Saint Rita of Cascia, also known as Saint Rita of Roccaporena, was an Italian Augustinian nun and mystic who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. She is known for her piety, humility, and the miracles attributed to her intercession.

Saint Rita was born in 1381 in Roccaporena, a small town in central Italy. She was married at a young age to a violent and abusive man, but she remained faithful to him and prayed for his conversion. After many years of suffering, her husband was killed in a feud, and Saint Rita's two sons also died shortly afterward.

Following the deaths of her husband and sons, Saint Rita sought entry into the convent of Augustinian nuns in Cascia. Despite facing initial resistance due to her past as a wife and mother, she was eventually accepted and lived a life of prayer, penance, and service to others.

Saint Rita was known for her devotion to the Passion of Christ and the wounds of Christ, which she reportedly bore in her forehead as a stigmata. She also had a deep love for the Eucharist and spent hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Saint Rita is considered the patron saint of impossible causes, abused women, and difficult marriages. She is often depicted holding a crucifix and roses, symbolizing her devotion to Christ and the miracles associated with her intercession. Her feast day is celebrated on May 22nd in the Catholic Church.

Saint Rita's tomb in the basilica of Cascia is a popular pilgrimage site, and many people visit to seek her intercession for their needs and to ask for her prayers in times of trouble. She is revered as a model of faith, perseverance, and forgiveness._