Rosalia of Palermo
A Sicilian virgin hermit, noble by birth according to tradition, who retired to a cave for a life of piety and solitude. The discovery of her relics in 1624 and their procession through Palermo coincided with the end of a plague epidemic.
- Middle Ages
- Italy
- Feast day September 4
- † 1170
- Virgin
- Hermit
Listen to the life 0:37
Saint Rosalia is a saint venerated in Sicily, particularly in Palermo, of which she is the patroness. Born into a noble family, she is said to have renounced riches and honors to become a hermit and live in a cave on Mount Pellegrino. Her relics were discovered in 1624 and carried in procession through Palermo, which coincided with the end of a devastating plague epidemic, thus cementing her popular veneration and reputation as a protector against contagious diseases. She is often depicted with a crown of roses and a crucifix, symbolizing her purity and ascetic devotion.
