Jesus unambiguously asserted the existence of hell. There are 162 references to hell in the New Testament, and 70 of these were spoken by Jesus himself. And yet, according to a Pew study, 37% of Christians in the United States do not believe in hell.

Jesus spoke so often about hell as to remind us to fear the right things: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Saint Rose of Viterbo knew what to fear. And God gave her the mission to help others gain the clarity to fear the right things as well.

Born in 1233, Rose's profound spirituality was evident early on. At seven, she experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who called her to preach repentance in order to save people from hell. Rose boldly traveled the streets of Viterbo, urging people to turn from their wicked ways and embrace God’s love. She helped them become deeply aware of the eternal consequences of a life apart from God.

Rose’s fearless preaching drew severe opposition. The Ghibelline faction, which opposed the authority of the pope, forced her family into exile. But Rose remained determined, and eventually returned to Viterbo to continue her mission.

Saint Rose of Viterbo died at 18 due to health complications, but many years later her body was found to be incorrupt.

We fear so many things. Our fears often reveal our values and our standing in the spiritual life. The more we trust God the less we fear. The more we value eternity the less we fear in this life. But when our values and priorities get distorted, we begin to fear the wrong things. And when we fear the wrong things, we make poor decisions. 

Hell is real. And if you are going to fear something, fear that. 

The saints spent a great deal of time contemplating eternity in the presence of God. They spent time pondering the last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Our unwillingness to turn our minds and conversations toward these things says something about us that warrants further exploration. 

Whatever the existential nature of hell may be, Jesus teaches with unmistakable clarity that it does indeed exist, that it is within our power to avoid, and that it is worth avoiding. 

Today is a chance to reassess what we value, what we fear, and whether or not we value and fear the right things.



Feast Day: September 4

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Boniface I, Saint Marinus, and Saint Moses

Patron Saint of: Florists and Flower Growers

Symbols: A Crown of Roses and a Crucifix

Canonized: 1457

Canonized By: Pope Callistus III