Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted the Rosary
Blessed Rita Amada de Jesus
Foundress († 1913)Feast: January 6
Rita Lópes de Almeida was born in a small village in Portugal in 1848. At this time, Catholicism was under attack from Portugal’s Masonic-influenced government. However, her devout parents made time for daily rosary and spiritual reading. From an early age, Rita was devoted to the Eucharist, Mary, and Joseph, and loved the Holy Father.
Rita felt a call to help promote faith and morals among the young. She began to travel from parish to parish, encouraging Marian devotion, especially the rosary. She successfully encouraged many people to return to the sacraments. Though she discerned a call to religious life, she had to wait years to fulfill it because religious orders were shut down or forbidden to welcome new members.
At age thirty-two, she was able to establish a new religious institute known as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph’s Sisters. She took the name Rita Amada de Jesus (“the Beloved of Jesus”). Inspired by the life of the Holy Family, the new order helped to care for the children of the poor and of single mothers. But after twenty years, another round of persecution scattered the community. Rita and several companions had to disguise themselves as gypsies to escape. She regrouped, however, sending many sisters to Brazil, where they continued their good work. She died in 1913 and was beatified in 2006.
Almighty Father, we thank you for the powerful protection of the rosary. May our praying of the rosary bring many people back to the sacraments.
