Saint Rita of Cascia (Born Margherita Lotti 1381 - May 22, 1457) was an Italian widow, and Augustinian nun. She is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Rita was married at an early age. The marriage lasted for eighteen years, during which she is remembered for her Christian values as a model wife and mother who made efforts to convert her husband from his abusive behavior. Upon the murder of her husband by another feuding family, she sought to dissuade her sons from revenge.