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Saint Rose of Lima
Saint Rose of Lima did not take pride in her physical beauty and tried to grow spiritually beautiful for Jesus. When we are overly concerned with our appearance, we can ask St. Rose to help us focus on what is really important in our lives.
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Virtue: Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude / Courage
(endurance; ability to confront fear and uncertainty)
- Born in Lima Peru 1586
- First Canonized American Saint (1671)
- Patroness of Latin America
- Symbol is crown of roses
- Feast Day August 23rd
This South American saint was born in Lima, Peru in 1586. Her real name was Isabel but she was such a beautiful baby that she was called Rose. As she grew older she grew more beautiful. One day her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. Rose was not impressed. She only wanted Jesus to notice her and love her.
Rose thought that appearance had nothing to do with what a person was on the inside. Rose avoided being concerned with her looks and focused on the beauty of her soul.
St. Rose worked hard gardening and sewing to support her parents who very poor. She obeyed them except when they tried to persuade her to marry. Her love for Jesus was great that when she talked about him, her face glowed. Rose joined the Dominica Third Order and lived in a little hut on her parent's property.
She had many temptations from the devil and there were times she suffered terrible illness and sadness. During those times, God seemed far away yet she cheerfully offered al of her troubles to Him.
St. Rose courageously defeated fear and transformed her suffering through her faith in god's love and in His divine purpose. During her long and painful sickness, she prayed: "Lord, increase my sufferings and with them increase your love in my heart." She was 31 years old when she died on August 24, 1617 in Lima.
She was the first canonized American saint in 1671. There are many miracles attributed to her.
