Saint
Rita's Sanctuary
The sanctuary, designed by the architect Oreste Della
Piana di Alba, was built on the outskirts of the village. It was consecrated
and opened to the public in 1948. Constructed in Romanesque style, it characterises
the simplicity and poverty that portrayed the humble piety of the Saint. On
the outside the building is covered in polished local stone; in the centre of
the fountain in the courtyard there is a bronze statue of the Saint as a commoner
- inaugurated on June 16th 1968, it is by the Roman sculptor Venanzo Crocetti,
who chose to portray the Saint during her early years, in the bloom of maternity.
This is expressed through the magnificence of the strength of the imagery, as
in the sway of the folds of the dress over the bosom and stomach. A celestial
vision appears to carry the woman, with her arms thrown open, off to the Augustine
convent in Cascia. The inside of the sanctuary has a nave and two aisles, with
the outer walls supporting the gallery. The flooring is made of porphyritic
stone and the banisters and altar are made of precious marble. The apse area
is covered with mosaics from designs by the architect Della Piana, executed
by the painter Ermanno Politi of Turin and interpreted by the mosaicist Giordano
Righini of the same city (1967). This unique work, is probably the best expression
of modern art in the churches of the area, both for the conception of the work
and for the tonality of the colours and the expression of the images; adapted
perfectly to the style of the church, it does not disturb but rather enhances
the surroundings. The Crucified Christ occupies a prime position; it is accompanied
by the outline of the Holy Mother and Saint Rita struck by the thorn, with her
arms crossed over her chest and gazing towards the Redeemer; in the background
we see the Saints Agostino and Nicola da Tolentino; to the left of the Augustinian,
the Saints John the Baptist and Montano. High above the cross, can be seen the
Holy Spirit and the Eternal Father in the act of showing humanity the price
of redemption. In the upper curve of the arch these words, written in gold,
address Saint with roses and trailing grapes. On the altar, is a bronze tabernacle
with the Risen Christ, the Emmaus Supper, Abel's Offering and the Wedding at
Canaan. On the sidewalls of the room Rita: IUXTA CRUCEM RITA VULNERATA A CHRISTO
DOMINO CORONATUR. The walls of the presbytery are adorned are some full figures
of (to the left) Saints Francis of Assisi and Clara, and (to the right), Saints
Benedetto and Scolastica. On the left is written: SPINARUM ACULEOS EXPERTA RITA
VICTRICEM CORONAM MERERIS / A MYSTICIS APIBUS DULCETUDINEM IN TUOS PROXIMOS
RITA DOCERIS; and on the right: ROSARUM TUARUM ODORE ALLECTI AD TE RITA UNDIQUE
CURRUNT FIDELES / A TE DISCANT OMNES QUOMODO CHRISTUM SANTESANTE SEQUANTUR.
In the small chapel, inside a silver container, rests the leather cloak worn
by the Saint during the cold seasons. In the stained glass windows we can see
Saint Rita flanked by the Saints Agostino and Giacomo della Marca, by the Milanese
painter Angela Panigali (1966); by the same artist, in the stained glass windows
of the small chapel, we can see the Madonna between the Saints Benedetto and
Vincenzo Pallotti, the native Saint George of Cascia.