St. Rita of Cascia Parish Hosts Annual Fiesta de Santa Rita

Every May for the past six years, St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Chicago has hosted a multi-day fiesta in honor of its patron St. Rita, whose feast day is celebrated May 22. The celebration is both about the parish's Augustinian heritage and also about celebrating the culture of the parish community.

The event includes multiple days of prayer, confessions, anointing of the sick, bi-lingual masses, and the distribution of blessed roses on the feast day itself. The parish festival includes performances from popular musical acts, food and drink from local restaurants, and opportunities to shop and support local vendors selling jewelry, clothes, and other products.

"In one phrase, it is a feast of faith, love, culture, and tradition," says Fr. Homero Sánchez, O.S.A., Pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Parish. "This year is more special than ever now that our two churches of St. Rita and St. Clare gather together to celebrate this multigenerational celebration. Usually, the Fiestas Committee chooses to bring a few musical groups that are known and familiar to more than four generations! We can see that what we celebrate in our faith, we celebrate with our festival: Unity, Love, and Faith."