Feast Day

St. Rose of Lima was a very beautiful girl, the daughter of Gaspar de Flores and Maria d'Olivia. She was very devoted to her vow of chastity and to Jesus, and afraid of being a cause of temptation for someone, that she used pepper and lye to ruin her beauty and complexion.
She had a great devotion to the Child Jesus - who taught her to read - as well as to St. Catherine of Sienna, and became a Dominican tertiary like the latter. Rose lived in a small hut in the garden of her parents home, growing and making things to sell in order to support them. She had a great love for the poor, and at times would turn the house into a sort of hospital - much to the dismay of her mother.
During her life, St. Rose practiced many severe penances and trials upon herself, which led to health problems for her. She died in 1617 on August 25th at the age of 31. Her death was greatly mourned by the poor of Lima and the burial had to be delayed for several days due to the large crowds. For several years, her body was incorrupt, but it later decayed.
St. Rose is the patroness of embroiderers; Lima, Peru; against vanity; needle workers and people ridiculed for their piety, as well as my confirmation saint and the adopted patroness of this blog. She is often represented by an anchor, a crown of flowers or roses, a Dominican tertiary holding roses or accompanied by the Holy Infant, and also - of course - a rose.

St. Rose of Lima... Pray for Us!