St. Rose of Lima, born Isabel Flores de Oliva in 1586, was a Peruvian saint known for her deep devotion to God and her self-sacrificial life of asceticism. A member of the Dominican Third Order, she devoted herself to prayer, fasting, and charity. She died young, at the age of 31, and was canonized in 1671. She is the patroness of Peru, the indigenous people of Latin America, and the Philippines, with her feast day celebrated on August 23.
St. Rose of Lima was born on April 30, 1586, in Lima, Peru. Her full name was Isabel Flores de Oliva, but she became popularly known as Rose due to the beauty of her face, which resembled that of a rose. Despite being born into a wealthy family, Rose's deep religious inclination led her to choose a life of poverty and asceticism. From a young age, she displayed a strong desire to live in close union with God, and this spiritual path eventually led her to become a member of the Dominican Third Order.
Rose rejected several marriage proposals, choosing instead to dedicate her life entirely to God. She lived at home, where she prayed, fasted, and undertook acts of penance, including wearing a crown of thorns and engaging in extreme self-denial. Her intense devotion was accompanied by a deep love for the poor and the sick. She dedicated her life to serving those in need, including tending to the ill and assisting the destitute. Rose's selflessness and acts of charity made her widely admired in her community, despite her reclusive lifestyle.
In addition to her charity work, Rose experienced numerous mystical visions and spiritual experiences that further deepened her commitment to God. Her personal sacrifices and mystical encounters were considered by some as divine signs of her profound holiness. She often lived in seclusion, with little material comfort, believing that her suffering was a form of prayer and an offering to God.
At the age of 31, Rose succumbed to illness on August 24, 1617. Her early death was seen by many as a martyrdom, as she had given so much of herself in service to God and others. Her burial took place in Lima, and her tomb soon became a place of pilgrimage for many who sought her intercession.
The canonization of St. Rose of Lima occurred in 1671, under Pope Clement X. She was the first person born in the Americas to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Her feast day is celebrated on August 23 each year. St. Rose of Lima is widely regarded as the patron saint of Peru and Latin American indigenous people. She is also the patron saint of the Philippines and is often depicted in religious art wearing a crown of roses, symbolizing both her name and her devotion to God.