This week, we’re diving into the inspiring life of Saint Rose of Lima—the first saint from the New World. Born into a noble family in colonial Peru, she was known for her beauty, but chose a radically different path. Rather than following society’s expectations, Saint Rose dedicated her life to serving God by caring for the sick, the poor, and the forgotten. She broke the mold—and in doing so, changed lives. When she passed away, the entire city of Lima showed up to her funeral, proving just how deeply she had touched her community.

Jolt of Faith – Full Text
Saintly Summer: Seeing Christ in the Forgotten: The Legacy of Saint Rose of Lima 8/28

This week, I’d like to talk about Saint Rose of Lima. Saint Rose was the first saint from the New World. She grew up in Lima, Peru during the colonial age – colonial era of that time. She was from a minor noble family. She was known for her beauty. Ergo her name, Saint Rose. But Saint Rose, instead, wanted to dedicate her life to God. And she did that by founding hospitals, caring for the sick, all the things that beautiful, noble, young girls are not supposed to do. She broke the mold because she realized God was calling her not just to get married and live a life of leisure, but to truly make a difference in her world. And when Saint Rose died, what thought was an obscure unknown young woman to literally the entire city of Lima to her funeral. Saint Rose made a difference by serving the people that society often forgot. And, you know, it’s very easy for all of us to overlook the poor, the unpleasant, the sick, the incarcerated, the suffering. Like Saint Rose, we’re not called to stay locked in our little bubble. Like her, we too are called to see Christ in the face of the suffering, in the needy in those who are in most need of our love and our compassion. Maybe we can learn that powerful lesson from Saint Rose to reach outside of our comfort zone and learn to take care of Christ in the face of the poor and the forgotten. Not a sermon, not a homily, just that little Jolt of Faith we all may need.