SANTA RITA -- The Santa Rita de Cascia Parish recently re-opened its parish museum at its old rectory building and has been attracting a steady number of tourists from Pampanga and other provinces including Metro Manila ahead of the traditional pilgrimage season.
Lent will officially start on March 6, Ash Wednesday. But even before the start of the Lenten season, pilgrims have been trooping to this town to see its old parish church and museum.
The main attraction this season is the first class relic of Saint Rita, patroness of impossible causes. The museum also hosts three galleries and two rooms for Marian images and images of Augustinian Saints.
The building, which was restored in 1994, now houses the historical artifacts, contemporary and antique images, as well as old furnishings of the church and its old rectory. The facility also offers a tour of the church, which houses the first-class relic of Saint Rita. Tourists may also visit the recently restored bell tower of the parish, which is accessible through the museum.
Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Rolando Lopez said that the museum aims to promote the rich Catholic history of the town as well as promote the culture and traditions of the town in the light of the town's history.
The museum is open to the public and provides free tours from volunteers.
