St. Rose of Lima – 1st canonized saint of the Americas…what true beauty is, true beauty does

St. Rose of Lima, is the 1st person canonized a saint in the Americas and is considered the patron of Latin America and the Philippines.

Her story is really as lovely as her name.  Born Isabel (which in itself means Beauty) in 1586, she was so beautiful that they simply called her Rose.   She felt a special relationship with Jesus in her heart at very young age; and felt a close tie to St. Catherine of Siena.   Undoubtedly a she experienced deep mystical experiences in prayer.  Like many who have those types of graces, she felt called to extraordinary acts of penance not only for herself but  for all mankind.  It is said that she would place a pepper/lye-based oil on her skin in order to marr her complexion so as not to be a source of temptation for others and to eliminate the potential for vanity in herself.  Ok, so that may seem extreme today, but don’t forget it was an act not unlike that of St. Clare, who cut her hair in order to become unmarriageable…St. Rose’s motivation may have shared some of that intention.  She had a great devotion to and relationship with the child Jesus; you will see him with her in many of the paintings depicting her life.  She died in 1617 and was canonized 1671.

The video is a wonderful one; the images tell the story.  For those of you who do not speak Spanish don’t sweat it…remember it was her native language  (her father was Spanish, her mother part Spanish and Inca), and well…well allow yourself to stretch a little, it’s so worth  viewing, if only to get to know St. Rose and her people better.

3 thoughts on “St. Rose of Lima – 1st canonized saint of the Americas…what true beauty is, true beauty does”

  1. Lovely . My little granddaughter Annabella Rosa was given her second name from Rose of Lima.
    I pray that St. Rose will intercede for Annabella to get a place at the good school near to her home. She has been top of the waiting list since November 2015. Dear St. Rose help her to hear that she has been offered a place soon. I pray that the teachers will find a space for Annabella. She makes her First Holy Communion this year. She is a lovely little girl.

    Reply
  2. Dear Friends at Discerning Hearts,
    Yesterday at 14.37pm we heard that Annabella Rosa had been offered a place at the chosen school. She will start in April.
    Thank you to all Angels and Saints and Blessed Virgin Mary. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I place my Trust in you.
    God Bless everyone on this site and thank you. Amen.

    Reply

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