We're Glad You're Here

God our Father, for love of You, St. Rose gave up everything to devote herself to a life of penance. By the help of her prayers may we imitate her selfless way of life on Earth and enjoy the fullness of Your blessing in heaven. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and to learn more about the parish community of St. Rose of Lima.

With St. Rose of Lima as our patron and heavenly intercessor we, the parish family of St. Rose of Lima, in North Syracuse, NY, are a community nourished by the Eucharist, informed by Sacred Scripture and Tradition, who love and serve the Lord.

From its beginning in 1926 with Rev. George Oley to 2021 with Rev. Christopher Celentano, St. Rose of Lima Church has a rich history serving the Catholic community of North Syracuse and the surrounding area.  The church located on South Main Street broke ground in June of 1949, was completed in 1962, and is currently undergoing a capital campaign to restore and renovate our parish home.

The various ministries within our parish are centered around strengthening individuals and families; from whole family catechesis (faith formation) to our ongoing adult formation programs, there is something for everyone.  We hope that you will take the time to explore our website and the various ministries within our parish that will help to strengthen you, your family, and help draw out your God given gifts and talents by serving others.

The parish community embraces the name and the patronage of St. Rose of Lima. 

A Little History of St. Rose of Lima

St. Rose of Lima was born Isabella Flores de Oliva on April 20, 1586 to a family of educated, but impoverished Spanish immigrants in Lima, Peru. At her confirmation, she took the name of Rose, because as an infant, her face had been seen as transformed into a mystical rose.

She was pious from an early age. At age five, she built a small chapel for herself in the family garden. When she made her first Confession, she obtained permission from her confessor to make a vow of virginity.

Rose had a strong devotion for Jesus and His Holy Mother and spent many hours praying before the Blessed Sacrament. With St. Catherine of Siena as her model, Rose fasted three times a week, offered up penances, cut off her beautiful hair, and wore coarse clothing. She frequently deprived herself of food, water, and sleep. As a result of her exterior mortification, she had interior mystical experiences as well as long periods of darkness and desolation. For fifteen years, she went through the “dark night of the soul.”

Rose worked hard to support her poor parents and she humbly obeyed them, except when they tried to get her to marry. For ten years she fought them on this issue as she had secretly taken a vow of virginity at the age of five.

At age 20, Rose joined the Third Order of St. Dominic and thereafter increased her penances as well as her good works. She moved into a small hut in her parents’ garden and served the poor and the sick in a makeshift infirmary. Our Lord frequently manifested Himself to her, filling her heart with peace and joy, leaving her in ecstasy for hours. In her last long, painful sickness, this heroic young woman prayed: “Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart.”

Exhausted from her many penances, Rose died of a fever and paralysis at age 31. She was canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X and became the first American saint. Her feast day is August 23, although some countries, like Peru, celebrate her on August 30. St. Rose is the patroness of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety, and people who suffer family problems.