Saint Rose of Viterbo

Saint Rose of Viterbo

Saint Rose of Viterbo was born in Viterbo, Italy in 1235, and died March 6, 1252. The chronology of her life remains uncertain, as the Acts of her canonization, the chief historical sources, record no dates. Those given are accepted by the best authorities.

Born of poor and pious parents, Rose was remarkable for holiness and for her miraculous powers from her earliest years. When she was three years old, she raised from the dead her maternal aunt. At the age of seven, she had already lived the life of a recluse, devoting herself to prayers.

At age ten, her health succumbed, but she was miraculously cured by the Blessed Virgin, who ordered her to enroll herself in the Third Order of St. Francis, and to preach and pray to Viterbo, at that time (1247) held by Frederick II of Germany and a prey to political strife and heresy. Her mission seems to have extended for about two years, and such was her success that the prefect of the city decided to banish her. The imperial power was seriously threatened. Accordingly, Rose and her parents were expelled from Viterbo in January, 1250, and took refuge in Sorriano.

Saint Rose was often seen with birds of all kinds around her. She could levitate, and was also a phrophetess, and on December 5, 1250, Rose foretold the speedy death of the emperor, a prophecy realized on December 13th of that same year. Soon afterwards she went to Vitorchiano, whose inhabitants had been perverted by a famous sorceress. Rose secured the conversion of all, even of the sorceress, by standing unscathed for three hours in the flames of a burning pyre that she herself set, a miracle as striking as it is well attested. With the restoration of Pope Alexander IV to papal power in Viterbo (1251) Rose returned.

She wished to enter the monastery of St. Mary of the Roses, but was refused because of her poverty (she did not have a dowry). She humbly submitted, foretelling her admission to the monastery after her death. The remainder of her life was spent in the cell in her father's house, where she died. Pope Alexander IV ordered her body layed to rest in the convent that had refused her. Her feast is celebrated on 4 September, when her body, still incorrupt, is carried in procession through Viterbo.