This South American saint was born in Lima, in Peru. Her real name was Isabel, but she was such a beautiful baby that she was affectionately called Rose.

As Rose grew older, she became more and more beautiful. One day her mother put a wreath of flowers on her head to show off her loveliness to friends. But Rose did not like that.

She only wanted Jesus to notice her and love her. Rose did not think she was special because of her beauty. She realized that beauty is a gift from God.

She even became afraid that her beauty might be a temptation to someone. She noticed people staring at her with approval. She heard them say that her complexion was smooth and beautiful.

So she did an unusual thing: she rubbed her face with pepper until her skin became all red and blistered so that people would not find her beautiful anymore.

St. Rose worked hard to support her parents who were very poor. She humbly obeyed them, too, except when they tried to get her to marry. That she would not do.

Her love for Jesus was so great that when she talked about him, her face glowed. Rose prayed that her parents would allow her to live for Jesus.

The devil often tried to tempt her and there were times when she had to suffer terrible loneliness and sadness. During those times, God seemed far away. Yet she cheerfully offered all these troubles to him. She kept praying for her trust to grow stronger.

In her last long, painful sickness, this brave young woman used to pray: “Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase your love in my heart.” She was just thirty-one when she died on August 24, 1617, in Lima.

St. Rose is the patron saint of the Americas, Philippines and West Indies.

Louis was born in France and was the son of King Louis VIII of France and Queen Blanche.

When Prince Louis was small, his mother hugged him tightly and said, “I love you very, very much, my dear son. But I would rather see you dead at my feet than ever to have you commit a mortal sin.”

Louis never forgot those words. He grew to treasure his Catholic faith. When he was twelve, his father died and he became the king. Queen Blanche ruled until her son was twenty-one.

Louis became a remarkable king. He married Margaret, the daughter of a count. They loved each other very much. They had eleven children. Louis was a good husband and father. And as long as his mother, Queen Blanche lived, he showed her great respect.

Busy as he was, the king found time for daily Mass and the recitation of the Divine Office. He was a Third Order Franciscan and lived a simple lifestyle as a good Catholic. He was generous and fair. He ruled his people with wisdom, charity and true Christian principles.

He knew how to settle arguments and disputes. He listened to the poor and the needy. He had time for everybody, not only for rich and important people. He supported Catholic education and built monasteries.

King Louis never used bad language and did not allow anyone in the castle to use it either.

St. Louis felt it was his duty to help the suffering Christians in the Holy Land. He wanted to be part of the Crusades and protect them.

Twice he led an army against the Turks. The first time, he was taken prisoner. But even in jail, he behaved as a true Christian knight. He was unafraid and noble in all his ways.

He was freed and returned to take care of his kingdom in France. Yet as soon as he could, he returned to fight the enemies of the faith again. But on the way, this greatly loved king became sick with typhoid fever. A few hours before he died, he prayed, “Lord, I will enter into your house, worship in your holy temple, and give glory to your name.”

St. Louis died at the age of 56, on August 25, 1270.