St. Rita “Twinning” - Chicago Visits Cascia

Jun 5

Written By Rory Dayton

In March 2026, St. Rita Parish in Chicago hosted a special delegation from Italy for a "twinning" with the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia, Italy. The ceremony included the lighting of the Torch of Forgiveness and Peace.

Members of the Italian delegation included the Rector of the Basilica of St. Rita, the Mayor of Cascia, the President of the Province of Perugia, and the Italian Consul who is stationed in Chicago. There were also several officials from Chicago, including the Chicago Deputy of Religious Affairs and a few Aldermen.

The Archdiocese of Chicago recently posted a video of the event as below:

Along with the event at St. Rita Parish, the delegation from Italy also visited Holy Name Cathedral and the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.

To see more pictures of all the special events that the Italian delegation took part in, please click here

In return, in May 2026, a delegation of Chicagoans visited Cascia, Italy, as well as several other locations that were important to St. Rita, as well as visiting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

Fr. Homero Sanchez at the General Audience with Cardinal Cupich.

The delegation from St. Rita Parish outside the Augustinian Curia near St. Peter’s.

The group convenes in Cascia, Italy.

Meeting with Cascia Local Government.

Meeting with Cascia Local Government.

Overlooking the Cascia countryside.

Meeting with Cascia Local Government.

Parishioners and staff from St. Rita Parish in Chicago pose in Cascia

The entrance to St. Rita’s convent in Casica.

The Famous Vine of St. Rita

The streets of Cascia decked out for the Feast Day.

The Feast Day celebration for St. Rita in Cascia.

Outside the Basilica on the Feast Day celebration for St. Rita in Cascia.

The "garden of the rose" where the miraculous rose was picked by St. Rita's cousin.

Beneath the Basilica of St. Rita

A friar showing the group a former coffin that St. Rita was placed in.

The tomb of St. Rita, who is incorrupt.

St. Rita's hometown parish in Roccaporena.

The outside of St. Rita’s home parish in Roccaporena.

The house in Roccaporena where St. Rita was born and grew up.

The group at the convent of St. Clare of Montefalco.

Like St. Rita, St. Clare of Montefalco is also incorrupt!

Fr. Homero celebrating Mass in Montefalco.

The group also visited Assisi, where they saw the tombs of St. Francis, St. Clare of Assisi, and St. Carlo Acutis.

The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

Visiting the tomb of St. Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

1-Year Anniversary of Pope Leo XIV: Full Ceremony at Pope Leo XIV’s Childhood Home in Dolton, IL