St. Rita of Cascia

St. Rita was born Margherita Lotti in 1381 in Umbria Italy. Rita was married at a very young age, and bore her first child at age 12. Her husband was hot tempered and abusive and known to have had many enemies. Her marriage lasted 18 years until her husband was murdered by a feuding family member. She later joined the Augustinian community where she became known for practicing mortification of the flesh. She is usually depicted with a bleeding wound on her forehead which is understood to be partial stigmata.

Her feast day is May 22. She is the patron of abused wives, impossible causes and marital problems.