Every May 22nd, Monachil is transformed. From very early in the morning, the faithful arrive from Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha and other corners of Spain to participate in the celebrations in honor of Saint Rita de Casiapatroness of the impossible. Friar Javier Hernandez, OARprior of the Augustinian Recollect convent and director of the centenary magazine magazine Santa Ritaopens for us the doors of this living devotion, marked by the hope of those who suffer and the the hope of those who suffer and the closeness of a saint who continues to work in daily life..
A devotion with deep roots
“Devotion to St. Rita in Monachil begins with the magazine.” explains Fray Javier. Before the convent existed, as early as 1906, the first issues were published from the community on Elvira Street, in Granada. When the house of Monachil was founded in 1914, the publication was transferred and since then, it has been the driving force for the diffusion of this devotion. the engine of diffusion of this popular devotion..
“Today, Santa Rita magazine is published every two months and has between 9,000 and 10,000 subscribers throughout Spain.”.
Throughout its more than 1,100 issues, the magazine has brought hope, testimonies and prayers to thousands of homes, making St. Rita a close presence for those going through difficult times. a close presence for those who are going through difficult times..
Monachil and Casia: twinned by a saint
Since 1999, Monachil and Casia are officially twinned officially twinned by their spiritual bond around Santa Rita. This act, promoted by the Brotherhood of Saint Rita of Monachil and supported by the Augustinian Recollect convent, was formalized with a ceremony in which it was reaffirmed that both localities share the same faith, the same the same faith, the same intercessor and the same mission: to give hope to the people of Monachil..
“This twinning symbolizes the communion between two peoples, two cultures and two histories united by the humble and close sanctity of St. Rita”.
A festival that mobilizes a people
The convent prepares in detail: Eucharist from eight in the morning, procession in the afternoon, music, fireworks and a large tent set up on the soccer field with a capacity for a thousand people.
“Many people come. Some arrive in organized buses. It is exciting to see the faith of those who are looking for Santa Rita because they understand that she lived the same as they did. “.
The prior emphasizes that the key is in the saint’s humanityShe was a daughter, wife, mother, widow and nun. And in each of these stages she suffered and struggled, which makes her a model for so many women and families who today face illness, breakups, economic or personal difficulties. a model for so many women and families today who face illness, breakups, economic or personal difficulties..
“St. Rita accompanied me since the novitiate.”
For Friar Xavier, this devotion is not only pastoral: it is personal. He recalls that, in his formative years, he chose to add the name of St. Rita to his religious identity.
“I called myself Javier Hernandez de Santa Rita, asking the saint to give me the miracle of persevering… and she did it.”.
She recognizes that it was not an easy road, but the spiritual closeness of the saint was always a consolation in hard times.. Today, as prioress, she sees every year how thousands of people find the same thing: consolation, faith and strength to continue.
St. Rita, light for those who seek hope
In a world marked by uncertainty, the devotion to Saint Rita is still alive, simple and luminous. From the convent of Monachil, the Augustinian Recollects welcome with joy all those who come looking for a bit of light in the midst of their impossible lives.. And they do it with the same faith of those who know that miracles do not always come as we expect them, but they do come when we trust as she did. when we trust as she does.
“St. Rita gives us guidance for the problems of life. That is her greatness. And that is why she continues to enlighten so many “.
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