But when one day she asked to retire among the Augustinian hermit sisters of Cascia, her parents refused to let her go. In order not to give their daughter to the spiritual life, her parents decided to marry her off as soon as possible. Obediently, Rita accepted, but her parents had chosen an angry and violent man. For eighteen years, Rita endured all her husband's humiliations. When her husband was murdered, her two sons wanted to avenge him. In desperation, Rita prayed to save the souls of her children and prevent this bloody act. God heard her prayers and answered her, for her two sons were soon swept away by an epidemic.

As a sign of grace, at the age of 60 Rita received the stigmata of the crown of thorns, in the form of an open wound on her forehead, for her profound veneration of the Passion of Christ.

Rita died on 22 May 1457 in Cascia.