Today is August 23, the optional memorial of St. Rose of Lima.
We read at today’s Mass, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:11-12).
St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the Americas, shows us what true humility looks like. From her youth, she consecrated herself to God, setting her heart on him alone. She lived in a small hut in her parents’ backyard, devoting herself to penance and prayer. Rose turned away from marriage and worldly honors, preferring instead to be hidden with Christ.
Her humility was most striking in the way she responded to criticism. Rose was unfazed by personal attacks, accepting ridicule in silence. Her canonization process attests, “Many were amazed that the young girl said nothing to those who made charges against her personally, but quickly resisted the slightest offense against God.” Yet the moment someone dishonored God, mocked the Church or encouraged sin, she responded firmly. She had no concern for her own reputation but was quick to defend the honor of Christ. That is why her witness speaks so powerfully to today’s Gospel reading: “Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Exalted in Christ
We are often tempted to do the opposite. How quickly we rush to protect ourselves, to argue back, to prove that we are right. But when it comes to defending our faith, we can fall into silence. St. Rose models a better way. She shows us the freedom that comes from not caring what others say about us, and the courage that rises to defend the truth of God’s love.
In her hiddenness, in her steadfast prayer and in her unshakable humility, St. Rose of Lima embodied the Gospel. She reminds us that greatness in the Christian life is not measured by the world’s standards but by our service, our love and our fidelity to God. If we humble ourselves as she did, we too will be exalted in Christ.
Let us pray,
O God, you set Saint Rose of Lima on fire with your love, so that, secluded from the world in the austerity of a life of penance, she might give herself to you alone; grant, we pray, that through her intercession, we may tread the paths of life on earth and drink at the stream of your delights in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
