Feast of St Rose
St. Rose of Lima-August 30
The first flower of holiness in South America was the virgin, Rose. She was born of Christian parents at Lima and in her cradle early gave signs of her future sanctity, for the child’s face was wonderfully transformed into the likeness of a rose, and this gave her her name. Lest she be compelled by her parents to marry, she secretly cut off her lovely hair. The austerity of her life was most singular. She took the habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic and followed the difficult path of St. Catherine of Siena. For fifteen years, she would suffer terribly for hours at a time from desolation of spirit and from aridity, and bravely bore agonies more bitter than any death. Through frequent apparitions, she enjoyed a wonderful companionship with her Guardian Angel, St. Catherine of Siena and the Virgin Mother of God, and she was privileged to hear Christ say these words, “Rose of My heart, be My bride.” Famous for many miracles both before and after death, she was enrolled in the list of the holy Virgins by Pope Clement X.
(From Matins of the feast of St. Rose of Lima)