St. Rita of Cascia

St. Rita of Cascia wanted to join a religious order from a very young age. However, when she was 12 her parents arranged her marriage. She obediently married the abusive man when she turned 18 and had twin sons. Her husband abused her for 18 years, after which he was murdered. He repented at the time of his death after his wife prayed for him. When St. Rita’s sons also died, she joined an Augustinian convent. She spent the next 40 years in prayer and was particularly dedicated to the Passion. She died May 22, 1457, in Cascia. St. Rita is patron saint of abuse victims and difficult marriages.