Life is a collection of days. How was your day yesterday? Or how were your days the past week or so? 

Look at the last month or the last six months and you realize most days were average. Some days were above average, and some days were below average. But what makes the difference? What is it that makes the difference between our best days and our worst days? Sometimes, it's things that are completely out of our control. But sometimes, it's things that are within our control. Moving those average days to above-average days is usually very much within our control. What’s the secret? Prayer.

Saint Rose of Lima knew this secret of prayer. And once she knew, she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, go a day without praying. 

Rose wanted to devote her life to prayer. Inspired by Saint Catherine of Siena’s example (see April 29), she became a lay member of the Dominicans. This meant she lived at home rather than the convent. 

Rose's home became her sanctuary of prayer. She built a small house of prayer in her parents' garden where she could retreat for hours of solitude and communion with God. There, she discovered that prayer was not a chore but a joyous encounter with the divine. It was her source of delight and peace. The more she prayed, the more her soul was uplifted. Her face would often light up with an inner glow, reflecting the profound happiness she experienced in God’s presence.

Her joy was contagious. People who came to her for counsel and prayer were often struck by the serenity and happiness that radiated from her. Saint Rose of Lima became known for her miracles, but above all, we remember her for her deep devotion to prayer.

It’s a devotion we can all strive to embrace.

One of the great moments in the life of a Christian comes when we realize, once and for all, that a life with prayer is better than a life without prayer.

How do your best days begin? And if you try starting each day with prayer, and you make some notes about how those days go differently, perhaps you will become convinced, as many before you have become convinced, that our best days begin with prayer. This is the gift of awareness. That's one of the great spiritual gifts.

And so, I simply want to encourage you to begin your day with prayer. I realize not everyone's a morning person. Whether you're a morning person or not, I really encourage you. Just give it a try.



Feast Day: August 23

Feast Day Shared By: Saints Zachary and Elizabeth and Saints Abbondio and Ireneaus

Patron Saint of: Embroiderers, Gardeners, Florists, People Harassed for Their Piety, and Those Suffering Family Problems

Symbols: Roses

Canonized: April 12, 1671

Canonized By: Pope Clement X