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| Santa Rosa, ora pro nobis |
Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious. ~ St. Rose of ViterboMarch 6th is the Feast of Santa Rosa da Viterbo (1233-1251), Virgin, Mystic and Miracle Worker. A poor Franciscan Third Order penitent, young Rosa was a zealous street preacher who, inspired by a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, exhorted Christians to live a life filled with prayer and penance.
During the great power struggle between Emperor Frederick II and the papacy, Rosa sided with the local Guelph faction loyal to Pope Innocent IV against the rival Ghibellines, who supported the Holy Roman Emperor. Briefly exiled to Soriano nel Cimino for her political alignment, she foretold the impending death of the Emperor and soon returned home after papal dominion was restored.
In addition to her gift of prophecy, Rosa was also a great miracle worker. According to tradition, while preaching at nearby Vitorchiano she came across a witch and tried to convert her. Failing to do so, Rosa had the townspeople build a large wooden pyre and climbed on top. Setting it ablaze, she sang the praises of God for three hours while engulfed in flames. Seeing Rosa emerge miraculously unscathed, the astonished sorceress and all the other doubters in the town immediately repented.
Back in Viterbo, she sought admission into the Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), but was turned away because she could not provide the required dowery. Accepting the decision, she foretold her admission to the convent after her death. Continuing her life of penance and mendicancy, she soon fell ill and died at the age of eighteen.
Not long after her death, Rosa appeared in glory to Pope Alexander IV and urged him to translate her body. Found to be incorrupt, the Holy Father had her body moved from the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Poggio to the church in the Monastery of the Poor Clares, as she had prophesied. The church and monastery are now named after Santa Rosa. On September 4th the city of Viterbo commemorates the translation.
In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Saint Rose of Viterbo. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken in 2019 at the Chiesa Sant'Anna in Pietrelcina, Benevento. Evviva Santa Rosa!
Prayer to Saint Rose of Viterbo
Lord God, who gave the holy Virgin Rose gift upon gift from heaven, grant, we pray, that, imitating her virtues on earth, we may delight with her in the joys of eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.