St. Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses and Quisquina, was a descendant of great Charlemagne. She was born at Palermo in Sicily. In her youth, her heart turned from earthly vanities to God. She left her home and took up her abode in a cave, on the walls of which she wrote these words: “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 entirely hidden from the world.Rosalia practiced great mortification and lived in constant communion with God. Afterward she transferred her abode to Mount Pellegrino, about three miles from Palermo, in order to triumph entirely over the instincts of flesh and blood, in sight of her parenteral home. She is said to have appeared after death and to have revealed that she spent several years in a little excavation near the grotto. She died alone, in 1160, ending her strange and wonderful life unknown to the world. Her body was discovered in 1625, during the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII.
PRAYER: Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. Rosalia, Your virgin. Help us to imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with her in heaven. Amen.