For nearly 100 years our organization has spread a simple message of service to our community through prayer and devotion to "La Santuzza" Santa Rosalia-(1130-1166), also called “La Santuzza” or “The Little Saint”, is the patron saint of Palermo
Unfortunately, we know little of the life of Saint Rosalia... In a sense, the story of her life begins almost five hundred years after her death. In
Palermo, according to an old tradition in the first half of 1100, Rosalia was born to her parents, the Sinibaldos, the sirs of Monti della Quisquina and della Rose, the family of Conti dei Marsi true descendents of Carlo Mango. A palace cavalier asked for her hand in marriage, which pleased her parents, but Rosalia refused because she was committed to Christ. She had a divine calling and left the royal palace and headed for the woods of Mont Quisquina. She did not want to be found by her father, so she fled to Monte Pellegrino where Rosalia lived as a hermit with sacrifice, meditation, and prayer. According to legend she lived in a dark damp cave with grass and water as her means of nourishment for her remaining years. From calculations that were taken it is known that she died on September 4, 1166.One year later, her death was venerated by the people of Palermo, but as time passed the devotion diminished. Nothing was heard from her again until 1624. At this time a plaque had swept through Palermo, killing many of its people. In 1625, Vincenzo Bonelli had an apparition of a young woman and she spoke these words,
“I am Rosalia. Tell the Archbishop through the confessor whatever you see and hear I will protect you and I will protect the city”
She revealed to him the site of the cave where she resided. He did as St. Rosalia instructed and upon entering the cave he saw the following inscription carved into the wall.
“I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibaldo, sir of Qusiquina and della Rose, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ." Vincenzo did as he was instructed. He found her remains and beside her laid a skull, (symbol of human fragility and of penance), bible, (symbol of meditation) and a Cross (represents the power of prayer). The two shells on her mantle are symbol of her protection toward fishermen and the city of Palermo (major seaport in the Mediterranean). Her bones were placed on a silver urn and put on top of a float illuminated and decorated with roses, lilies, and candles. Where she passed, the plague ended. The people exulted: Viva Santa Rosalia”. Pilgrimages to Mt. Pellegrino began. A church was built in the cave where her remains were found. Until today, graces and miracles are granted. Since her miracle in 1625, her grotto has never been void of people. Thousands make pilgrimages to honor her. She has been declared the Patron Saint of Palermo, and citizens of Palermo as well as many Americans continue to honor her. "VIVA SANTA ROSALIA"
