Catholic Saints Podcast – St. Rose of Lima
Host: Mary McGeehan
Guest: Dr. Carl Vennerstrom
Date: August 23, 2025
Episode Theme: Exploring the Life, Spirituality, and Legacy of St. Rose of Lima
Overview
In this episode, Mary McGeehan and Dr. Carl Vennerstrom discuss the remarkable life and spiritual depth of St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the Americas. Through historical context, biography, and theological reflection, they highlight her intense devotion, struggles within her family, care for the poor, and impact on the wider Church. The episode seeks to present St. Rose as both a model of contemplative prayer and active charity, offering practical inspiration for modern listeners.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Biographical Introduction: Life in Colonial Peru
[02:14–04:52]
- Born “Isabel Flores de Olivia” in Lima, Peru, 1586.
- Lived her entire (short) life in Lima, dying at 31 (1617).
- Of mixed Spanish and Peruvian descent. Her father was a Spanish colonist; her mother had both Spanish and Peruvian roots.
- Family was well-to-do but later faced financial hardship.
- Dr. Vennerstrom drew a comparison with St. Catherine of Siena, whom Rose emulated: “Her story is actually kind of similar… to St. Catherine of Siena, whom she emulated and really loved.” (04:00)
2. Early Piety and Desire for Consecrated Life
[04:53–05:41]
- From a young age, Rose felt drawn to religious life, but her parents wanted her to marry to improve family fortunes.
- She was known for her beauty, which drew many suitors; to avoid marriage, she cut her hair and disfigured her face with pepper and lye.
- Eventually, her parents compromised, providing her a private room for prayer.
3. Daily Life and Practices
[04:41–05:41]
- Supported her family financially by growing flowers for sale and crafting fine embroidery.
- Slept very little, keeping intense prayer vigils: “She slept about two hours a night… and was deeply devoted to the Eucharist, which she received every day.” (05:09)
- Embraced severe penances, including wearing a crown of silver thorns and practicing self-flagellation.
4. The Spiritual and Cultural Climate of Peru
[05:44–07:20]
- Catholicism was strong among Spanish and was spread to native peoples by missionaries.
- Rose “advocated for… and served the poor, which was a little against the grain in general, but she had good company. Saint Martin de Porres was a contemporary and advisor to her.” (07:00)
- She became a symbol of the tensions and intersections between Spanish colonial society, indigenous people, and the Church’s mission.
5. Vocation Affirmed Through Vision
[07:26–08:54]
- At around age 20, her mother Olivia had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary confirming Rose’s vocation:
- “This rose represents your daughter, my son’s cherished flower… I plucked her for him from your garden, and he will not let her go.” (07:37)
- Jesus: “Come, spouse of Christ, accept the crown the Lord has prepared for thee from eternity.” (08:08)
- After this, her mother stopped objecting; Rose became a Dominican tertiary, mirroring St. Catherine of Siena.
6. Naming and Mystical Identity
[09:00–09:18]
- Adopted “Rose” as her name after Confirmation. Legends say a servant once saw her face change into a rose.
7. Charisms and Legacy within the Church
[09:33–12:37]
- Exemplified tension between obedience to family and fidelity to God’s call.
- “This kind of wrecked her emotionally… she was extremely devoted and obedient to her parents.” (10:19)
- She balanced the demands by contributing to her family while pursuing her vocation.
- Advocated for the poor and served the oppressed, aligning contemplation with works of charity.
- Model of integrating active and contemplative lives: “She shows the mutual need for contemplation and activity… beautifully conjoined and complementary.” (12:09)
8. Suffering and Spiritual Dryness
[12:50–14:33]
- Her intense penances served as a profound identification with Christ’s suffering, though the physical severity is “maybe not an example for almost anyone.” (12:50)
- Experienced deep spiritual dryness (“aridity”), counseled by St. Martin de Porres:
- St. Martin: “You should find in this… a source of encouragement since he purifies most those for whom he has destined the most perfect union with himself.” (13:48)
- Their friendship highlighted her openness to spiritual guidance and contemporary holiness.
9. Symbols, Prayers, and Patronage
[15:04–15:27]
- Most recognizable symbol: the rose.
- Associative links with St. Thérèse of Lisieux, sharing themes of spiritual childhood and “the little way,” even if influence is more spiritual than historical.
10. Final Years and Death
[15:52–16:00]
- Died at age 31, likely from ill health due to extreme penances and ascetic practices.
11. Integration, Courage, and Application
[16:09–17:39]
- Dr. Vennerstrom: “She’s a beautiful witness for courage and for the embrace of suffering, for personal transformation, but then also the transformation of the world.” (16:09)
- Her life is a guide to integrating prayer, contemplation, family obligations, active charity, and social advocacy.
- Mary: “How do I be a contemplative… while also being integrated and loving of my family? There’s just a lot of tensions…” (16:51)
- Dr. Vennerstrom’s encouragement: “We can all make time for prayer, and if we do that, then if we’re patient, God will find a way through these tensions.” (17:30)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Her story is actually kind of similar… to St. Catherine of Siena, whom she emulated and really loved.”
— Dr. Vennerstrom, 04:00 -
“She slept about two hours a night… and was deeply devoted to the Eucharist, which she received every day.”
— Dr. Vennerstrom, 05:09 -
“This rose represents your daughter, my son’s cherished flower… I plucked her for him from your garden, and he will not let her go.”
— Vision recounted by Dr. Vennerstrom, 07:37 -
“She shows the mutual need for contemplation and activity… beautifully conjoined and complementary.”
— Dr. Vennerstrom, 12:09 -
“She’s a beautiful witness for courage and for the embrace of suffering, for personal transformation, but then also the transformation of the world.”
— Dr. Vennerstrom, 16:09 -
“We can all make time for prayer, and if we do that, then if we’re patient, God will find a way through these tensions.”
— Dr. Vennerstrom, 17:30
Important Segment Timestamps
- 02:14 — Biographical introduction and context
- 04:41 — Rose’s daily life and penances
- 05:44 — Catholicism in colonial Peru and Rose’s advocacy
- 07:26 — Mother’s vision confirming Rose’s vocation
- 09:00 — Adoption of the name “Rose”
- 12:50 — Role of suffering and spiritual dryness
- 15:04 — Symbols and association with roses
- 15:52 — Her early death
- 16:09 — Final reflections on legacy and integration
Takeaway
St. Rose of Lima stands as an inspiring example of living a fully integrated Christian life—deeply contemplative, fiercely devoted, obedient and loving to family, yet profoundly active in serving the poor and advocating for justice. Her willingness to embrace suffering, her courage in following her vocation despite trials, and her enduring impact on the Church remain models for all who seek to unite prayer with action.