On Friday, May 22, 2026, the triduum for the feast of Saint Rita of Cascia concluded at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity – Shrine of Most Holy Mary Liberatrix, Protectress of the City of Viterbo and Patroness of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. The people of Viterbo have long manifested a deep devotion toward Saint Rita, also owing to the centuries-old presence of the Augustinian Order in the city.
According to tradition, and at the invitation of the Augustinian Fathers, a representation of the Delegation, led by the Delegate, Nob. Avv. Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, together with the Vice Delegate and Treasurer, Dott. Sandro Calista, Knight of Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, participated at 6:30 p.m. in the solemn celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Father Luigi Fabbri, Vicar General of the Diocese of Viterbo, concelebrated by Father Vito Logoteto, OSA, Prior of the Augustinian Community, and Father Flavio Valeri, Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart and Forane Vicar.
The solemn festivities in honour of the great Augustinian saint, deeply cherished also by the members of the Constantinian Order, served as an invitation for devotion to be translated into daily life. Whenever the feast of a saint is celebrated, there is always the risk of keeping them at a distance, thinking that their holiness is unattainable for us, whereas holiness is truly meant for everyone. Thus, the love that the Constantinian Knights bear toward Saint Rita encourages them to take a further step toward that goal.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the celebrants, escorted by the Constantinian Knights, proceeded in procession to the altar of Saint Rita for the recitation of the prayer and hymn dedicated to the saint.
The Knights and postulants of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation, at the request of the Augustinian Fathers, also provided steward service throughout the entire day, together with parish volunteers, welcoming the faithful devoted to the great Augustinian thaumaturge in the church and convent cloister. In addition, they carried out liturgical service during the Holy Masses celebrated both in the morning and in the afternoon.
In his homily, Father Luigi Fabbri, after greeting the faithful and especially the Constantinian Knights, reflected upon the meaning of the Christian people’s devotion to Saint Rita. He presented the saint as a model of profound union with Jesus Christ and a spiritual guide for the faithful. He emphasized that saints should not be regarded as ends in themselves, but rather as friends and elder brothers and sisters who lead us to Christ. Although Saint Rita’s name does not appear in the Liturgy of the Word, her life fully embodied the message of the Word of God.
Indeed, the saint lived in prayer, hidden sacrifice, and loving participation in the Passion of Christ, symbolized by the thorn on her forehead. Recalling the words of the Gospel — “I am the vine and you are the branches” — Father Fabbri stressed that, like Saint Rita, Christians too must remain united with Jesus through Faith and prayer, the source of spiritual life. Saint Paul likewise exhorts believers to persevere in prayer, indispensable for maintaining this bond with Christ. For this reason, Father Fabbri described the feast of Saint Rita above all as a day of intense prayer and renewed communion with the Lord.
The devotion of the Constantinian Knights toward Saint Rita has always remained steadfast. Worth recalling is the pilgrimage carried out on October 17, 2015, by the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation together with a representation of the Marche and Romagna Delegation, attended also by the late President of the Royal Commission for Italy, H.E. Duke Don Diego de Vargas Machuca. During the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by the Most Reverend Giovanni D’Ercole, then Bishop of Ascoli Piceno and Knight Grand Cross Chaplain of Merit of the Constantinian, the mantles of the new Knights were blessed.
