Born in 1381, Rita is the daughter of a couple who serve as arbitrators between the feuding camps that ravages the Italy of the time: the supporters of the Pope versus the defenders of the Emperor. Rita wishes to become a nun but her parents marry her before she can achieve her end. Her husband, a rich man of noble origin but somewhat of an outlaw, Paolo Di Fernandino, will give her two twin sons, Giangiacomo and Paolo Maria. When their father is murdered, the two young men vow to avenge him, which Rita entreats them not to do. Some time later both die after being struck by an epidemic. Now Rita can dedicate her life to God - until her death on 28 May 1457. She will later be beatified by Pope Urbain VIII.