The day after her baptism, Rita was surrounded by a swarm of white bees, which went in and out of her infant mouth without hurting her. Young Rita became a wife and mother at age 12 and her husband was a violent man. Rita’s husband had many enemies, but her influence over him eventually led him to be a better man. Unfortunately, one of his allies betrayed and killed him. Following his death, Rita helped end the feud with her husband’s enemies and eventually joined a convent. Rita had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ, and one day she asked, "Please let me suffer like you, Divine Savior.“ After her request, a wound appeared on her forehead, as if a thorn from Christ's crown had pierced her, which caused her to suffer until the day she died.
