August 23rd - St. Rose of Lima By: Jaiden Puthenkalam

St. Rose of Lima was born in 1586 in Lima, Peru to Spanish colonists. Her name was Isabel Flores de Olivia, and was a beautiful child. She was such a beautiful baby that her parents nicknamed her “Rose,” which is still the name she is called today. When Rose was young, she wanted to become a nun. She often prayed and fasted in secret and performed penances that were painful and serious. She also performed daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and took daily communion. Rose’s beauty started to attract suitors, so to discourage them,
she cut her hair short and would rub her face with pepper to make it blister. Her parents tried to stop her from taking a vow of chastity because they wanted her to marry, but her father conceded and gave her a room to herself. St. Rose kept herself in the room spending long periods of time in prayer. It was said that she only slept for 2 hours so she could have more time for prayer. When she turned 20, she was permitted to join the Third Order of St. Dominic. She continued a life of prayer, fasting and penance. Once, as an act for penance, St. Rose burned her hands. St. Rose died on August 25, 1617, at the age of 31. We remember St. Rose of Lime for her piety and chastity. St. Rose is the patroness of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety, and people who suffer family problems.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
O Dearest St. Rose of Lima, your faith in God was so strong it led you to do penances that no one else could do. St Rose, help us as well to have faith in God and to spend time in prayer praising the Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.