SAINT FEAST DAY 7 MAY: ST ROSA VENERINI

SAINT ROSA VENERINI, VIRGIN

On May 7, one of the saints remembered by the Church is Saint Rosa Venerini. She was born in 1656 at Viterbo, Italy, then part of the Papal States.

As a young person, St Rosa made a dedication to consecrate her life to God.

However, at the age of twenty she had questions about her future and chose to accept an offer of marriage; her fiance sadly died a short time after her acceptance.

A LIFE CONSECRATED TO GOD

Later that year St Rosa took the advice of her father and entered the Dominican Monastery of St Catherine, where her aunt had previously become a member. St Rosa only remained there a few months because her father died and she left to go home and care for her mother. Soon afterwards, first her brother died and then her mother.

Only St Rosa and her sister remained at home. They would invite local girls and women to join them at home to pray the Rosary together. St Rosa later decided to dedicate herself to instructing young people in the Catholic Faith.

SHE FOUNDED HER FIRST SCHOOL

In 1685, St Rosa left home and founded her first school, the first public school for girls in Italy. The objective was to give good Christian formation to the pupils and prepare the poor girls for life in society. It was not an easy start as local priests, who thought it was their role to give instruction, resisted the work at the school.

St Rosa, with her characteristic strength, continued her work without any hesitation, her motto being "Educate to set free."

Cardinal Barbarigo came to know of St Rosa's educational work and entrusted her with the schools in his area and the training of the teachers. Other schools were opened by St Rosa, eventually a school in Rome. Pope Clement XI visited this school and observed its good work. The Pope said: "Signora Rosa, you are doing that which we cannot do. We thank you very much, because with these schools you will sanctify Rome".

"YOU WILL SANCTIFY ROME"

After this, St Rosa's work increased and many cardinals and governors asked her to form schools in their area. St Rosa travelled around on a mule and lived on the alms given to her by the people. In a short time it was noted that a moral improvement had taken place in the young people who attended her schools.

St Rosa died in Rome on May 7, 1728, having opened more than 40 schools. She was canonised a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

As she lay dying, a priest asked if St Rosa wanted to pray to God to restore her health so that she could serve Him a little longer. She replied: "Father, I find myself so completely attached to His divine will that I desire neither to live nor to die. I wish to live so long as He desires and I wish to serve Him for as long as He desires and no longer." As we pray in the Our Father: "Thy will be done."

St Rosa Venerini, pray for us.

(From: Spiritual Thought from Fr Chris)

WELCOME

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