Rose was born in a poor but pious family at Viterbo, near Rome. From early childhood she was blessed with miraculous powers and remarkable holiness. When she was eight years old, her health gave way. However, the Blessed Virgin healed her and instructed her to join the Franciscan Third Order, which she did promptly. In the meanwhile Rose was divinely inspired to play a prophetic role in defense of the Church by preaching boldly in the street corners of Viterbo against the anti-Christian activities of Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor who controlled that city. Her success was astounding. But the net result was that in 1250 Rose and her parents were banished from Viterbo by the Prefect of that City. On December 3 of the same year, she foretold the speedy death of the Emperor. Strangely enough, her prophecy proved true on December 13. In 1251 the Papal authority was once again restored in Viterbo and Rose returned to her hometown. Her yearning to join the monastery of St. Mary of the Roses in Viterbo could not be realized as poverty prevented her from paying the necessary “dowry.” At the age of seventeen, Rose had a peaceful death at home on March 6, 1252, and was canonized in 1457. The remains of the “darling” of Viterbo are preserved in the same monastery, which denied her admission while alive.
Reflection: Many genuine vocations to priestly and religious life have foundered on the rocks of human and material considerations. It is pertinent to repeat here Rose’s polite reply to the Abbess who denied her admission into her convent: “You will not have me now, but perhaps you will be more than willing when I am dead.”
If Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be beaten for him. (Rose’s reply to her father who threatened to cane her for preaching in the streets.)
