<p>St. Rose of Lima was born in Lima, Peru in 1586.&nbsp; She received the baptismal name of Isabel (Elizabeth), and was part of a large family.&nbsp; Later she received the nickname &ldquo;Rose, and it turned out to be evidence of her holiness.&nbsp;&nbsp; A servant expressed that she had witnessed her as a baby, and she seen the face of this child transformed into a rose.&nbsp; In 1597, she was confirmed and took the name of Rose.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>She had a strong devotion to St. Catherine of Siena, and began to fast three times a week, and also performed severe penances in secret.&nbsp; She was admired for her beauty, so Rose would cut off her hair, as a penance.&nbsp; Despite her parents, she would spend many hours contemplating the Blessed Sacrament, and would receive Communion daily.&nbsp; Her parents wished that she would marry, as she was admired for her beauty, but she was determined to take a vow of virginity.&nbsp; Her father finally gave in, and gave her a room to herself in the family home.&nbsp;</p> <p>Her desire to do daily fasting, eventually turned into perpetual abstinence from meat, and her days were filled with acts of charity.&nbsp; She would help the hungry and sick around her community, often bringing them to her room and caring for them.&nbsp; To help her family she would sell her needlework at the local market.&nbsp; She grew beautiful flowers, and would sell them as well.&nbsp; Sometimes her exquisite lace and embroidery would help to care for the poor.&nbsp; She also devoted her nights to prayer and penance in a little grotto that she had built.&nbsp; She seldom would leave her room for any other reason, other than going to Church.&nbsp;</p> <p>She became famous for her holiness, and it became so well known with the people of her city, that she attracted the attention of the Dominican Friars.&nbsp; She wanted to become a Nun, but her father refused it.&nbsp; Out of obedience to her father, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic, remaining in her parent&rsquo;s home, and wore the habit of a tertiary, while taking the vow of perpetual virginity.&nbsp;</p> <p>St. Rose continued her self-martyrdom without pause, often with periods of ecstasy, until she died on August 24, 1617 at the age of thirty-one.&nbsp; She even prophesied the exact date of her death.&nbsp; With all the towns&rsquo; people attending, the Archbishop himself, gave the eulogy at her Funeral Mass in the Cathedral.&nbsp; She was beatified by Pope Clement IX on April 15, 1667, and canonized on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement X.&nbsp; She was the first Catholic in the &ldquo;America&rsquo;s&rdquo; to be declared a saint.&nbsp; Her Shrine is alongside those of her friends, St. Martin de Porres and St. John Macias, and is located in the Convent of St. Dominic, in Lima, Peru.&nbsp; Pope Benedict XVI is especially devoted to her.&nbsp; Many miracles have been reported from her, one being a leper was cured.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></p> <p>St. Rose of Lima passed away at the age of 31, and devoted her life to God.&nbsp; She was admired for her beauty, and took a vow of virginity as a Third Order Dominican. She spent her life in fasting, penance, and prayer &ndash; to ensure her final reward of Heaven.&nbsp; She spent her time in prayer, helping the sick and hungry, and in contemplating the Blessed Sacrament.&nbsp; Her life shows us that we too, can procure Heaven as our final destination &ndash; if we would take time to pray, fast, and offer penance.&nbsp; We can also assist the sick and hungry around us &ndash; and by asking for the intercession of St. Rose of Lima, we can be assured of her help.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>