Born in Lima Peru in 1586 of Spanish descent, Isabella de Oliva, because of her reddish complexion, was called Rose by all. An intelligent and efficient girl, she took St Catherine of Siena as her model. At 15 Rose received the habit of the Third Order of St Dominic. In obedience to her parents Rose did not enter the convent but lived at home a humble life of penance and mystical prayer. She died on 24 Aug 1617 aged 31. The first canonised saint from the Americas, she is venerated as the patron of Latin America. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2937; Vatican II Weekday Missal 1975, p 1743
