Rose of Viterbo
Encyclopedia
Saint Rose of Viterbo, T.O.S.F.
, (1233/4 – March 6, 1252) was a virgin saint
, born at Viterbo
, Italy
.
The chronology of her life must always remain uncertain, as the Acts of her canonization, the chief historical sources, record no dates. Those given above are accepted by the best authorities.
Born of poor and pious parents, Rose was remarkable for holiness and for her miraculous powers from her earliest years. When but three years old, she allegedly raised to life her maternal aunt. At the age of seven, she had already lived the life of a recluse, devoting herself to penances. Her health succumbed, but she was reputed to have been cured by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who ordered her to enroll herself in the Third Order of St. Francis
, and to preach penance
to Viterbo, at that time (1247) held by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
and a prey to political strife and heresy
.
Her mission seems to have extended for about two years, and such was her success that the Prefect
of the city decided to banish her. The imperial power was seriously threatened. Accordingly, Rose and her parents were expelled from Viterbo in January 1250, and took refuge in Soriano nel Cimino
. On December 5, 1250, Rose allegedly foretold the speedy death of the emperor, a prophecy realized on December 13. Soon afterwards she went to Vitorchiano
, whose inhabitants, according to surviving reports, were affected by a supposed sorceress
. Rose secured the conversion of all, even of the sorceress, reportedly by standing unscathed for three hours in the flames of a burning pyre
. Rose returned to Viterbo at the restoration of papal authority there in 1251.
She wished to enter the Poor Clare Monastery
of St. Mary of the Roses, but was refused because of her poverty, as she was not able to provide the dowry
required for admission. She agreed to her rejection, nonetheless foretelling her admission to the monastery after her death. The remainder of her life was spent in a cell
in her father's house, where she died. The process of her canonization
was opened in that year by Pope Innocent IV
, but was not definitively undertaken until 1457. Originally buried at the parish church
of Santa Maria in Poggio, in 1257 Pope Alexander IV
ordered it moved to the monastery she had desired to enter, at which time it was renamed in her honor. Her feast is celebrated on 4 September, the date of this transfer of her remains, when her body—incorrupt despite the passage of time—is carried in procession through Viterbo.
Rose of Viterbo is one of the religious figures featured in the award-winning series of saint plays by Erik Ehn
. The play celebrating her life premiered in October 2008 at Goshen College
.
It was long believed Rose died of tuberculosis. On June 11, 2010 researchers examining her remains concluded that she had died of a heart condition called Cantrell's syndrome.
. An online version is available here.
Cleary lists his sources as follows:
Third Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
, (1233/4 – March 6, 1252) was a virgin saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
, born at Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The chronology of her life must always remain uncertain, as the Acts of her canonization, the chief historical sources, record no dates. Those given above are accepted by the best authorities.
Born of poor and pious parents, Rose was remarkable for holiness and for her miraculous powers from her earliest years. When but three years old, she allegedly raised to life her maternal aunt. At the age of seven, she had already lived the life of a recluse, devoting herself to penances. Her health succumbed, but she was reputed to have been cured by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who ordered her to enroll herself in the Third Order of St. Francis
Third Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
, and to preach penance
Penance
Penance is repentance of sins as well as the proper name of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Anglican Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation/Confession. It also plays a part in non-sacramental confession among Lutherans and other Protestants...
to Viterbo, at that time (1247) held by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
and a prey to political strife and heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
.
Her mission seems to have extended for about two years, and such was her success that the Prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the city decided to banish her. The imperial power was seriously threatened. Accordingly, Rose and her parents were expelled from Viterbo in January 1250, and took refuge in Soriano nel Cimino
Soriano nel Cimino
Soriano nel Cimino is a town and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, central Italy.The town is overlooked by Monte Cimino, the highest peak in the Monti Cimini.-Main sights:...
. On December 5, 1250, Rose allegedly foretold the speedy death of the emperor, a prophecy realized on December 13. Soon afterwards she went to Vitorchiano
Vitorchiano
Vitorchiano is a comune in the Province of Viterbo in the Italian region Latium, located about 70 km northwest of Rome and about 7 km northeast of Viterbo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,690 and an area of 29.8 km².Vitorchiano borders the following municipalities:...
, whose inhabitants, according to surviving reports, were affected by a supposed sorceress
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. Rose secured the conversion of all, even of the sorceress, reportedly by standing unscathed for three hours in the flames of a burning pyre
Pyre
A pyre , also known as a funeral pyre, is a structure, usually made of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite...
. Rose returned to Viterbo at the restoration of papal authority there in 1251.
She wished to enter the Poor Clare Monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of St. Mary of the Roses, but was refused because of her poverty, as she was not able to provide the dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
required for admission. She agreed to her rejection, nonetheless foretelling her admission to the monastery after her death. The remainder of her life was spent in a cell
Cell
-Science and technology:*Cell , the functional basic unit of life*Cell , a term used in an electronic circuit design schematics*Cell , a three-dimensional element, part of a higher-dimensional object*Cell , a scientific journal...
in her father's house, where she died. The process of her canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
was opened in that year by Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
, but was not definitively undertaken until 1457. Originally buried at the parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
of Santa Maria in Poggio, in 1257 Pope Alexander IV
Alexander IV
Alexander IV may refer to:* Pope Alexander IV , Pope from 1254 until his death* Alexander IV of Macedon , son of Alexander the Great...
ordered it moved to the monastery she had desired to enter, at which time it was renamed in her honor. Her feast is celebrated on 4 September, the date of this transfer of her remains, when her body—incorrupt despite the passage of time—is carried in procession through Viterbo.
Rose of Viterbo is one of the religious figures featured in the award-winning series of saint plays by Erik Ehn
Erik Ehn
Erik Ehn is an American playwright and director known for proposing the Regional Alternative Theatre movement. The former dean of theater at CalArts, the California Institute of Arts, he is head of playwriting and professor of theatre and performance studies at Brown University...
. The play celebrating her life premiered in October 2008 at Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
.
It was long believed Rose died of tuberculosis. On June 11, 2010 researchers examining her remains concluded that she had died of a heart condition called Cantrell's syndrome.
Sources
The immediate source is the article, signed by Gregory Cleary, in the 1914 edition of the Catholic EncyclopediaCatholic Encyclopedia
The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...
. An online version is available here.
Cleary lists his sources as follows:
- Bullar. Franc., 1, 640;
- Acta Proc. Canonizationis, ann. 1456 in Acta SS., IV Sept.;
- WADDING, Annales Min. (Rome, 1731), II, 423; III, 280;
- ANDREUCCI, Notizie criticoistoriche di S. Rosa, Verg. Viterbese (Rome, 1750);
- BRIGANTI, S. Rosa ed il suo secolo (Venice, 1889);
- LEON, Lives of the Saints of the Three Orders of S. Francis (Taunton, England, 1886).
- The best modern life is that by DE KERVAL, Ste Rose, sa vie et son temps (Vanves, 1896);
- PIZZI, Storia della Città di Viterbo (Rome, 1887).
External links
- ROSE of Viterbo
- SAINTE ROSE of VITERBO
- Rose of Viterbo at the Catholic Encyclopedia