On August 27, the Feast of St. Monica, devotees from The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and The National Shrine of St. John Neumann traveled together by bus for a Holy Year pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.

Pilgrims of Hope

The bus trip to Saint Rita’s Shrine was organized as part of the ongoing Pilgrim’s Passport collaboration among the three Philadelphia shrines during this Jubilee Year.

The daylong pilgrimage included:

• Bus transportation
• A tour of Saint Rita’s Shrine by their staff and volunteers
• The opportunity for Confession in a peaceful, prayerful space
• Rosary prayer and Holy Mass, including a special blessing with relics of St. Monica and St. Augustine
• Novena to Saint Rita, offered immediately after Mass
• Lunch and fellowship
• Time to browse the gift shop, select a devotional keepsake, and obtain a Pilgrim’s Passport stamp from Saint Rita’s Shrine.

After the Mass and Procession, pilgrims shared a meal and had time to talk and exchange their thoughts about the day with each other.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Monica

The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia operates under the auspices of the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, so it was most fitting that the Feast of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, was chosen as the day to celebrate and pilgrimage to the shrine.

At the beginning of the noon Mass, Executive Director Jonathan Jerome welcomed the congregation and thanked the pilgrims for attending. Assistant Shrine Director Fr. Robert J. Guessetto, OSA, presided over the Mass, which was concelebrated with fellow Augustinian friars; Basilica Shrine Rector Fr. John Kettelberger, CM; and St. John Neumann Shrine Directors Very Rev. John Kingsbury, CSsR, DMin.

During the homily, Deacon Olindo Memmilli shared the story of St. Monica with the congregation. Memmilli said, “St. Monica is the epitome of prayer, patience, persistence, perseverance. She was determined. Monica was very faithful, very dedicated, charitable, peaceful. A holy, virtuous woman … ask her for her prayers to help us by her example.”

Pilgrims from the Basilica Shrine

Beatrice Rolland is a Marian devotee who serves as a Basilica Shrine ambassador. She came on the trip to complete her Jubilee Year pilgrimage. “I’ve been here at the [Saint Rita’s] shrine many times. Today, I’ve enjoyed learning more about Saint Rita thanks to our tour. Each time I come here, I learn a little bit more.”

Rolland was glad that her friend Rose Kennedy took part in the pilgrimage too. Rolland said, “I’m the one to say, ‘Hey, the shrine is doing something!’ I’m always keeping them aware of what The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is doing.”

Saint Rita of Cascia is known as the Patroness of Impossible Causes in the Catholic Church. Kennedy said that was a reason to come on the pilgrimage. She commented, “I guess I came because Saint Rita is ‘in charge of’ impossibilities, and I have two. I hope she’s up to it! So, we’ll see.”

Kennedy also said she enjoyed Saint Rita’s Shrine and her time there. “I loved it all. “It was just—the shrine, the church, the altar—oh, it’s just beautiful!”

The Pilgrim’s Passport Continues
While the Basilica Shrine’s sponsored pilgrimages to Saint Rita’s Shrine and St. John Neumann’s Shrine have ended, we invite you to take part in our Pilgrim’s Passport through the end of the year. We also invite you to explore our autumn events and services and to visit the Basilica Shrine soon.

Photo: Beatrice Rolland (left) and Rose Kennedy (right) at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.