Rita of Cascia

Rita was born in Italy to devout parents in 1381. When she grew up, Rita desired to become a nun, but her parents arranged for her to marry a man named Paolo Mancini, with whom she would have two sons. It seems that Paolo was a complicated man (and there are varying accounts of his character) but we do know that Rita suffered during her marriage. Paolo was impetuous and had a fierce temper, and seems to have been irresponsible with gaming and debts. Violent conflicts between noble Italian families were common at this time, and Paolo was involved in these feuds. He was rough with Rita and may even have been physically abusive. In spite of all this, she exercised the virtues of patience and humility towards him, and was a truly loving and faithful wife and homemaker. Over time, her love, example, and prayers bore fruit, and Paolo's heart began to undergo conversion. (One biographer writes that he would become ashamed of his temper when it got the best of him, and rush out of the house, returning only when he had calmed down.) Paolo did have enemies, who eventually ambushed him and killed him. His sons wanted to avenge his death, but Rita tried to dissuade them; finally, she begged God even to take the lives of her sons rather than allow them to commit a mortal sin which would endanger their salvation. Both sons did pass away from an illness, and were prevented from acting in violence. Rita subsequently entered an Augustinian order of nuns. She died in 1457.

Source: Get Fed