Saintly Saturday - St. Rosalia


St. Rosalia, whose feast day is September 4th, was born of noble birth in Palermo, Sicily in 1130. Her parents were Sinibald, Lord of Roses, & Quisquina. 

She was a pious youth & turned to God over earthly things. When she left home, she was led to a cave by angels & it was there she lived the rest of her life, hidden away from the world.

After her death in 1166, the following was found written on the wall of her cave, 

"I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ."

In 1624, during a plague in Palermo, it is reported that she appeared to a plague victim & that this woman was healed of her illness. Rosalia is also said to have appeared to a hunter & that she led him to her cave. There he found her bones & brought them back to the city. After three rounds of procession through Palermo the plague ceased. This led to her patronage of plague victims, including many in Palermo turning to her intercession during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rosalia is also on as the patron saint of Palermo, Camargo in Chihuahua, & 3 towns in Venezuela.

St. Rosalia, Pray for Us!

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