St. Rosalia, Hermitess
The saint of the day for September 4th is St. Rosalia, hermitess and patron saint of Palermo, Sicily. Her feast is celebrated twice a year by that city. St. Rosalia, affectionately nicknamed "the little saint", was the daughter of a noble family descended from the Emperor Charlemagne. She was born at Palermo, Sicily in 1130. In her youth, she turned away from worldly pleasures and a life of comfort, choosing to dedicate her life to God. At the age of 14, she left home and took up residence in a cave. She wrote these words on the walls of the 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." She remained there, completely hidden from the world, praying in solitude, practicing great penances, living in constant communion with her Creator. Later on, she moved to Mount Pellegrino; about three miles from Palermo, closer to her parent's home, in order to ...