Description
Rose of Lima (1586-1617), the first canonized saint of the Americas, played an important role in the development of national identity in Peru and other regions of the world. For several centuries she was the only saint of the Americas and the Patron saint of the whole continent, including the United States. Many towns are name after her. Films, TV series, and comic books about her as well as yearly celebrations of her life give witness to her enduring popularity. She continues to be an icon of both religious and popular culture. In this presentation we will discuss her life story, her use of her body as instrument and proof of her sainthood, the political forces that encouraged her canonization, and the continued use of her story by different sectors of society. Her life is an example of the role of saints in the development of identity despite cultural contradictions through the centuries.
