Santa Rosa De Lima – August 30, 2025

History of Santa Rosa De Lima

Christianity is a religion that spreads the message of love, kindness, devotion, and duty. There aren’t that many people in history who have embodied these qualities, but St. Rose of Lima is one such person who had it all. Love is the message of God and kindness is his religion, yet people who commit to love and kindness are rare. Those who exhibit it have a special place beside God and some of them are even honored as saints. The Pope, after listening to the life story of a person, decides if they should be canonized as saints. There are more than 10,000 saints in the world, and history has failed to record some of their lives and names. But the patron saint of Peru is not one of them.

Isabel Flores de Oliva was born in Lima, the Viceroyalty of Peru. From a young age, she showed dedication and interest in spiritual life. She was born into a noble family and was known by the name Rosa. Her early life was filled with struggles and conflicts between her mother and her decision to choose a spiritual life. Her family wanted her to marry someone and start a family life, as was customary during the time.

St. Rose was a beautiful lady who did not have a shortage of suitors. When the pressure for marriage increased, she cut her hair short and blistered her face by applying chili to it. This helped her reduce the pressure from her family as well, and soon they yielded to her wish. She started living in a house erected in their garden and chose a simple lifestyle. She tended to those in need and always lived a pious life, tempted by nothing but the way of the Lord. She was canonized on April 12, 1671, and declared the patron saint of Peru, all of America, gardeners, embroiders, and florists.