St. Rose of Lima

Isabel de Santa Maria de Flores was born on April 20, 1586 in Lima, Peru. She took Rose as her confirmation name and dedicated her virginity to Christ, despite her parents’ urging that she marry. She became Dominican tertiary at age twenty and lived in a small hut in her parents' garden; she embroidered and made lace to help support her parents, when they had financial difficulties. Rose modeled her life on St. Catherine of Siena and undertook many harsh penances, fasting and wearing an iron chain about her waist, and a metal crown of thorns. She spent long hours in prayer and received the Blessed Sacrament daily. She was favored with visions and heavenly consolations. Many people sought her spiritual advice and her prayers and she became close friends with St. Martin de Porres. She died on August 30, 1617 (some sources say August 24) after three years of increasingly bad health. Numerous miracles through her intercession were reported after her death. She was canonized in 1671, the first person born in the New World to be so honored. Her feast is August 23 and she is the patroness of the South America.