St. Rose of Viterbo – September 4th
Rose was born in Italy of poor parents, back in the time when the Emperor Frederick had conquered land that belonged to the Pope. Her special mission was to make the people of her own city and nearby cities be faithful to the Holy Father. And this she did when she was just a young teenager.
In fact, Rose was only eight years old when our Blessed Mother told her a while she was sick that she was to wear the habit of St. Francis and give good example by her words and actions. After she gained back her health, Rose began to think more and more of how much Jesus suffered for us and how much sinners hurt Him.
Later on, this daring girl began to preach in the streets of the city, telling people to resist the Emperor who had taken the land from the Church. So many people listened to the Saint that Rose’s father became frightened and told her he would beat her if she did not stop preaching. She was only about thirteen, but she answered gently, “If Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be beaten for Him. I do what He has told me to do, and I must not disobey Him.”
Two years more Rose preached with such effect that the enemies of the Pope wanted her killed. In the end, the ruler sent the Saint and her parents out of the city. But Rose said that the Emperor was going to die soon, and that is just what happened. Back in Viterbo, the Saint was not permitted to become a nun, she returned to her own home. There she died when she was only seventeen, and her body it still preserved and venerated in Viterbo.
In her very short life St. Rose did much good. I, too, will occupy my time as well as I can, especially offering my help to my Pastor and Sisters.