August 23: Saint Rose of Lima

The First Saint of the Americas

She was the first canonized saint to be born in the Americas. A great mystic, she sought to imitate the example of Saint Catherine of Siena and entered the Dominican Third Order. She is Saint Rose of Lima, whose birth name was Isabel de Flores.

Saint Rose was born in Lima, Peru, on April 20, 1586. Her father, originally from Puerto Rico, had arrived in Peru in 1548 with the Spanish conquistadors. Her family was of humble social standing. The name “Rose” was given to her by a servant who, upon seeing her as a newborn, exclaimed: “She is as beautiful as a rose.” Her mother decided to call her Rosa from then on.

From a very young age—only four years old—Rosa learned to read without anyone teaching her. As soon as she was able, she read with great interest the lives of the saints, especially that of Saint Catherine of Siena, who became her spiritual model.

From her youth, she chose to live a life of austerity, marked by fasting and penance. Her parents would not allow her to enter a convent and since she refused to marry, she was often misunderstood by both family and friends. Nevertheless, she remained at home, living a withdrawn and contemplative life. To help support her family, she dedicated herself to embroidery and sold the flowers she grew.

In 1606, at the age of twenty, she entered the Dominican Third Order and converted a small hut in her family’s garden into a hermitage where she withdrew for prayer. She also set up a room in the house as a sort of infirmary where she cared for poor children, indigenous people, the sick, and the elderly in need.

She also received mystical graces and was even investigated by the Inquisitors, who were struck by the depth of her spiritual answers removing any doubt in her authenticity. She died in 1617 at the age of 31 and the people of Lima were deeply moved by her passing, already venerating her as a saint. She was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671.