St Rita, Avoiding Sin – May 22 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 22, 2023, on St Rita of Caccia, whose life exemplified how the greatest evil is sin that needs to be avoided at all costs.

She was born in Italy in 1381. Despite an early desire to become a nun, she married due to parental pressure. Rita endured an abusive and unhappy marriage for 18 years until her husband was killed. Concerned about the salvation of her husband's soul and her sons, who were planning to avenge their father's death, Rita prayed to God to take her sons' lives if there was no other way to save their souls. Both her sons later died, reconciled with God and at peace. With her family gone, Rita was able to pursue her original vocation. She joined the Augustinian nuns and lived there from 1413 to 1457, practicing heroic virtue and receiving mystical gifts. After her death in 1457, miracles were reported, leading to her canonization in 1900.

St. Rita exemplifies the belief that sin is the greatest evil due to its lasting effects and potential eternal consequences. Both mortal and venial sins should be avoided, as St. Rita did.

00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Rita's Early Life and Marriage
02:09 – Rita's Life as a Nun
02:44 – Rita's Canonization and Legacy
03:00 – The Greatest Evils in the World
03:54 – Avoiding Sin: Mortal and Venial
04:18 – Missio Immacalatae Magazine

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Rita of Cascia - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4610
Readings: Monday 7th Week of Easter - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052223.cfm
1st: act 19:1-8
Resp: psa 68:2-7
Gsp: joh 16:29-33

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1076&r=1727

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/kHh4tuiQvf/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fc_MMbHmHTo