August 23 is the feast day of St. Rose of Lima.
Born in 1586, Isabel Flores de Olivia was incredibly beautiful. In fact, her beauty earned her the nickname of “Rose” — a name that Isabel officially took at her confirmation.
From a young age, Rose knew she was called to religious life. Secretly, she would fast, pray, go to adoration, receive the Blessed Sacrament, and perform acts of penance.
Although she wanted to become a nun, Rose faced a couple of challenges. Her parents wanted her to marry, not enter religious life. Men, attracted to her beauty, wanted to marry her. To ward them off, Rose cut her hair and used pepper to blister her face.
Eventually, Rose was given her own room in her family’s house, which she used to practice her faith. There, she spent most of her time in prayer and fasted by refusing to eat meat.
At the age of 20, Rose entered the Third Order of St. Dominic. During this time, she continued to devote her life to God by taking extreme measures to pray, fast, and practice penance. She even wore a silver crown with spikes that pierced her skin to constantly remind her of Jesus’ crown of thorns.
Rose died in on August 25, 1617, and was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667. Four years later, Pope Clement X canonized her. St. Rose is the patron saint of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, Peru, and South America.
Get to know St. Rose through this Spotify playlist featuring artists The Last Dinosaur and Sia, and themes of roses and being true to yourself.
