Subj : September 4th - Saint Rose of Viterbo To : All From : rich Date : Tue Sep 03 2019 08:48:06 From: rich September 4th - Saint Rose of Viterbo, Virgin, Visionary c.1233-1251 This Italian girl made public speeches in the streets of Viterbo when she was only 12 years old. It was the time when Emperor Frederick II was struggling to make Rome the civil as well as the ecclesiastical capital of the known world, with himself as the chieftain of a united empire of Germany and Italy. Pope Gregory IX had entered an alliance with the Lombards and several other groups when Frederick attacked the Lombards, Gregory excommunicated him. Frederick then set out to conquer the papal states and the independent cities of the north. By 1240 he had occupied Viterbo, dividing the city into two noisy factions, Guelfs and Ghibellines. =C2 Such was the world into which Saint Rose of Viterbo was born, the child of poor parents. She showed a degree of virtue unusual in a child, and a legend tells that at the age of 3 she raised her aunt from death by her prayers. At seven, Rose wished to live a solitary life in a room in her parents' home but shortly afterward became ill and was believed near death. After a vision of our Lady, who told her she was to receive the habit of Saint Francis, Rose recovered and became a Franciscan tertiary. =C2 Involved in the political disturbances of the time was an heretical faction called the Patareni, whose teachings were akin to the Albigensian heresy in France. After a brief preparation in prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ, Rose began to traverse the streets of Viterbo with a crucifix or other sacred image in her hand, calling out the names of Jesus and Mary and urging the people to return to church-going. She was only 12 years old! Standing on a stone because of her short stature she would cry out against the vices and disorders of the day, explain the truths of the faith, and condemn the errors and false doctrines of the heretics. This was a situation distressing enough to the government, but when her speeches were rumored to be attended by certain miracles, the crowds about her house increased until her father forbade her to appear in public under the penalty of being beaten. Rose's answer was: "if Jesus could be beaten for me, I can be beaten for Him." She knew what God wanted her to do. Through the intervention of the parish priest, Rose was permitted by her father to preach, and for two years she continued to preach fidelity to the faith and to the pope. The ire of the heretics was unbounded and they finally persuaded the official who governed the city in the name of the emperor to banish Rose and her parents. At Soriano, Rose continued her apostolic mission and on December 3, 1250, prophesied the death of Frederick, which took place 11 days later. =C2 After the death of Frederick, the papal forces regained control of Viterbo, and Rose and her parents returned. She applied for admission to the convent of Saint Mary of the Roses but was refused by the abbess. Rose took the refusal calmly: "You will not have me now, but perhaps you will be more willing when I am dead." =C2 Through the help of the parish priest a chapel near the convent was opened as a religious center for Rose and a few companions. But the convent demanded the privilege that no other religious community of women should be situated within a given distance of their own, and an order was obtained from Pope Innocent IV for the closing of Rose's chapel. She returned to her parent's home where she continued her life of prayer and penance, and died there a few months later at the age of 18. =C2 Once more God had used one of the weak ones of the world to vanquish the mighty. The people of Viterbo still honor Rose as protectress of their city and there are two gay and colorful festivals every year to celebrate her life and miracles and remind men that prayer and penance can turn the tide of history. Saint Quote: Rose's dying words to her parents were: "I die with joy, for I desire to be united to my God. Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening, but sweet and precious." --Saint Rose of Viterbo Bible Quote: There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them.=C2 (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ) <><><><> Prayer To Mary Consoler of the Afflicted O Immaculate Mary, Dear Mother, Consoler, I take refuge in your most lovable Heart with all the trust of which I am capable. You shall be dearest object of my love and my veneration. From you, the dispenser of heavenly treasures, I shall always seek peace in my troubles, light in my doubts, defence in my dangers, help in my needs. Be therefore my refuge, my strength, my consolation O Mary Consoler. At the hour of my death, graciously receive the last beats of my heart, and obtain for me a place in that heavenly country, where as one, all hearts shall praise forever the adorable Heart of Jesus, with your most lovable Heart, O Mary, my Mother. Consoler of the Afflicted, pray for us, who have recourse to you. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .