Rose was born in Lima, Cordal, the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. She received the baptismal name Isabel Flores
de Oliva. She was from a large family. Her father, Gaspar Flores, was a Spanish harquebusier (soldier armed with a
small-caliber long gun), and her mother, Maria de Oliva, was born in Lima. She was personally confirmed by the
Archbishop of Lima, Turibius de Mongrovejo. Her nickname "Rosa" was a testament to her holy ties. When she was a
baby, a servant claimed to have seen her face transform into a rose, hence her name, "Rosa". In emulation of Saint
Catherine of Siena, she fasted three times a week with secret severe penances. When she was admired, Rose cut off her
hair against the objections of her friends and her family. Upon the censure of her parents, Rose disfigured her face
with pepper and lye. She was very upset that she was so beautiful, and hurt herself to help others. Rose began to
tell of visions, revelations, visitations and voices as her parents deplored her penitential practices more than
ever. She spent many hours contemplating the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily. She determined to take a
vow of virginity in opposition to her parents, who wished her to marry. Daily fasting turned to perpetual abstinence
from meat. Her days were filled with acts of charity and industry. Rose helped the sick and hungry around her
community. She would bring them to her home and take care of them. Rose sold her fine needlework, grew beautiful
flowers, and would take them to market to help her family. Her exquisite lace and embroidery helped to support her
home, while her nights were devoted to prayer and penance in a little grotto which she had built. She became a
recluse leaving the grotto only for her visits to the Blessed Sacrament. She took the name of Rose at her
confirmation in 1597. In her twentieth year she had so attracted the attention of the Dominican Order that she was
permitted to enter a Dominican convent in 1602 without payment of the usual dowry. She donned the habit and took a
vow of perpetual virginity. For eleven years this self-martyrdom continued without relaxation, with intervals of
ecstasy, until she died on August 30, 1617, at the age of 31. Her funeral was attended by all the public authorities
of Lima, and the archbishop pronounced her eulogy in the cathedral.
*Price Per Pair*
Each Earring is 15mm / 1/2" inch (smaller than a dime)
Available in 14K Yellow Gold , White Gold, and Sterling Silver
