Born Isabel Flores de Olivia in April 1586 in Lima, Peru to Spanish colonists, Saint Rose of Lima took the name Rose at her confirmation in 1597. Legend holds that she received this nickname as an infant because a servant saw her face transformed into a rose.

Even as a child Saint Rose was dedicated to Christ. Growing up she made many secret penances. And when she was old enough to be married, deterred suitors by cutting off her hair and rubbing pepper on face to make it blister. She took a vow of chastity even though her parents wished her to marry. She fasted many times a week and permanently abstained from meat.

Eventually her parents gave in and allowed her to join the Third Order of St. Dominic, although she was not permitted to live in a convent. Saint Rose undertook severe penances, allowing herself only two hours of sleep a night in order to have more time to pray, wearing a heavy silver crown with spikes on the inside imitating Christ’s crown of thorns, and even burning her own hands. However, she also cared for the sick and hungry, and sold her beautiful embroidery and fine lace, as well as flowers she grew to help raise funds for the poor.

She died at the age of 31 on August 24, 1617. Pope Clement X canonized her in 1671, she was the first saint of the New World, born in the Americas. Saint Rose of Lima is the patron saint of Latin America and the Philippines.