St. Rita of Cascia was a Mother, Widow and Augustinian Nun. She was born in Roccaporena, near Spoleta, Italy in 1381. From an early age she expressed the desire to become a nun. Her elderly parents insisted that she be married and at the age of twelve to a man described in accounts of her life as cruel and harsh.

During the eighteen years of marriage, her only consolation was her two sons. Her husband was killed in a brawl and both of her sons tragically died as well.

Rita tried to enter the Augustinians in their convent at Cascia. She was refused because she was a widow and because of the requirement that all sisters should be virgins.

Finally in 1413, the order gave her entry, and she earned fame for her austerity, devotion to prayer and charity. In the midst of chronic illnesses, she received visions and wounds on her forehead that resembled those of the crown of thorns.

She died on May 22 at Cascia, and many miracles were reported instatnly. She is honored in Spain as La Santa de los Imposibles (The Patron Saint of Impossible Causes).