L'Orto
del Miracolo (The Garden of the Miracle)
Not too far from the house is the barren little garden
that belonged to the Saint which can be reached by a handy path; according to
tradition, it was here, in January 1447, in the snow and ice, that a sweet-scented
rose blossomed and two figs ripened and were taken by an elderly female relative
to the sick Saint. The garden is over-looked by two rocks that form a cavity
like a cave: the faithful have placed in the cavity a cross, a group of bronze
statues and the following inscription: "in the most bitter cold of winter, everything
being covered with snow, a kind woman and relative of Rita, came to visit her.
Before leaving, she asked Rita if there was anything she needed: Rita answered
that she would like to have a rose and two figs from her garden. The good woman
smiled thinking that she was delirious for the violence of her pain and went
away. Backed home, the woman entered the garden, and there, amongst the thorns,
stripped of every leaf and covered with snow she saw a beautiful rose, and on
the tree were two ripe figs, she was astonished for the change in season and,
considering the bitterness of that cold climate, having seen the miraculous
flower and the fruit, she picked them, and took them to Rita". (From the short
tale, Rome, 1628, p.23). The group of statues is by the sculptor Rodolfo Maleci
and represents the infirmed S. Rita receiving the rose from her elderly relative.
The expression of wonder of the woman, spectator to such a miracle, the attitude
of serene resignation of the ill woman and the delicacy and the gentleness of
the lines make this one of the best works of the artist.