St. Rita of Cascia
Born at Rocca Porena in the Diocese of Spoleto, 1386; died at the
Augustinian convent of Cascia, 1456. Feast, 22 May. Represented as
holding roses, or roses and figs, and sometimes with a wound in her
forehead.
According to the “Life” (Acta SS., May, V, 224) written at the time
of her beatification by the Augustinian, Jacob Carelicci, from two older
biographies, she was the daughter of parents advanced in years and
distinguished for charity which merited them the surname of “Peacemakers
of Jesus Christ”. Rita’s great desire was to become a nun, but, in
obedience to the will of her parents, she, at the age of twelve, married
a man extremely cruel and ill-tempered. For eighteen years she was a
model wife and mother. When her husband was murdered she tried in vain
to dissuade her twin sons from attempting to take revenge; she appealed
to Heaven to prevent such a crime on their part, and they were taken
away by death, reconciled to God. She applied for admission to the
Augustinian convent at Cascia, but, being a widow, was refused. By
continued entreaties, and, as is related, by Divine intervention, she
gained admission, received the habit of the order and in due time her
profession. As a religious she was an example for all, excelled in
mortifications, and was widely known for the efficacy of her prayers.
Saint Rita’s incorrupt body at her tomb at Cascia.