Living the Great Commandment

Loving God totally and our neighbor as ourselves is a balancing act, that if successfully accomplished, leads to sainthood.  Such was the case of St. Rose of Lima.  She was born in Lima, Peru in  1586, and had a natural affinity for prayer and contemplation.  She took a vow of virginity and at age 20, became a Dominican Tertiary.  She helped support her family by growing flowers and doing needlework, but at the same time spent hours in prayer in imitation of her model, St. Catherine of Siena, in her family's garden house, which became her part time hermitage. Her prayer led her to service to the poor and sick, and she treated them in a little "hospital" in the family courtyard.  She could be regarded as the Mother Teresa of her day, an is recognized as the originator of social services in South America, as well as being the patroness of that continent.  She was the first person of the "New World" to be canonized.
One person can certainly "make a difference" as so many young people, and perhaps all of us,  aspire to do. St. Rose's simple living out of the Great Commandment give us an incentive to do likewise.  St. Rose, help us to follow in your footsteps in our communities.
Bro. Rene