Rose of Lima, Peru, was the daughter of a Spanish immigrant who had become impoverished due to speculation in mining. As she grew in age and turned out to be a beauty queen, many wealthy suitors sought her hand. Her parents too were eager to have her settled in a prosperous family. But Rose had already made up her mind to consecrate herself to the service of the Lord. Her father banned her entry into any convent as a result of which a cold war ensued between the two for ten long years. However, she became a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, which was meant exclusively for the laity. Determined to avoid the flow of suitors, Rose attempted to disfigure her complexion with pepper and lye. No doubt, it was a thoughtless act perhaps inspired by the Gospel narration: “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away…” (Mt.18: 8-9). In the meanwhile, she turned to needlework and gardening to support the family. A small grotto, built in the garden by her brothers, became the centre of her life of prayer and solitude. She was an ardent devotee of St. Catherine of Sienna and emulatedher example of fasting thrice a week. This was followed by perpetual abstinence from meat. She converted one of the family rooms into an infirmary where she nursed the sick and the elderly, and attended the poor and the needy. After a series of lingering ailments and painful assaults from Satan, Rose triumphantly entered heaven on August 24, 1617, at the age of thirty-one. She was declared a saint in 1671 – the first to be elevated to that status from the New World.
Reflection: Though the ardent yearning of Rose to consecrate herself to God as a religious was thwarted by her parents, still she achieved sainthood by leading a simple life of work, prayer and service at home. One can acquire holiness any where in the world; all that is required is “will power.”
Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase your love in my heart. (St. Rose of Lima)
