Chapelle Sainte-Rita

Could a simple statue spark a surge of faith? Here at the Chapelle Sainte-Rita in Lille, that’s precisely what happened. This unassuming brick chapel, nestled near a bustling highway, holds a story of hope and devotion. The Chapelle Sainte-Rita began as the Church of St. Eubert. It was built in 1874 by the determined residents of Vendeville, a small community of only 480 people. They pooled their resources, driven by a desire for their own place of worship. Decades later, in 1928, the church’s destiny took an unexpected turn. The parish priest, Abbé Dumortier, spotted a newspaper advertisement. A woman from Lille, grateful for a miracle attributed to Saint Rita of Cascia, offered her statue to a deserving parish. Abbé Dumortier recognized the opportunity and accepted the statue. The statue, a humble plaster figure, arrived by train at Seclin station. A local farmer then transported it to Vendeville by cart. It was placed in the side aisle of the church. Almost immediately, people began to flock to the Chapelle Sainte-Rita, seeking Saint Rita’s intercession. Reports of miracles and healings spread, transforming the small parish church into a popular pilgrimage site. The church’s interior soon became covered with ex-votos, testaments to the countless graces received. Eventually, due to sheer volume, they had to stop accepting the tokens. Over the years, the Chapelle Sainte-Rita faced challenges. A British soldier died within its walls during World War II and was buried nearby. In 1943, the Germans demolished the steeple to allow their planes to use the Lesquin airfield without obstruction. It was rebuilt a few years later. Through it all, the devotion to Saint Rita continued to flourish. In 2023, the Chapelle Sainte-Rita, formerly the Church of St. Eubert, received an extraordinary recognition. Vendeville, thanks to its beloved saint, was declared the 21st sanctuary city of France, joining the ranks of renowned pilgrimage sites like Lourdes and Lisieux. The Chapelle Sainte-Rita stands as a testament to the power of faith and the enduring legacy of a humble plaster statue.