Discovering Saint Martha: The Patron Saint of Cooks and Travelers
Saint Rose of Lima, also known as Saint Rose of Lima of Peru, is the first canonized saint from the Americas. She is revered as the patron saint of the Americas, as well as of gardeners, florists, and those who suffer from vanity.
Rose of Lima was born on April 20th, 1586, in Lima, Peru, to Spanish parents. She was baptized Isabel Flores de Oliva, but from a young age, she was known as Rose, a name that stuck with her throughout her life. Rose was a deeply religious child and often spent hours in prayer and contemplation. She was known for her exceptional beauty, but she rejected all proposals of marriage and dedicated herself to a life of prayer, penance, and service to the poor.
Rose suffered from many physical afflictions throughout her life, including a disfiguring disease that caused her great pain. However, she endured her suffering with great faith and humility, believing that it was a way for her to share in the suffering of Christ. Rose also had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary, and she was said to have received many mystical visions and experiences throughout her life.
One well known story about Rose involves her dedication to her garden, which she used to support her family and the poor. It is said that she would often wear a wreath of flowers on her head, and when people would compliment her on her beauty, she would pluck the most beautiful flower from the wreath and give it to them, saying that it belonged to them and not to her.
Saint Rose died on August 24th, 1617, at the age of 31. She was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671. Her feast day is celebrated on August 23rd, the day before her death, although in some places it is celebrated on August 30th. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared her the patroness of the Americas, alongside Saint Juan Diego.
Saint Rose of Lima is a beloved saint throughout the world, known for her great devotion to God, her love of the poor, and her humility and simplicity. She is a model for all those who seek to live a life of prayer, service, and sacrifice. Her life and example continue to inspire and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds.