St. Rosa of Viterbo, of the 3rd Order of St. Francis (4 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Saint Rose of Viterbo was only a child when she began fearlessly defending the Catholic faith in the streets of her native city. Living during the turbulent conflict between Pope Gregory IX and Emperor Frederick II, this young Franciscan tertiary refused to remain silent—even when threatened, exiled, and branded a danger to the state. Born to a poor family in Viterbo, Italy, Rose displayed extraordinary devotion from her earliest years. After a serious illness at the age of eight, she reportedly received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who instructed her to take the habit of Saint Francis while remaining in her family home. There she embraced prayer, penance, and meditation upon the sufferings of Christ. At approximately twelve years old, Rose began preaching publicly in support of the Church and against the imperial Ghibelline occupation of Viterbo. Her words moved the people so deeply that authorities banished Rose and her parents from the city. Yet exile could not silence her. When her father threatened to beat her for preaching, Rose calmly answered: “If Jesus was beaten because of me, I can be beaten because of Him.” After returning to Viterbo, Rose sought admission to the convent of Santa Maria delle Rose. Because her family could provide no dowry, the abbess refused her. Rose reportedly predicted that although the sisters would not receive her while she lived, they would willingly receive her after her death. Saint Rose died on March 6, 1252, at only seventeen years of age. On September 4, 1258, her body was transferred to the convent that had once refused her. When a devastating fire later destroyed the church, her body remained preserved. Her incorrupt body continues to be venerated in Viterbo, where an annual procession honors the courageous young saint. Saint Rose of Viterbo, pray for us—especially that we may possess the courage to defend Christ and His Church without fear. Source: The Lives of the Saints by Father Alban Butler 00:00 Saint Rose of Viterbo 00:16 Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX 00:32 Rose’s birth and childhood virtues 00:56 A vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary 01:23 Rose receives the Franciscan habit 01:37 The young saint begins preaching 02:09 Her father attempts to silence her 02:17 “If Jesus was beaten because of me” 02:31 Rose defends the Pope’s cause 02:39 Condemned as a danger to the state 02:56 Rose and her family are exiled 03:05 Her prophecy concerning Frederick II 03:29 Rose returns triumphantly to Viterbo 03:38 Refused admission to the convent 03:55 Rose’s remarkable prediction 04:03 The attempted religious foundation 04:20 Her final years and holy death 04:33 Rose’s body transferred to the convent 04:40 Her body survives a devastating fire 04:56 The cause for her canonization https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/st-rosa-of-viterbo/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #SaintRosaOfViterbo #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #FranciscanSaints #IncorruptSaints #CatholicFaith #ChurchHistory #SaintsFeastDay #ButlersLivesOfTheSaints #CatholicMystics 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴