Saint Rose of Viterbo
Saint Rose of ViterboArose will bloom in the desertSaint Rose of Viterbo came in when Frederick II was excommunicated; he retaliated by attacking the papal state. In 1240, Frederick II decided to occup Viterbo! The Lord always with us, in time of need, sent into this world of hopelessness and helplessness, a baby! A few years before the frightening entry of Frederick II into the sweet, serene village of Viterbo, there was an entry that would inflame the populace with new courage and hope, a child was born! Little Rose, who was named when she was baptized, would let out a cry that would grow and grow until it awakened the people to a new consciousness that they could make a difference.Her parents were not of noble birth, but had insteadthe gifts needed by a future Saint, holiness, virtue, piety, humilityand charity. From her earliest years, Rose showed an alive, unending,overflowing love for the Church, for Jesus, the Blessed Mother, theAngels and the Saints. When she was just eight years old, she had avision of the Blessed Mother in which Mother Mary told Rose she would beclothed in the habit of St. Francis. She was not to become a cloisteredNun, but a tertiary, part of the third order, remaining at home, givingwitness to her family and neighbors by word and action of Jesus in herlife. Saint Rose of Viterbo - Role ModelShe later became ill. But the Lord having too much for her to do, she soon recovered and donned the habit of the lay penitents of St. Francis. When she began, to contemplate Jesus’ suffering, and how wounded He was by the ingratitude of His children, Saint Rose of Viterbo went to the people of Viterbo, preaching in the streets, knocking on doors, going from house to house, berating her neighbors for their complacency and apathy toward the freedom they had lost at the hands of Frederick II.She told them they could be free; all they had to do was overthrow the Ghibelline garrison. She was all of age twelve! But her age did not deter the populace from listening, their hearts on fire! It had been so long since anyone had spoken of the beauty of Italy, of the promise the Lord made to His children not to leave them orphans. She told them they were not born to be slaves, but free! They listened! And miracles came about! Everywhere she went, she was greeted warmly; citizens having heard of her and the marvels surrounding her speechmaking, gathered to hear the Good News! Men who no longer had the will to get up in the morning were plowing their land, once more; after all, it was their land, little Saint Rose of Viterbo had said so. And so, new life came into the ancient village of Viterbo. Crowds began to gather; her father became nervous; soon, the authorities would hear of her and they would all be punished. What was wrong with her; after all, they had food on their table! He scolded; he pleaded; he berated her; he cajoled her; finally, she leaving him no recourse, he threatened to beat her if she did not stay home and cease her preaching. Rose replied, "If Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be beaten for Him. I do what He has told me to do, and I must not disobey Him."
Father and daughter seemed at loggerheads, when thelocal parish priest intervened; he urged her father to cease restraining Saint Rose of Viterbo from doing her Divinely appointed duty. He withdrew his objectionsand Rose was free to preach; and preach she did, tirelessly rising earlyin the morning, retiring late at night, as if one driven, knowing timewas short. This sounds like the urgency Jesus had with three shortyears to reach the children of God. This sounds like the time ofJesus; it sounds like today, with the few speaking out, the JohnBaptists of our day crying out in the desert, Repent and be saved!And the many.....? Saint Rose of Viterbo book - dvd - cd - click to view details Ebook available $4.95 download ebook Visit our other sites: New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
