Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia

Why did the Augustinians yearn to return to Milan? Here, before the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia, their dream was realized. This church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a testament to the Augustinians’ enduring connection to Milan, their “cradle.” The Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia, nestled in the southwest periphery of Milan on Via Santa Rita da Cascia, stands as a symbol of their homecoming. Their history in Milan dates back to 1230 when they held the Convent and Church of San Marco. They later established the Church of the Incoronata in 1445 and acquired the Church of the Consolation in 1500. However, the suppression of 1782 forced them to leave Milan for nearly two centuries. The Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia represents the end of that exile. Cardinal Schuster laid the first stone of the sanctuary in 1939. Construction began in the spring of 1940. Amidst the turmoil of World War II, the first Augustinian religious community was established here the following year. Designed by engineer Giuseppe Invitti, the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia boasts a majestic basilica form. It spans 1800 square meters, laid out in a Latin cross plan with three spacious naves. The façade, completed in 1956, features a grand central arch, partially clad in Bergamo stone and brick. Mosaics by G.B. Salerno adorn the lunettes above the entrance portals. The bronze main door, “The Door of Life,” by sculptor Father Stefano Pigini, depicts scenes from Santa Rita’s life before entering the monastery: her engagement, marriage, family life, and domestic work. Inside the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia, a rich array of mosaics, crafted by the Sgorlon firm based on designs by Belgian Augustinian Father Leo Coppens, adds to the splendor. Completed between 1960 and 1965, these mosaics portray evangelical scenes and six scenes from the life of Santa Rita. The beauty of these mosaics culminates in the triumphal arch and the apse of the presbytery. Father Coppens’s designs were selected for their ability to convey a distinctly Augustinian spiritual atmosphere. In the late 1970s, the crypt beneath the presbytery was inaugurated, housing a relic of Santa Rita. The altar was consecrated, and the presbytery inaugurated in May 2000. A bronze crucifix by Marco Melzi replaced the painting of Santa Rita. The Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Rita da Cascia became not just a building but a vibrant hub of faith, commemorating the resilience and dedication of the Augustinians.