The Holy Roman Catholic Church and Constantine

I've always been completely fascinated by Roman history. I haven't seen the BBC piece called "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" until today. It's very long at 14 episodes, 30 minutes per episode. The link below is of Constantine; a former pagan Roman Emperor converting to the Roman Catholic Church.

I recommend all 14 episodes, but the below 10 of 14 represents the birth of the first Christian Roman Emperor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ifur2iTDKA

It's extremely interesting, and the piece touches quite a bit on how Christianity is introduced to Rome.

Saint Rose (Patron of Vanity)

Saint Rose was the first Canonized Saint of the Americas born in the year 1586 A.D. Rose is often depicted in images holding a rose in one hand and a Crucifix in the other. St. Rose was always a beautiful yet humble and pious woman. As a young child she would nail her hair to a wall to keep from falling asleep in prayer. Rose was quite serious about her Faith in Christ as she constantly begged her parents to allow her to join the Convent. Being somewhat reasonable, they allowed her to practice as a Dominican Tertiary and did not bother her as she endlessly prayed, while afflicting herself with the wounds of Jesus Christ.
Saint Rose was affectionately called the "Little Rose" as her mother was upset that she cut her beautiful hair. Rose believed her hair was a symbol of vanity and wanted nothing to do with it. In turn, Rose's mother forced her to wear a headdress made of roses. Underneath Saint Rose would wear a crown of nails in emulation of Christ. Not only was Saint Rose exceptionally devout, she was also given visions of The Infant Christ, The Virgin Mother and several Angels. Her visions are described as the Mystical Marriage.
Amongst her Divine Visions, Rose was able to heal the sick and grow flowers out of season. Many people living near her believed she was a witch. Her family also condemned her and sent her away. Rose died at the age of 31 from a strange ailment that was never diagosed.

Memorial: August 23rd

Also Known as: St. Rose of Lima

Born: 1586, Lima, Peru

Died: August, 1670, Lima Peru

Beautified: April, 1668 by Pope Clement IX

Canonized: April, 1671 by Pope Clement X

Additional Patronages: Embroiderers, Gardeners and Florists

Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:

Visionary: Recieved visions of the Holy Infant

Stigmatic: Severe and constant pains in her wrists, ankles and head

Mystic and Miracle Worker: Able to grow assorted flowers out of season

Life of a Saint: Dominican Tertiary

Remarkably devoted to her vow of Chastity

Sold her beautiful flowers and needlework to support her family and the poor

First Saint born in the Americas

Founder of Social Work in Lima

Saint Rita (Patron Against Lonliness)

Prayer of Saint Rita:

By the singular merits of thy childhood,
By thy perfect union with the Divine Will,
By thy heroic sufferings during thy married life,
By the consolation thou didst experience at the conversion of thy husband,
By the sacrifice of thy children rather than see them grievously offend God,
By thy miraculous entrance into the covenant,
By thy severe penances and thrice daily bloody scourgings,
By the suffering caused by the wound thou didst receive from the thorn of the Crucified Savior,
By the divine love which consumed thy heart,
By that remarkable devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, on which alone thou didst exist for four years,
By the happiness with which thou didst part from thy trials to join thy Divine Spouse,
By the perfect example thou gavest to people of every state of life.
Pray for us, O holy St. Rita, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Also known as: St. Rita Cascia

 

Born: 1386, Italy

 

Died: May, 1457, Italy

 

Beautified: October 1627, Pope Urban VIII

 

Canonized: May, 1900

 

Additional Patronages: Against Lonliness, Infertility and Widows

 

Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:

 

Stigmatic of the Crown of Thorns: Suffered continuous bleeding head wounds throughout her life

Devoted to the Passion of Christ

 

Peacemaker: Prayed for the forgiveness of her sons when her husband was murdered

Prayed for, and achieved the peace of two warring factions in her town in Italy

 

Miracles: Her last wish on her deathbed, was to have a rose from her families' estate in the dead of winter. Upon this request, a care taker went to her families estate and found a single rose sprouted next to the house in the midst of a blizzard.

 

Life of a Saint: Unshakable devotion to prayer

Offered spiritual guidance to hundreds