Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima

Saint Rose of Lima, Peru is the patron saint of the Parish of Santa Rosa, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. She was born on April 20, 1586 and died at the age of 31 on August 24, 1617. She became the first Catholic saint of the Americas. Her real name is Isabel Flores de Oliva with her nickname Rosa since her face transformed into a rose when she was a baby as claimed by a servant. She was so upset to have been beautiful and that she even disfigured her face with pepper and lye. She hurt herself to help others. Rose helped the sick and hungry in her community and even brought them to her house to take care of them. Her martyrdom continued for 11 years without relaxation. She was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671. She is the patroness of Lima, Peru, Latin America, the Philippines, Santa Rosa, California, and Sittard in the Netherlands. Patronage for embroiderers, gardeners, people ridiculed for their piety, and against vanity.

We attended the celebration in Sarrat last Saturday, August 23 upon the invitation of Mrs Tessie Dimagiba to all the Tawid Choir members. Its also the ninth year anniversary of her son Fr. Papus Dimagiba to the priesthood. Together with Bishop Utleg and other priests, they celebrated a mass for the feast.