ST. ROSE OF VITERBO

Rose was born of a poor family. She showed great spiritual maturity even at an early age. At 7, she used to stay in her small room to pray. Later, she became a Third Order Franciscan; as such she lived at home, especially because a vision of the Virgin Mary told her to stay with her family to be a witness.  

When the excommunicated Emperor Frederick came to occupy Viterbo, the twelve-year-old girl told the people not to submit to him but to rebel and remove the king's garrison. Her controversial move caused her whole family to be banished.

After the death of Emperor Frederick, Rose returned to Viterbo. Probably forgetting the Virgin Mary's message to her to stay home, she tried to enter an order but was refused for her being too controversial. So she continued living as a contemplative in her home. She died at seventeen. Her body lies incorrupt and venerated, of all places, at the monastery that had refused to accept her. 

(10-01-02)