The Catholic Church marks Monday, August 23, the feast day of Santa Rosa de Lima, the first canonized saint of South America, and the revered patroness of Lima, Peru; South America; and the Philippines.
The praying of the holy rosary, novena prayers, and holy masses were held in her honor at the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish in Bagong Ilog, Pasig City from August 14 to 22. The holy masses were streamed live.
Parish priest Fr. Joeffrey Brian Caturan said the celebration of the fiesta “is all about personal renewal of our love and commitment to our patroness.” The theme for this year’s celebration is “Santa Rosa de Lima: Huwaran ng Tunay na Paglilingkod sa Diyos at Kapwa.”
Feast masses in honor of their patron saint will also be offered in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Alcoy, Cebu; Villareal, Western Samar; Gamu, Isabela; and Cabangan, Zambales.
Santa Rosa is considered as one of the most popular and widely venerated saints of the Roman Catholic Church. She is well venerated in the Philippines as well as in many parts of the world. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a known devotee of Sta. Rosa de Lima.
Born Isabel Flores de Oliva in Lima, Peru on April 30, 1586, Sta. Rosa observed great reverence and pronounced love for all things related to God since her younger days. At the age of 20, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic. She nurtured intense devotion to the Infant Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and the Holy Eucharist and religiously received Holy Communion every day up to the time of her death at the age of 31 on Aug. 24, 1617.
Pope Clement X canonized Santa Rosa on April 12, 1671. Her major shrine is the Basilica of Santo Domingo in Lima, Peru.