Born in Italy in 1381, her parents, Antonio and Amata, were nobles with a reputation for charity. 

When she was twelve, Rita entered into an arranged marriage with a man who was less than faithful, prone to violence, and committed vendettas against several other families. 

Over time, Rita’s example of faith and love did make a difference and her husband was able to move past these vendettas while raising two sons with Rita. However, 

those with vendettas against her husband were not so forgiving, and he was murdered. 

Then, just one year later, both of Rita’s sons became ill, and they died as well. 

She made the decision to join the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene but they refused to allow her to join because of the family’s involvement in these vendettas. 

Invoking the help of her three patron Saints; St. John the Baptist, St. Nicholas of Tolentino, and St. Augustine, Rita set about restoring peace among the warring families and, miraculously she succeeded. Then she was allowed to join the convent. 

Rita meditated often on The Lord’s Passion while dedicating herself to the poor. She also developed wounds on her forehead in the pattern of Jesus’ crown. 

In her last days, a visiting cousin asked if she wanted anything and Rita said to go into a garden and get a rose. 

In the middle of January, she found a single, beautiful rose and brought it to Rita as she died in 1457 at the age of 76. 

St. Rita, please pray for us.