[Lady In Blue]

Saint Rose of Lima

Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: "Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven."

When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemd to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: "Hear, O people; hear, O nations. I am warning you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace unless we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep aprticipation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul."

"If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men."

from the writings of Saint Rose of Lima

[Lady In Blue]

ping

[NYer]

she rubbed her face with pepper until it was all red and blistered.

In anticipation of your posting the story of St. Rose of Lima, I read it on the web earlier today, hoping to find some worthy sentiment on which to comment. On the contrary. Granted St. Rose lived in the 16th century when lifestyles were quite different, but, as a mother, if my daughter were to do even half of what St. Rose did, I would be most concerned about her health. From what I read, she fasted 3 days a week, then 5 days a week, then 7 days a week ... eventually, she denied herself all food except for some water. She drove a pin through her head and wore a crown of nails.

No disrespect intended, and I am hoping some other poster will chastise me for thinking this way, but her behavior does not impress me as being in conformity with healthy norms. Then again, I have heard the same argument made against St. Francis. Was this, perchance, a reflection of that period in time?

[Salvation]

I heard Father say that she was patron saint of florists and gardeners.

[Salvation]

BTTT on 08-23-04!

[pascendi]

A couple years late, but thank you also for the reminder of St. Rose of Lima.

[NeoCaveman]

St. Rose of Lima parish in Cleveland, Ohio.