Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia Saint Rita was a widowed woman with two sons. After her husband was assasinated around 1406, she worried that her sons might resort to violence against the family that murdered her husband. She prayed that they would not avenge his death. Her sons died not long after, possibly of the plague. Saint Rita joined the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene in 1407 where she remained until her death in 1457. In 1442, as she was praying and contemplating on the love of Christ for humanity, she prayed to participate in his suffering. It was then that a piece from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ pierced her forehead which stigmata she had to endure for the rest of her life. The colorful frescoes at the Basilica were the works of Luigi Montanarini, Luigi Filocamo, Silvio Consadori, Gisberto Cerracchini and Cesarino Vicenzi. A screen separates the coffin of Saint Rita from the rest of the church. St. Rita of Cascia St. Rita of Cascia Prayer to St. Rita "O Glorio...
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” - James Michener