The city of Cascia, Italy, has chosen Chicago, Illinois, to be a "twin city," based on the city's historical devotion to St. Rita.
Many Catholics are familiar with St. Rita of Cascia, an Augustinian nun who is often invoked for "impossible causes."
She is especially popular among Italians, both in Italy and in the United States. When Italian immigrants came to Chicago, they maintained their devotion to her, assisted by the presence of Augustinians in the city.
Since 1958, the city of Cascia, Italy, has had a tradition of selecting cities throughout the world that have a unique connection to St. Rita. They identify a city and then extend to its political and religious leaders a "Torch of Peace and Forgiveness."
Chicago was selected in 2026 for this torch and a delegation from Cascia came to the United States in March to deliver it.
Strengthening ties
According to the website We the Italians, "During the visit, Massimiliano Presciutti, president of the Province of Perugia, and Cascia mayor Mario De Carolis met with Italian Consul Mario Alberto Bartoli at the Italian Consulate in Chicago. The meeting highlighted opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, migration, and cultural exchange, while also reinforcing dialogue between public institutions on both sides of the Atlantic."
While in Chicago, the torch was taken by delegates to St. Rita of Cascia Parish, as well as the National Shrine of St. Frances Cabrini (a native of Italy), and to Pope Leo’s childhood home.
The torch stayed in the United States for several months until May, when it was brought back to Italy by delegates from Chicago.
Greeted by Pope Leo XIV
On March 20, just before St. Rita's feast day, Pope Leo XIV greeted the two delegations, blessed the torch, and encouraged them in their desire for peace and forgiveness, which the torch represents.
Mother Maria Grazia Cossu, Augustinian Abbess of the Monastery of Cascia, was present at the event and explained the significance to VaticanNews:
[T]he Torch is "much more than a sign...it is a call that transcends borders and appeals to the conscience of each individual. In harmony with Pope Leo XIV's strong call for peace, we want to clearly state that we cannot become accustomed to war, nor resign ourselves to division...To St. Rita we entrust the cry for peace rising from peoples and families."
Delegates from Chicago will return the torch to Cascia on St. Rita's feast day, thus concluding the celebrations and visits between the two cities.
It is hoped that the two cities will continue to collaborate in the future, promoting an exchange of cultures that will benefit both for years to come.
