Catholic Fire

On September 4, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Rose of Viterbo (1235-2352), miracle worker, Franciscan tertiary, and Virgin. She is the patron saint of exiles, teriaries, and those rejected by religious orders. Rose was born of poor and pious parents, in Viterbo, Italy. She entered the world at a time when Emperor Frederick II was oppressing the Church and denouncing the Papacy, in order to regain control of the “Roman Empire.” Pope Gregory IX excommunicated the heretic and war raged across Italy. Many were unfaithful to the Holy See. Rose was filled with grace from birth. Before she could walk, her parents would find her kneeling before Jesus in His tabernacle, praying before sacred images. At the age of three, she miraculously brought her aunt back from death by laying her hands upon her and calling out her name. At the age of seven, she professed her intention to live the life of a hermit, devoting herself to penance and fasting. At that time, Rose became very ill a...

The Legend of St. Ursula: Apotheosis of St. Ursula. Vittore Carpaccio 1491. Galleria dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy. St Ursula, virgin and martyr, is a saint of the 3rd or 4th century. She was accompanied by some virgin companions who were also martyred. The number of the martyrs varies from five to eleven. She has been venerated by the whole of Christendom for many centuries. Some of the elements of Ursula's story may be legend, but her existence and sanctity are proven. Her colorful story provided the basis for some of the most beautiful works of art in medieval and renaissance Europe. Tradition tells us that Ursula was a beautiful and virtuous princess, the daughter of Dionotus, the King of Cornwall. By order of the Emperor Maximilian, she and many young women were betrothed to some of his subjects in Armorica. Ursula had already consecrated her life to Christ and desired to remain a virgin, so she insisted on many difficult conditions being fulfilled before marriage. She de...