Saint Rosalia

Saint Rosalia (c. 1130 – c. 1166) was a Christian saint and hermitess, revered as the patroness of Palermo, Sicily. Born in Palermo, she abandoned noble life to live as a hermit on Monte Pellegrino, under the Diocese of Palermo. Her intercession is credited with saving Palermo from a plague in 1624. Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, her feast day on September 4 in the Roman Rite draws pilgrims to her relics in Palermo, Sicily.

Saint Rosalia’s ascetic life and miraculous protection of Sicily inspired widespread devotion. Her intercession is sought by plague victims, and her legacy endures through her shrine and vibrant Sicilian festivals.

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Saint Rosalia
Feast Day	September 04
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Palermo, Sicily, plague victims
Birthplace	Palermo, Sicily
Death Place	Monte Pellegrino, Sicily
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Cathedral of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily

Biography

Birth

Saint Rosalia was born around 1130 in Palermo, Sicily, to a noble family, traditionally linked to the Norman court of King Roger II. Her birthplace, a thriving port under the Diocese of Palermo, was a center of Christian culture. Sicily’s Norman rule shaped her early faith.

Baptized in a local Parish, Rosalia was raised with a strong education and piety. Her noble lineage positioned her for a religious calling.

Early Life

Growing up in Palermo, Saint Rosalia was destined for court life but chose asceticism, inspired by her faith. Around 1150, she fled to a cave near Quattro Coronati, then to Monte Pellegrino, living as a hermitess, guided by the Diocese of Palermo. Her solitude attracted local reverence.

Her rejection of wealth drew followers. Rosalia’s early life of renunciation prepared her for her eremitic vocation.

Occupation

Saint Rosalia’s primary occupation was as a hermitess, living in prayer and penance on Monte Pellegrino. She subsisted on minimal resources, overseen by the Diocese of Palermo. Her life of solitude included aiding pilgrims who sought her counsel.

Her “occupation” involved spiritual intercession. Her work reflected the Roman Rite’s call to holiness through asceticism.

Vocation

Saint Rosalia’s vocation was her eremitic life, centered on devotion and sacrifice. On Monte Pellegrino, she lived in a cave, strengthening the Diocese of Palermo’s spiritual life. Her miracles, like healings, were reported posthumously, enhancing her fame.

Her intercession saved Palermo from plague in 1624, cementing her patronage. Rosalia’s vocation as a hermitess made her a symbol of Sicilian faith.

Death

Saint Rosalia met her end around 1166, dying of natural causes on Monte Pellegrino, Sicily, at about age 36. She passed alone in her cave, her body later discovered in 1624. Her death was mourned by the Diocese of Palermo after her relics were found.

Her relics were enshrined in Palermo’s cathedral, and miracles followed. Her shrine in the Cathedral of Palermo remains a pilgrimage site.

Significant events

• Fled to Quattro Coronati c. 1150.
• Lived as hermitess on Monte Pellegrino c. 1155.
• Relics discovered in 1624.
• Saved Palermo from plague in 1624.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Palermo, Sicily
• Death location: Monte Pellegrino, Sicily
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Parishes

Saint Rosalia
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Rosalia as a Servant of God was not formalized, as her sanctity was acknowledged by the early Church. Her miracles and relics’ discovery were attested by tradition.

Venerable

Saint Rosalia was not declared Venerable, as her canonization predated this stage. Her heroic virtue was affirmed by her asceticism and intercession.

Beatification

Saint Rosalia did not undergo formal beatification due to pre-congregation canonization. Her miracles, like plague protection, sufficed for veneration.

Canonization

Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, Saint Rosalia’s sainthood was affirmed by the early Church based on her miracles and devotion. Her universal veneration was established by the Roman Rite, with her feast day set for September 4.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

No formal beatification miracle was recorded due to pre-congregation canonization. Tradition credits Saint Rosalia with healing a sick child in Palermo during her lifetime. The child recovered after Rosalia’s prayers, a miracle attested by the Diocese of Palermo.

This event strengthened her reputation. It inspired devotion among Sicilians.

Miracle for canonization

No formal canonization miracle was required, but a notable miracle involves the protection of Palermo from a plague in 1624. After her relics were processed, the epidemic ceased, a miracle verified by the Diocese of Palermo.

This miracle solidified her sainthood, spreading her veneration. Her cathedral became a pilgrimage site.

Other notable miracles

• Healing of a blind woman in Palermo.
• Protection of a village during a storm.

Patronage

Saint Rosalia is the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily, and plague victims.

Feast day

Her feast day is celebrated on September 4 in the Roman Rite, honoring her life and miracles. In Palermo, a major festival, the *Festa di Santa Rosalia*, occurs annually in July.

Veneration

Saint Rosalia is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to her relics in the Cathedral of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, and devotion among Sicilians. Her relics, including bones, are revered. She is depicted in art with roses and a skull, notably in Sicilian churches. Her annual festival includes processions and fireworks.

Books

Written about the saint

• Saints of the Sicilian Church
• Saints of Europe by TAN Books

Written by the saint

• No known writings attributed to Saint Rosalia.

External links

• CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Rosalia
• Catholic.org: St. Rosalia
• AnastPaul: Saint of the Day