St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church 7100 Jefferson Highway Harahan, LA 70123 (504) 737-2915 Fr. Herbert J. Kiff, Pastor St. Rita Catholic School 194 Ravan Avenue Harahan, LA 70123 (504) 737-0744 Dr. Melanie B. Verges, Principal

St. Rita of Cascia is known as the Patroness of Impossible Causes. She was the only child of an elderly, very devout, couple and was born in Cascia, itlay in 1381. In her life Rita was a wife and mother. After her husband was murdered and both of her sons died, she was finally admitted to the convent and professed her religious vows as an Augustine nun. The crucified Christ was the center of her spirituality and prayer throughout her life. In 1441, after hearing a sermon on the Crown of thorns, she received a wound to her forehead from a thorn while she was in prayer. She suffered with the wound for the rest of her life. She died in 1457 on May 22 (her feast day), her body remains uncorrupted. She was canonized in 1900.