Roman Catholic Saint. Born Margherita Lotti, in Roccaporena, Italy during the pontificate of Pope Urban VI, for centuries she has been one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church, being invoked as patroness of 'desperate cases' or helper in impossibilities. She is also considered to be a model for married women. She was married against her will when twelve, to Paolo Mancini, a husband who was both cruel and negligent as a man, husband, and father. But Rita was to undergo another great sorrow when her husband was murdered. Rita then found that her two sons were entertaining thoughts of avenging their father's murder; she feared they would put their desires into effect in accord with the evil custom of the Vendetta. With heroic love for their souls, she begged God to take them from this life rather than allow them to commit this great sin. Not long afterward they both died. After a time she applied for admittance to the Augustinian Convent in Cascia. She was refused three times. The rules of the convent did not permit a woman who had been married to join even if her husband had died. Rita did not give up, however. At last, in In 1411 the nuns made an exception for her, and Rita was allowed to remain. In the convent, Rita became known for her austerities, penances, and concern for others, and brought many back to their religion with her prayers. She experienced visions and in 1441 suffered a seemingly thorn-induced wound on her forehead after bearing a sermon on the crown of thorns. Shortly before her death of tuberculosis, she had a visitor from her home town who asked if she'd like anything; Rita's requested a rose from her family's estate. In the depths of the January winter, the friend found a single rose on a bush at the estate. Innumerable miracles took place through her intercession, and devotion to her spread far and wide. St. Rita's body in the shrine at Cascia, was preserved perfectly incorrupt for several centuries, and at times it gave off a sweet fragrance. At the beatification ceremony, the body of the Saint raised itself up and opened its eyes.