St Rose of Viterbo’s Day
Rose (1234-52) was a short-lived but meteoric saint of thirteenth-century Italy whose astonishing career began at age 3 when she raised her aunt from the dead. At the age of seven she was living an ascetic lifestyle; by the age of ten she believed she had been commissioned by the Virgin Mary and was preaching repentance in the streets and leading religious processions. She had a reputation as a prophet and as one who could communicate with the birds. For taking the side of the papacy in the quarrel with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, she was exiled to Soriano where she prophesied the death of the emperor — this occurred within a week. In a neighbouring town she confronted a notorious sorceress and converted the townspeople and the witch by standing unscathed for three hours in a burning pyre.
Returning to Viterbo, Rose wished to enter the Poor Clares, a Franciscan order for women, but was refused because she was too poor to bring a “dowry” with her. She prophesied that she would be admitted after her death which took place shortly after at age 17. Pope Alexander IV ordered the convent to receive her body.
Rose is the patron saint of Viterbo, exiles and those refused by religious orders. A procession honouring her takes place yearly in her native town.
I had never heard of St. Rose … what a story!