August 23 : Saint Rose of Lima

The original name of St. Rose of Lima is Isabel Flores de Oliva. Her mother decided that Rose would be her daughter’s name, and later she was given that name at the time of confirmation. From an early age, Rose wanted to become a nun. But her mother wanted her to marry and initially refused to allow her daughter to pursue religious life. To deter suitors, the beautiful Rosa cut off her hair and blistered her skin with hot peppers. The struggle between them lasted 10 years, during which time Rosa made a perpetual vow of virginity. In 1606 her mother relented and allowed Rosa to become a Dominican of the third order, though her parents did not permit her to live in a convent. Instead, Rosa chose strict enclosure and contemplation and withdrew to the seclusion of a hut in the family garden, where she endured a life of severe austerity and asceticism. She regularly wore a heavy silver crown, with spikes that could pierce her flesh. The spikes reminded her of the Crown of Thorns. At one point, one of the spikes become so lodged in her skull that the crown was removed with great difficulty. She practiced fasting and slept only a few hours a night on a bed of potsherds, self-flagellated, and experienced numerous visions, particularly of the Devil. Rosa was devoted to the sick and hungry in her community and often brought them to her hut to care for them. She was skilled in needlework and sold her fine lace and embroidery and the flowers that she grew in her garden to help her family and to raise funds for the poor. Her funeral was an occasion of public honour, and many miracles were said to have occurred after her death. She was beatified in 1668 by Pope Clement IX and declared patron of Lima. She was canonized in 1971 by Pope Clement X, who proclaimed her patron saint of South America, the Indies, and the Philippines. She is the patron saint of Peru and all of South America as well as of embroiderers, gardeners, and florists.