The work of the Turin architect Oreste Della Piana, the Sanctuary of Roccaporena was consecrated and opened for worship in 1948. The statue of Rita with raised arms gazing heavenwards by the Roman sculptor, Venanzo Crocetti, was placed in the portico in front of the façade.

As you go in, the drum of the apse rests on five arches acting as a backdrop to the altar. The mosaics decorating the apse depict the following saints from left to right: St. Nicholas of Tolentino; St. Augustine; the Virgin Mary dressed in blue; in the centre the Crucifix, then Rita struck by a long thorn in her forehead; Saint John the Baptist; St. Montano in the act of blessing.

In the right-hand nave, running parallel to the central nave, there is the silver shrine containing Saint Rita’s “fur coat”, which she wore to protect herself from the bitter mountain winters.

The fur coat is shown nowadays to the stalwarts in the elegant shrine sculpted by the engraver from Milan, Alessandro Terragni. The garment is protected by a shaped glass fastened securely with decorative studs representing mason bees.

The shrine also contains the certificate of authenticity signed in 1962 by the Bishop of Norcia, Alberto Scola.