National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit Roman Catholic shrine and the only US National Shrine dedicated to Saint Rita, serving pilgrims, retreatants, and Catholic groups through devotions, Masses, pilgrimages, and educational programming funded by donations, Mass stipends, retail, and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1907
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia does
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is a nonprofit Roman Catholic religious institution founded in 1907 and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the only National Shrine in the United States dedicated to Saint Rita of Cascia, the Augustinian saint popularly venerated as patron of impossible causes, and it has been designated a Sacred Jubilee Site for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year. The Shrine serves Catholic faithful, pilgrims, retreatants, and school/parish groups through on-site devotions, the novena, Mass intentions, pilgrimages (including an Italy program), retreats, and parish missions, reporting that more than 2,000 individuals were served since January 2024 and that 693 pilgrims from 8 countries visited in a single week.
Operations are supported by a small staff of approximately 6 employees and a network of Augustinian friars and volunteers. The Shrine's revenue mechanics are typical of a faith-based nonprofit: individual donations, Mass intentions at a stated stipend of $15 each, retail sales through a Shopify-powered gift shop, engraved memorial offerings, educational programming supported by grants (including a disclosed $60,000 grant from the Saint Augustine Foundation in 2023–2024), and partnership income from groups such as the Order of Malta and Catholic schools. Underlying technology is limited to a Squarespace website, a Shopify retail storefront, and devotional digital products such as the Virtual Rose Garden and virtual novena; the Cascia Center is being rebuilt/expanded following flood damage to support larger retreats and group stays.
The strategic posture over 2022–2026 centers on three things: (i) capitalizing on the 2025 Jubilee designation to drive pilgrimage traffic, (ii) investing in physical and digital capacity (Cascia Center construction, Virtual Rose Garden, virtual novena), and (iii) professionalizing fundraising via the new Director of Advancement role. A senior leadership transition (the farewell of Friar Joseph Farrell in June 2026) introduces near-term execution risk against this agenda.
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
- Legal name
- National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
- Website
- https://saintritashrine.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1907
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit Roman Catholic shrine and the only US National Shrine dedicated to Saint Rita, serving pilgrims, retreatants, and Catholic groups through devotions, Masses, pilgrimages, and educational programming funded by donations, Mass stipends, retail, and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious and Pilgrimage Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Christian Pilgrimage & Holy Land Tour Operators (THAKAHAB), Religious & Sacred Sites Tours (THAJAAAF), Faith-Based Group Travel (Church/Mosque/Temple) Organizers (THAKAHAH)
Keywords
Where National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Offerings: The Shrine relies on donations from patrons and benefactors, including annual appeals, bequests, and memorial gifts.
- Mass Intentions: For $15, individuals can have a Mass offered for a loved one or friend. The Mass book is opened annually for scheduling intentions.
- Gift Shop Sales: The Shrine operates a physical gift shop and an online Shopify store selling religious items, books, and devotional products.
- Engraved Memorials and Society Enrollments: The Shrine offers opportunities to enroll in societies and purchase engraved memorials as ways to support the mission financially.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Mass Intention - $15 per intention |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia operates a Roman Catholic worship and pilgrimage site in South Philadelphia, providing daily Mass, confession, novenas, healing Masses, counseling ministries, pilgrimages, and retreats centered on devotion to Saint Rita of Cascia, patron saint of impossible causes. It also runs an online gift shop selling religious articles, books, and memorial items, plus online/devotional services including the Virtual Rose Garden, virtual novenas, livestreamed Mass, and a Mass intention program.
Product overview
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia offers a unified portfolio of spiritual and religious services rather than a technology product portfolio. Core offerings include in-person worship services (Mass, Confessions, Novenas), pilgrimage and retreat programs, and the Gift Shop e-commerce platform via Shopify. Digital services include the Virtual Rose Garden for prayer intentions and virtual access to Solemn Novena prayers. Seasonal programs such as Lenten and Advent Book Clubs provide faith formation, while the Simple Lenten Meals program fosters community fellowship. The organization functions primarily as a traditional Roman Catholic shrine with online extensions of its spiritual mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mass Intentions and Memorial Offerings
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000 individuals served through pilgrimage and retreat programs since January 2024
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- A.D.R.O.P. (Advocates for the Rights of the Poor)coreJoint ministry hosting Adeodatus meetings - a support group for formerly incarcerated people and those struggling with addiction. The group has met weekly for 16 years, celebrating their 800th meeting in October 2022. The Shrine has hosted these meetings for the past 10 years, providing a safe space for reflection, scripture study, and mutual support.
- Fr. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A.coreLeadership for the Adeodatus ministry alongside Mr. George Munyan and Fr. Paul Morrissey, O.S.A.
- Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of VillanovacoreFounded in 1907 by the Augustinian Province, the Shrine remains under their spiritual and administrative guidance. Augustinian friars serve the Shrine's ministry.
- Knights of Columbus, San Salvador Council #283minorPartnership supporting the Daughters of Saint Rita women's volunteer group. Knights of Columbus sponsors and promotes the group which focuses on events, service, and fundraising for the community.
- Order of MaltaminorThe Shrine hosted a day of recollection and retreat for the Order of Malta, which was televised on EWTN. Bishop Alfred Schlert from the Diocese of Allentown celebrated the Healing Mass.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova: The founding parent organization of the Shrine. Comparable in mission and governance as a Catholic religious order operating ministries, though it is the Shrine's sponsor rather than a market competitor.
- Order of Malta: Sovereign Catholic lay-religious order and a strategic partner of the Shrine, having hosted its televised Healing Mass. Comparable as a Catholic institutional partner engaged in pilgrimages and faith-based community outreach.
Broad incumbents
- Catholic Charities USA: The national umbrella for Catholic social-service and charitable ministries. Comparable in mission (faith-based community outreach) but operates at vastly greater scale and with a broader portfolio than the Shrine.
- Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN): Global Catholic media network that broadcasts the Shrine's televised Masses and partners on retreats. EWTN is a broader incumbent in Catholic content and pilgrimage-adjacent programming, providing the Shrine with national reach.
Direct peers
- Shrine of St. Joseph: Catholic shrine in Stirling, NJ operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, offering pilgrimages, retreats, and gift shop. Comparable operating model and scale to the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: The largest Roman Catholic church in North America and the preeminent US National Shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the closest direct peer — a Catholic national-shrine destination operating pilgrimages, retreats, and gift shops with a similar mission to Saint Rita of Cascia.
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help: The only Marian apparition site in the US with Church approval, located in Champion, WI. Operates as a pilgrimage destination with retreats, gift shop, and parish ministries, directly comparable in operating model and scale to the Saint Rita Shrine.
- 206 Tours: One of the largest Catholic pilgrimage tour operators in the US, offering Holy Land, Marian, and saint-specific pilgrimages. Directly comparable on the pilgrimage-touring side of the Shrine's business.
- National Shrine of St. Jude: Operated by the Augustinians in Chicago, the National Shrine of St. Jude is the most directly comparable peer — same religious order, same 'national shrine' designation, same patron-saint devotional focus, and similar retreat/pilgrimage programming.
Regional players
- Magdala Shrines & Holy Land Pilgrimages: Operates Catholic pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land, including the Church of the Apostles by the Sea. Comparable as a faith-based pilgrimage destination operator, though geographically focused on the Holy Land rather than the US.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia social profiles
Digital presenceNational Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia
What does National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia do?
The National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia operates a Roman Catholic worship and pilgrimage site in South Philadelphia, providing daily Mass, confession, novenas, healing Masses, counseling ministries, pilgrimages, and retreats centered on devotion to Saint Rita of Cascia, patron saint of impossible causes. It also runs an online gift shop selling religious articles, books, and memorial items, plus online/devotional services including the Virtual Rose Garden, virtual novenas, livestreamed Mass, and a Mass intention program.
Is National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia a public or private company?
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia founded?
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia was founded in 1907. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia based?
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Offerings are the primary driver. The others are mass Intentions, gift Shop Sales and engraved Memorials and Society Enrollments.
Who are National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia's main competitors?
Others on record are Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and Order of Malta. Broad incumbents are Catholic Charities USA and Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Direct peers are Shrine of St. Joseph, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, 206 Tours and National Shrine of St. Jude. Magdala Shrines & Holy Land Pilgrimages is listed as a regional player.
Does National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia have an API?
No public API is recorded for National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia.
What industry is National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia in?
National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia's product category is Religious and Pilgrimage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAL, Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites), with a secondary code of BPAGAJAG, Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling). Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 8300.