which all confidently have recourse to thee expecting, if not always relief, at least comfort; be propitious to our petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy suppliant; be lavish to us, as thou hast been in so many wonderful cases, for the greater glory of God, for the spreading of thine own devotion, and for the consolation of those who trust in thee.

 We promise, if our petition is granted, to glorify thee by making know thy favor, to bless and sing thy praises forever. Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray thee grant that

(here mention your request).

By the singular merits of thy childhood,  
     Obtain for us our request.
By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,
By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,
By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband,
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God,
By the miraculous entrance into the convent,
By thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings,
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of thy Crucified Savior,
                    By the Divine love which consumed thy heart,
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, 
on which alone thou didst exist for four   years,
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse,
By the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state of life.
Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O God, Who in Thine infinite tenderness hast vouchsafed to regard the prayer of Thy servant, Blessed Rita, and dost grant to her supplication that which is impossible to human foresight, skill and efforts, in reward of her compassionate love and firm reliance on Thy promise, have pity on our adversity and succor us in our calamities, that the unbeliever may know Thou art the recompense of the humble, the defense of the helpless, and the strength of those who trust in Thee, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.


--------
INTERCESSORY PRAYER TO SAINT RITA (for a special intention)
source: http://www.saintrita.com/Prayer.html

Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient.  Your pleadings with your divine Son are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you:  
(mention your petition here). 
Be kind to me for the greater glory of God, and I shall honor you and sing your praises forever.  Glorious Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in  the  sorrowful  passion  of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of life, and protect me in all my needs.  Amen.


--------
PRAYER TO SAINT RITA
source: http://www.catholictradition.org/Cascia/rita6.htm

O holy protectress of those who art in greatest need, thou who shineth as a star of hope in the midst of darkness, blessed Saint Rita, bright mirror of God's grace, in patience and fortitude thou art a model of all the states in life. 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. Through the merits of the holy Virgin Mary and thine own graces and virtues, I ask thee to obtain my earnest petition, provided it be for the greater glory of God and my own sanctification. 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.

(mention your request.)

Saint Rita, advocate of the impossible, pray for us. 
Saint Rita, advocate of the helpless, pray for us. 

(Our Father 3x)
(Hail Mary 3x)
(Glory Be 3x) 
--------


links/ sources:
- "Rita of Cascia" (Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_of_Cascia
- "St. Rita of Cascia" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13064a.htm
- "St. Rita of Cascia" (American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1391
- "St. Rita of Cascia" (Catholic Online):
   http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4610
- "Saint Rita, Widow - 1457" (EWTN):
   http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/RITA.htm
- "Novena to Saint Rita" (Santa Rita Da Cascia):
   http://www.santaritadacascia.org/prayers/preghiere-ritiane-novena.php

Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor

feast day: April 29

patronage: fire prevention

about:
- born: 25 March 1347, Siena
- died: 29 April 1380, Rome
- attributes: Dominican tertiaries' habit, lily, book, crucifix, heart, crown of thorns, stigmata, ring, dove, rose, skull, miniature church, miniature ship bearing Papal coat of arms
- as a child, she had mystical experiences, seeing guardian angels of others.
- one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day
- she continued to have visions of Christ, Mary and the Saints
- she was given the stigmata which became visible after her death
- She entered the Dominican Third Order at 18 and spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer and austerity. Gradually a group of followers gathered around her—men and women, priests and religious. An active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life. Her letters, mostly for spiritual instruction and encouragement of her followers, began to take more and more note of public affairs. Opposition and slander resulted from her mixing fearlessly with the world and speaking with the candor and authority of one completely committed to Christ. She was cleared of all charges at the Dominican General Chapter of 1374.
- The works of St. Catherine of Siena rank among the classics of the Italian language, written in the beautiful Tuscan vernacular of the fourteenth century. Notwithstanding the existence of many excellent manuscripts, the printed editions present the text in a frequently mutilated and most unsatisfactory condition. Her writings consist of

• the "Dialogue", or "Treatise on Divine Providence";
• a collection of nearly four hundred letters; and
• a series of "Prayers".

The "Dialogue" especially, which treats of the whole spiritual life of man in the form of a series of colloquies between the Eternal Father and the human soul (represented by Catherine herself), is the mystical counterpart in prose of Dante's "Divina Commedia". 
- her letters are considered the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church

links/ sources:
- "Catherine of Siena" (Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Siena
- "St. Catherine of Siena" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03447a.htm
- "St. Catherine of Siena" (Catholic Online):
   https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=9
- "St. Catherine of Siena" (American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1368
- "Saint Catherine of Siena Virgin" (EWTN):
   https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/CATSIENA.HTM

Saint Francis of Assisi

feast day: October 4

patron of:
- animals, merchants and ecology


about:
- born in 1181
- died 4 October 1226 at age 45
- Italian: San Francesco d'Assisi 
- born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but nicknamed Francesco ("the Frenchman") by his father
- founder of the Order of Friars Minor also known as the Franciscan Order
- was the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history
- abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian Church and live in poverty
- He is considered as the first Italian poet by literary critics. He believed commoners should be able to pray to God in their own language, and he wrote often in the dialect of Umbria instead of Latin. His writings are considered to have great literary and religious value.
- He did try to convert the sultan of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade 
- On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death." He sang Psalm 141, and at the end asked his superior to have his clothes removed when the last hour came and for permission to expire lying naked on the earth, in imitation of his Lord
- The anonymous 20th-century prayer "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace" is widely but erroneously attributed to St. Francis.


main writings:

• Canticum Fratris Solis or Laudes Creaturarum; Canticle of the Sun.
• Prayer before the Crucifix, 1205 (extant in the original Umbrian dialect as well as in a contemporary Latin translation);
• Regula non bullata, the Earlier Rule, 1221;
• Regula bullata, the Later Rule, 1223;
• Testament, 1226;
• Admonitions.

-----------------------------------------
THE PEACE PRAYER / THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS 
source: http://www.shrinesf.org/franciscan-prayer.html

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

-----------------------------------------
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis

The first-known publication of the prayer was submitted anonymously to the French publication La Clochette in 1912.

Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de votre paix.

Là où il y a de la haine, que je mette l'amour.

Là où il y a l'offense, que je mette le pardon.

Là où il y a la discorde, que je mette l'union.

Là où il y a l'erreur, que je mette la vérité.

Là où il y a le doute, que je mette la foi.

Là où il y a le désespoir, que je mette l'espérance.

Là où il y a les ténèbres, que je mette votre lumière.

Là où il y a la tristesse, que je mette la joie.

Ô Maître, que je ne cherche pas tant à être consolé qu'à consoler,

à être compris qu'à comprendre,

à être aimé qu'à aimer,

car c'est en donnant qu'on reçoit,

c'est en s'oubliant qu'on trouve, c'est en pardonnant qu'on est pardonné,

c'est en mourant qu'on ressuscite à l'éternelle vie.

 One of the numerous English translations of the Prayer is reproduced below:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is discord, harmony;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

-----------------------------------------

links/ sources:
- PRAYERS of SAINT FRANCIS (source: National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, San Francisco, CA)
   http://www.shrinesf.org/franciscan-prayer.html
- "PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS" (source: Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis  
- "Canticle of the Sun" (also known as the "Canticle of the Creatures" or "Laudes Creaturarum" ("Praise of the Creatures") (source: Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canticle_of_the_Sun
- "SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, FOUNDER OF THE FRIARS MINOR, CONFESSOR—1181-1226" (source: EWTN):
   https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/FRANCIS.HTM 
- "Francis of Assisi" (source: Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

- "Who was St. Francis?" (source: American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/who_was.asp 
- "St. Francis of Assisi" (source: Catholic Online):
   http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50
- "St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Animals" (source: About Religion):
   http://angels.about.com/od/MiraclesReligiousTexts/p/Francis-Of-Assisi-Miracle-Man-And-Patron-Saint-Of-Animals.htm
- "St. Francis of Assisi" (source: Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm
- "St. Francis of Assisi" (source: Bio):
   http://www.biography.com/people/st-francis-of-assisi-21152679  
- "Stigmata" (source: Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmata

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

feast day: September 23

patron of:
- civil defense volunteers
- adolescents

about:
- born Francesco Forgione
- commonly known as Padre Pio
-  25 May 25 1887 – 23 September 1968
- he became famous for bearing the stigmata for most of his life
- a Franciscan priest, stigmatist, and a mystic of the Roman Catholic Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin
- had a gift of healing, bilocation, levitation and supernatural knowledge
- Those close to him attest that he began to manifest several spiritual gifts including the gifts of healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both sleep and nourishment (one account states that Padre Agostino recorded one instance in which Padre Pio was able to subsist for at least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Eucharist without any other nourishment), the ability to read hearts, the gift of tongues, the gift of conversions, and the fragrance from his wounds.
- At the time of Padre Pio's death, his body appeared unwounded, with no sign of scarring. There was a report that doctors who examined his body found it empty of all blood.
- He was often heard to say, "After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death."


quotes:
- "The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain."
- "Through the study of books one seeks God; by meditation one finds Him."
- "The person who meditates and turns his mind to God, who is the mirror of his soul, seeks to know his faults, tries to correct them, moderates his impulses, and puts his conscience in order."
- "I want to be only a poor friar who prays - if God sees blemishes even in the angels, can you imagine what He sees in me!" 
- "Don't let temptations frighten you. They are the trials of those souls whom God wants to put to the test when he sees them strong enough to sustain the battle, weaving with their own hands the crown of glory. Up to now your life has been that of an infant, now the Lord wants to treat you as an adult. And as the trials of adult life are much greater than those of an infant, this is why you find yourself rather disorganized in the beginning. But the soul will acquire its calm and the calm will not delay in coming. Be patient a while longer and everything will work out well!"
- "After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death."

--------------------

PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF ST. PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA

Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
   St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit.
   You marked his body with the five wounds
   of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
   to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.
   Endowed with the gift of discernment,
   St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
   for the salvation of souls.
   With reverence and intense devotion
   in the celebration of Mass,
   he invited countless men and women
   to a greater union with Jesus Christ
   in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
   I confidently beseech You to grant me
   the grace of (here state your petition).    Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be, world without end. 

Amen  (Say three times)

--------------------

 A PRAYER FOR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S MERCY

 O Lord,
   we ask for a boundless confidence
   and trust in Your divine mercy,
   and the courage to accept
   the crosses and sufferings
   which bring immense goodness
   to our souls and that of Your Church.

Help us to love You
   with a pure and contrite heart,
   and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross,
   as we climb the mountain of holiness,
   carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.

May we receive You
   with great faith and love in Holy Communion,
   and allow You to act in us as You desire
   for your greater glory.

O Jesus, most adorable Heart
   and eternal fountain of Divine Love,
   may our prayer find favor before
   the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.

--------------------

links/ sources:
- "Padre Pio Da Pietrelcina" (source: Vatican):
    http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20020616_padre-pio_en.html

- "Pio of Pietrelcina" (source:Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pio_of_Pietrelcina
- "Padre Pio Biography" (source: EWTN):
   https://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/man/biography.htm
- "Saint Pio of Pietrelcina" (source: Padre Pio website):
   http://www.padrepio.catholicwebservices.com/ENGLISH/ENGLISH_index.htm
- "Novena to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina" (source: Padre Pio website):
   http://www.padrepio.catholicwebservices.com/ENGLISH/Novena.htm
- "Prayers of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina" (source: Christian Miracles):
   http://www.christian-miracles.com/prayersofpadrepio.htm
- "St. Pio of Pietrelcina" (source:American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1147
- "St. Padre Pio" (source: Catholic Online):
   http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=311
- "Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: A Short Biography of the Padre" (source: Catholicism):
   http://catholicism.org/saint-pio-of-pietrelcina.html
- "Serving the Holy Mass of Padre Pio" (posted 1 May 2014) (source: The Shield of Faith):
   http://divinefiat.blogspot.com/2014/05/serving-holy-mass-of-padre-pio.html
- "Padre Pio on the Holy Mass" (posted 7 May 2012) (source: Infallible Catholic):
   http://infallible-catholic.blogspot.com/2012/05/padre-pio-on-holy-mass.html

---------------------
12 Sept. (Fri)- as i typed the words on one of Padre Pio's quotes as above ("Don't let temptations frighten you. They are the trials of those souls whom God wants to put to the test when he sees them strong enough to sustain the battle, weaving with their own hands..."), i heard a noise outside the main door of our house. it's like as if something like a foot (the size of a big dog) with a thick cloth covering kicked it softly twice (a loud one and then a not so loud one). it sent shivers down my spine/being and felt like my head grew bigger... i prayed and put on the rosary. i just realized that this battle isn't over yet... my opponent seems to feed on fear...hmmm... it knows that i'm a coward...  =(

23 Sept. (Tue 9am)- i attended a healing mass today, feast of Padre Pio. my mother told me that she had a couple of dreams the night before we attended this healing mass. she dreamt of a priest healing her. she knows Padre Pio but is not familiar with how he looks like. when she saw Padre Pio's statue in front of the altar, she told me that the priest that she dreamt about looked like Padre Pio's statue. during communion, one of the elders in our community asked me to assist in praying over those who will get slain and help them stand up after they have rested in the spirit. i did as i was told. for some strange reason, my hand moved as if it had a mind of its own on some people when i prayed over those who got slain during the healing process. at times i felt my palms releasing some sort of a mild energy and at the same time i felt a bit heavy as if i was absorbing some negative energies from those people whom i was praying for. when the entire healing process was nearly finished, i stood in front of the altar near the statue of Padre Pio as i too seek to be healed. there were a couple of persons who wanted to stand closer to the healing priest so they can get healed. i thought maybe their need is more urgent than mine so i moved a few steps farther away to give them some space. when i looked up, i saw Padre Pio's statue. his eyes were looking straight at mine. i thought i won't be able to be healed as the healing priest was already letting other people touch/kiss Padre Pio's relic (a small piece of cloth which used to cover Padre Pio's hand when he was still alive). when the priest annointed me with Padre Pio's relic, i felt so light like paper and immediately got slain. i didn't even feel the hands of those catchers who assisted me when i fell flat on the floor. while i rested in the spirit, i felt a very warm energy around my head and shoulder areas. my eyes got filled with tears. i didn't want to open them as the tears will fall. after resting in the spirit, i got up and prayed a while inside the church and my tears rolled down. when we got home at exactly 12 noon, my family prayed the Angelus. while eating lunch, the middle part of my palms felt weird as if something unseen is pressing on it. the feeling continued so i prayed the prayer to Padre Pio and then prayed the Holy Rosary at 3pm. i thought maybe i'm just tired so i slept. when i woke up in the afternoon, the same feeling was still there. it's now 10pm and this weird feeling remains on both my palms. i don't know/understand what it is...it's been 3 days now, my palms still feel a bit prickly at certain parts of the day as if it has an invisible blister on it. i do hope this will go away...

Saint Rita de Cascia