Is it okay to pray the Novena of Saint Rita of Cascia?

Saint Rita, known in the Catholic Church as the “intercessor of the impossible” and “miracle worker,” was born in 1381 in Cascia, Italy. She was married at a young age, but after her husband and two children passed away, she chose to join a convent. Although she faced challenges, especially since she was already married (and not a virgin), she eventually succeeded in becoming a nun.

In Catholic tradition, Saint Rita’s prayers are said to bring answers, and she is often associated with a small wound on her forehead, believed to symbolize Christ’s suffering on the cross, specifically the crown of thorns. She passed away at around 75 or 76 years old.

On May 24, 1900, Pope Leo XIII officially declared her a saint, which means she met the criteria to be an intercessor for the living.

Since then, many Catholics around the world have been praying novenas and litanies to Saint Rita, claiming that their long-standing problems have been solved. This has made her very popular.

But is this practice truly supported by the Bible? It’s important to note that in the Bible, there’s no teaching that saints—whether from the past or present—can intercede on our behalf. Theologically, this contradicts the biblical understanding of Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity. According to 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV), “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Nowhere in Scripture are we told that saints, whether dead or alive, can intercede for us. In fact, the Bible teaches that the dead do not have knowledge of earthly matters.

We see this in:

Ecclesiastes 9:5 (NIV)

– “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.”

This verse makes it clear that the dead have no awareness of what is happening in the world. This contradicts the belief that saints in heaven can pray for us. Therefore, the practice of asking saints to intercede for us originates from traditions that are not biblical. It is based on pagan customs, where people believed spirits could communicate with the living. Theologically, this reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of death and the afterlife.

Saying this is not meant to criticize Catholics or promote hate. Rather, it’s about seeking the truth for our salvation. We all share the same goal—eternal life—and as Christians, our focus should be on Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man.

Now, you might wonder, what if you’ve prayed the Novena to Saint Rita and received answers? While it may seem like a solution, it’s still a form of idol worship.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV) says, “

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

Idol worship involves placing faith in things or beings other than God, and even if the prayers seem to provide answers, this practice still falls under the category of idolatry.

Remember, Satan can also provide answers to deceive people. This is not surprising because his aim is to distract us from the true source of salvation, which is Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) –

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

The truth is, there is only one intercessor between God and us: Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). Not Peter, Paul, Elijah, Mary, or Joseph. These saints, though honored, were also in need of salvation and pointed us to Jesus Christ, not to themselves. Theologically, this means that we should approach God only through Christ, who is the sole mediator.

Apostle Paul makes this clear:

1 Corinthians 1:13 (NIV) –

“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

In this verse, Paul reminds the church that Christ is the only one who should be the focus of our faith, not any human figure, including himself. Therefore, there’s no need to pray to any saint. The saints in heaven cannot pray for us, and we cannot pray for the souls of the dead either. This idea is not supported in the Bible. For example,

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV) says,

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,”

making it clear that after death, people face judgment and do not return to interact with the living.

Beliefs about purgatory, intercessions for the dead, and prayers to saints are not found in Scripture.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) say of Christ

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Jesus is the one who intercedes on our behalf, not any saint.

It’s crucial for us to read and understand the Bible, as it is the ultimate guide to truth. Religious traditions, while meaningful to many, are not always the same as God’s Word.

Mark 7:7 (NIV)

says, “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”

If we focus on human traditions rather than the teachings of Scripture, we risk following practices that lead us away from the true worship of God.

So, if you’ve been praying to Saint Rita or any other saint, it’s time to stop. Repent for any sins, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit, who will lead you into all truth

(John 16:13). Acts 4:12 (NIV) says,

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Only Jesus Christ can save us.

May God bless you.

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