The Miracle of the Roses

What is the Miracle of Roses?

Several saints are mentioned in a relation to the miracle of the roses. The most popular version tells a story about a princess who collected the fod for poverty and secretly brought it to them. Why secretly? Her family didn't like such a behavior. On one occasion, however, her husband intercepted her and asked about the suff in her robe. She was forced to show the stuff under her cloak. Instead of stolen treasures, there was a pile of white and red roses. The discovery is even more shocking in variations of the story which happens during the winter.

Roses bear strong and complex symbolism. They are often connected with martyrdom and they are dedicated to St. Mary, Jesus Christ's mother. If you are interested to find out more, there is an article about the symbolism of the colors of the roses.

Santa Casilda of Toledo

Casilda of Toledo was born as a Muslim princess around 950. According to the legend, she was very compassionate to Christian prisoners and frequently smuggled bread to their prison cells. One day, her father, surrounded with guards, stopped her and demanded to see what is she hiding in her clothes. A basket with bread miracolously changed into a basket with roses. It is believed that later Casilda fare ill, but refused help from Arab doctors. She traveled to San Vicente and regained her health with holy waters. She was baptised and stayed there living a secluded life of solitude and penance. She supposedly lived one hundred years.

Jose Nogales (1860-1930)

Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664)

Elizabeth of Portugal

Elizabeth of Portugal (1271-1336), also known as Elizabeth of Aragon, is a Catholic saint venerated as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal or Queen Saint Elizabeth. She was a great niece of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth of Portugal was strictly raised, spent most of her time praying and doing charity. Her husband, who was an adulterer, supposedly converted because of her patience and prayer. She was politically active and successfully participated in negotiations during the Treaty of Alcanices and the Civil War.

Roque Gameiro (1864-1935)

After her husband's death, she retired to the monastery. She donated flour from her cellars to hungry people during the great famine. She also presented gifts to poor people, provided beds to pilgrims, paid dowries to poor girls, and educated the children of poor nobility.

In some parts of the world, she is known as Santa Isabela.

Jose Gil de Castro (1785-1841)

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Elizabeth (1207-1231) was a princess who devoted her life to charity. She was married to King Louis IV of Thuringia (1200-1227) who is also known as Blessed Louis of Thuringia or Louis the Saint. After his death Elizabeth joined to the Third Order of St. Francis, established a hospital and hospic in Marburg, gave up care of her three children to politically relevant relatives, and spent the rest of her life helping the poor and sick.

Theodoricus of Prague aka Master Theodoric (?-1381)

Marianne Stokes (1855-1927)

Pietro Nelli (1672-1730)

While the miracle of the roses is most often attributed to her, her husband in fact supported her charity. But there are also versions with her brother in law in the role of the inquisitor, what would be more in tune with the situation.

Karl von Blaas (1815-1894)

St. Elizabeth inspired the scene in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Old Bachelor's Nightcap

Lorenz Frolich (1820-1908)

These are only the three most well-known saints associated with the miracle of the roses. There are more examples, including Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Rita of Cascia, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Faustina Kowalska, and many connected to men, as well.

Annibale Carracci (1560-1609)

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