The face of the first saint of the New World may be better known than ever, thanks to a team of scientists that has analyzed the skull of St. Rose of Lima.
Scientists from the University of St. Martin de Porres in Peru and the Brazilian Anthropological and Dental Legal Forensics Team reconstructed her face and the faces of two other saints who lived more than 300 years ago.
The Dominicans have preserved the skulls of St. Rose, St. Martin de Porres and St. John Macias in St. Dominic Church, located in the historic center of the Peruvian capital of Lima.
Under the care of Dominican friars and with strict security measures, the skulls were temporarily transferred to a clinic in Lima.
There, the researchers took computerized tomography images. This is a process used in diagnostic medicine using CT or ultrasound scans.
St. Rose of Lima’s face was the first to be revealed. According to the news site Peru Catolico, the researchers said the reconstruction shows she was “a pretty woman with soft features and a well-distributed face.” Unlike her classical portrayals, the reconstruction indicates her eyes were large.
St. Rose was born in Lima to Spanish parents in 1586. At a very young age, she chose to consecrate her life to God. She practiced very intense prayer and penance each day. Sometimes she deprived herself of food and sleep. She joined the Third Order of St. Dominic. After three years of illness, she died at the age of 31 in 1617.
Her feast day is celebrated on Aug. 23 in many parts of the world, while in Peru and several other places it is observed Aug. 30. Her reconstructed image was unveiled at St. Rose Parish on the Brazilian island of Guaruja on Aug. 23.
The research team will be unveiling the bust of St. Rose and those of the two other saints.
In November, the research team will present the conclusion of its work in Peru. The group will unveil the bust of St. Rose and those of the two other saints.
St. Martin de Porres was the first black saint of the Americas. He was known for his generosity, his care of the poor, his love of animals, and his seemingly miraculous power to heal. He became a Dominican brother, and died in 1639 at the age of 60.
St. Juan Macias, another Dominican saint, was a regular companion of St. Martin de Porres. He served as the porter at the Dominican convent in Lima. He was known for his evangelism, his service to the poor, and his miracles. He died in 1645.
This article originally appeared in Catholic News Agency.
Join the Discussion
Comments are currently closed.