Sister Mary Alphonsus wrote a great biography of Saint Rose of Lima, called St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas, who lived from 1586 to 1617. The biography was called St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas. Sister Mary Alphonsus says Saint Rose of Lima is the Patroness of the Americas and is the first canonized saint of the New World. As Sister Mary Alphonsus says, Saint Rose of Lima was the tenth of thirteen children, and her mother experienced no pain at her birth. Sister Mary Alphonsus has done us a great service by writing this biography. Have you ever heard of a more impactful saint than Saint Rose of Lima?
Saint Rose of Lima Biography
We know some other facts about Saint Rose of Lima from the biography St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas that Sister Mary Alphonsus wrote. For instance, she was beautiful (hence her nickname, Rose), but she refused to marry and stayed a virgin. Rosee helped support her family by needlework and growing flowers. Rose practiced heroic charity and lived as a Dominican Tertiary in her parents’ home. Rose tenderly cared for the sick, even those with repulsive wounds, and she often obtained miraculous cures for people from Jesus.
Saint Rose of Lima also worked miracles in order to feed the members of her family, says Sister Mary Alphonsus in St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas. Rose became known as “Mother of the Poor.” She continually prayed and offered her sufferings for the conversion of those who were not Catholic, such as the Incas.
In the year 1615, through her prayers, the Blessed Sacrament and the people of Lima were spared attack by pirates. Saint Rose was a friend and confidant of St. Martin de Porres, who lived in the same city. Amazingly, two saints knew each other, though that often seems to be the case. It is also the case that many saints, like Saint Rose of Lima, die young.
The biography of Saint Rose of Lima, written by Sister Mary Alphonsus, proceeds chronologically, stepping through the Saint’s life. The biography is interspersed with many quotations from Rose herself. That makes it an interesting read. St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas is recommendaded and will certainly appeal to Catholics, but will also appeal to students of history or of Latin America.
Though dead at only 31, St. Rose’s love of God was so intense that she was recognized as a saint in her own time and was canonized by the Church only fifty-four years later, in 1671. Saint Rose of Lima captured the imagination of the world and is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Catholic church. She has about one hundred churches named after her around the world.
About Sister Mary Alphonsus
Sister Mary Alphonsus, was a Catholic nun and author in the twentieth century. Her biography of St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas tells the tale of a humble, young, poor girl who gave her life to God rather than to the suitors who eagerly pursued her. Sister Alphonsus’ work was originally published in 1968, but published again in 2000. This is the only book she ever wrote.
Conclusion
This biography of Saint Rose of Lima is recommended. It will appeal to Catholics and those interested in Latin American history. One of the best things about this book is the interspersion thoughout of quotes from Rose and her contemoraries. The reader will learn many interesting facts about Saint Rose of Lima from reading St. Rose of Lima: Patroness of the Americas.
