5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL SAINT ROSE OF LIMA (Feast Day August 23)

Saint Rose of Lima was a Peruvian lay Dominican tertiary, mystic, and the first saint born in the Americas. She was born Isabel Flores de Oliva in Lima, Peru, on April 20, 1586, to Spanish parents. She was known for her beauty and piety from a young age. She often prayed and fasted, and she was devoted to the poor and sick.

When she was 20 years old, she refused to marry and instead dedicated her life to God. She lived in a cell in her family’s garden, where she prayed, meditated, and did penance. She was also a skilled embroiderer and florist. She sold her work to help the poor, and she used the flowers she grew to decorate her cell.

Rose of Lima died at the age of 31 on August 24, 1617. She was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671, becoming the first person born in the Americas to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

St. Rose of Lima is the patron saint of Peru, Latin America, florists, embroiderers, and those who suffer ridicule for their faith. Her feast day is August 23.

1. She was born in Lima, Peru, in 1586. Her parents were Spanish colonists, and she was given the name Isabel Flores de Oliva.
2. She was known for her beauty and piety from a young age. She often prayed and fasted, and she was devoted to the poor and sick.
3. She refused to marry and instead dedicated her life to God. She lived in a cell in her family’s garden, where she prayed, meditated, and did penance.
4. She was a skilled embroiderer and florist. She sold her work to help the poor, and she used the flowers she grew to decorate her cell.
5. She died at the age of 31 in 1617. She was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671, becoming the first person born in the Americas to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

In addition to these five things, here are some other interesting facts about St. Rose of Lima:

• She was a Third Order Dominican, which means she was a layperson who lived according to the Dominican rule.
• She was often ridiculed for her piety, but she never wavered in her faith.
• She is the patron saint of Peru, Latin America, florists, embroiderers, and those who suffer ridicule for their faith.
• Her feast day is August 23.

St. Rose of Lima is an inspiration to Christians around the world. She showed us that it is possible to live a holy life even in the midst of a difficult world. She is a reminder that we can all find ways to serve God and others, no matter our circumstances.

Prayer for the intercession of Saint Rose of Lima:

Admirable Saint Rose, you were truly a sweet flower
blooming on rugged soil;
you were indeed a rose among thorns,
bearing with meekness and patience
the stings of envious tongues,
and preserving perfect purity and modesty
amid the alluring blandishments of a deceitful world.

To the sufferings inflicted on you by others,
you added the voluntary tortures
of fasting and watching, of the discipline,
of the crown of thorns and of the hair shirt,
to subdue the flesh and to make yourself
like to your heavenly Spouse.

By the merits which you have thus gained
with your divine Bridegroom,
obtain for me the grace to bear my afflictions with patience,
to remain pure and modest,
to be meek and humble,
to be faithful to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit,
and so to mortify my passions,
that I may be ever more pleasing and acceptable
in the sight of my dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Who liveth and reigneth world without end.

Amen.