First Saint of the New World

St. Rose of Lima, patroness of South America, was born a mere 54 years after the Spaniard, Francisco Pizarro, arrived in Peru bringing conquest and Christianity with him. Peru and almost half the South American continent was ruled by the Incas, a highly civilized peoples who worshiped the sun and revered their king as the child of the sun. Pizarro brought with him five Dominicans, and while the conquistadors relentlessly pursued gold, the missionaries zealously pursued souls. The Dominicans labored under many obstacles, but they "did splendid and efficient work in Christianizing the natives" (Catholic Encyclopedia) and founded many churches, monasteries, convents, and schools. St. Rose of Lima was educated by Dominicans and became a third order Dominican. From an early age, St. Rose devoted herself to a life of intense prayer and mortification, for which she was often misunderstood by family and neighbors and suffered from their ridicule. But she was also consoled by deep communion with Christ. She died at the young age of 31 on August 24, 1617 and was canonized in 1671 as the first saint of the New World.

St. Rose's short life of severe penance may seem extreme to us and so Fr. Alban Butler in his Lives of the Saints cautions:

The mode of life and ascetical practices of St. Rose of Lima are suitable only for those few whom God calls to them; the ordinary Christian may not seek to copy them, but must look to the universal spirit of heroic sanctity behind them; for all the saints, whether in the world, in the desert or in the cloister, studied to live [sic] every moment to God. If we have a pure intention of always doing His will, as the governing principle of our whole lives, we thus consecrate to Him all our time, even our meals, our rest, our conversation and whatever else we do: all our works will thus be full.

To learn more about Peru and its saints read these excerpts from a supplement (found on our website) to CTP's Light the Nations I and All Ye Lands.

Additional Resources:

St. Rose of Lima by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (for children)

St. Rose of Lima picture to color.

Celebrate with St. Rose of Lima cookies.

Homily of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at the Shrine of St. Rose of Lima in Lima, Peru

St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas by Sr. Mary Alphonsus, O.SS.R.

The History of the Conquest of Peru by William Prescott (check your library)

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