Rose of Lima

The first blossom of holiness to be recognized in the New World, this soul turned a small garden in Peru into a sanctuary of mystical union. She lived a life of extreme penance, wearing a silver crown of thorns and dedicating her suffering to the salvation of her people. She understood the eternal truth that without the burden of afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace. She represents the power of a hidden life, proving that the most influential force in a society is the silent sacrifice of a soul in love with God.