Saint Rita of Cascia is the patron saint of the city of Santa Cruz in Rio Grande do Norte.
The Statue of Sa Rita de Cascia, next to the Tourist-Religious complex, on the banks of the BR-226 motorway and the Trairi river, attracts thousands of devotees every year.
At 56 metres tall, it is the largest statue in the Americas and the largest Catholic image in the world.
Construction history
The history of the construction of the statue of Santa Rita de Cássia dates back to 2006, when the local community decided to honour the saint and strengthen the region’s religiosity.
The project, conceived by the authorities and devotees, aimed to create a tourist attraction and pilgrimage site symbolising the Catholic faith and tradition of Santa Cruz.
Details of the structure
The statue was designed by artists and engineers to ensure that the structure was not only monumental, but also safe and durable.
Using materials such as clay and concrete, the statue is topped with a brushed steel crown. The project involved an investment of around 6 million reais from partnerships between the local town hall, the state government and the federal government.
The inauguration took place on 26 June 2010, and since then the statue has become one of the city’s main attractions, attracting thousands of worshippers and tourists, especially during the Saint Rita’s Festival, celebrated annually on 22 May.
Video about Religious Tourism in Santa Cruz, RN
Cidade de Santa Cruz no RN e Santa Rita de Cássia04:38
Estátua de Santa Rita de Cássia RN01:21
Santa Cruz no RN02:45
Carmel Hill
The Morro do Carmelo is a traditional pilgrimage site in the region, where the famous Friar Damião de Bozzano began the procession of the Way of the Cross, Way of the Cross and The Way of the Cross on Passion Friday.
The seven-kilometre route goes from the Mother Church of Santa Rita de Cássia in the city centre to the small chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, which used to stand on the top of the hill.
Frei Damião, known for his devotion to the faith, helped to strengthen the community’s ties with Santa Rita, to whose intercession many miracles are attributed.
Miracles of Saint Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita of Cascia is widely known as the saint of impossible causes.
Her fame, according to Father Sales, stems from the remarkable miracles that took place in her life, including cures for incurable diseases and the restoration of broken relationships.
One notable miracle occurred shortly before her death when, even in a harsh winter, she asked people to look for roses in her snow-covered garden and miraculously managed to find them.
The High Complex of St Rita
The image of Santa Rita de Cássia is part of the Alto de Santa Rita complex, which includes a Auditorium for 225 people, a Restaurant and a Chapel.
Conclusion
This rich tradition and devotion around Santa Rita not only enriches the local culture, but also boosts religious tourism in the region, attracting visitors from different parts of Brazil and even abroad.
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