Hello and welcome to Saint Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun stories and

facts about the holy men and women that have come before us. I'm your host,

Chantal Barrows. Saint Stories for Kids is brought to you by Shining Light dolls.

Discover award-winning Catholic dolls books and more. Passing on the faith

through proven play-based learning. Catholic mom design, Catholic kit approved. Visit

www dot shining light dolls.com to learn more and check out our new free

coloring and activity sheets while you're there. Today we'll be telling the story of St. Rita of Kasha,

whose feast is celebrated on May 22nd.

Rita was born in 1381 in Umbria, Italy.

Her parents were nobility with a good reputation for Christian charity.

Even as a child Rita wanted to become a religious but her parents did not agree.

As was the custom during that time her parents arranged a marriage for Rita and she was

married at age 13. Unfortunately, her husband was not a very good man and Rita had to endure a difficult

marriage for many years.

She never gave up hope, however, and in the end her husband started to become a better person before his death.

Sadly, by the age of 31, Rita's husband and sons had all died, leaving her alone.

Rita had never stopped dreaming of one day joining a convent, and so at the age of 32 she finally did.

Rita lived the rest of her years in the

covenant and was known for her holiness and the power of her prayers. St Rita

is the patron saint of impossible causes, the sick, marriage problems, abuse victims, and mothers.

Now it's time for our story.

St Rita had her heart set on joining the convent of Mandalina, but she had been rejected, repeatedly.

...