Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan delve into the life of St. Rose of Lima, highlighting her intense piety, family conflicts, and dedication to prayer, fasting, and self-imposed penances. They discuss her advocacy for the marginalized indigenous community, balancing devotion to God with familial duties, and her impactful service in Peru amidst political turmoil and poverty.
St. Rose of Lima exemplified extreme devotion through harsh penances and commitment to a life of prayer.
She balanced her contemplative life with active service, advocating for the oppressed and serving the poor.
Deep dives
Life and Devotion of Saint Rose of Lima
Saint Rose of Lima, born in 1586 in Lima, Peru, lived a life of deep piety and devotion. Despite coming from a well-to-do family, she chose a life of prayer and service to God from a young age, desiring to become a nun. Her intense life of prayer, deep devotion to the Eucharist, and engagement in harsh penances, like wearing a crown with points going into her head and practicing flagellations, exemplified her commitment to her faith.
Advocacy and Contemplation in Saint Rose of Lima's Life
Saint Rose of Lima's life reflected a blend of contemplation and active service to others. Despite her deep contemplative life and mystical experiences, she actively advocated for the oppressed native people of Peru and served the poor. Her obedience to her parents, along with her dedication to prayer and serving her family through her work, showcased the balance between vocation and family responsibilities.
Legacy of Saint Rose of Lima
Saint Rose of Lima's acceptance of the suffering of Christ and her spiritual aridity demonstrated her profound devotion to God. Her ability to navigate the tensions between contemplation and action, as well as her willingness to embrace suffering for personal and world transformation, left a lasting legacy of courage and faith. She serves as a model for integrating prayer, service, and family commitments, all while staying rooted in deep devotion to God.
Dr. Carl Vennerstrom and Mary McGeehan discuss the life and impact of St. Rose of Lima. Born in Lima in the late 16th century, Rose is known for her zealous faith, strong fasting, self-imposed penances, and her desire to remain unmarried to be Christ’s spouse. St. Rose experienced much tension between her vocation and her family life as her devotion to God sometimes conflicted with her obedience to her parents.