The mystery of Santa Rosa de Lima: where have her remains rested for 400 years?

The Santo Domingo Convent preserves some of the human remains of the Peruvian saint, raising a mystery about where they are. (Video: Paula Elizalde)

In the midst of the bustling center of Lima, where modernity collides with history at every turn, there is a haven of peace and spirituality very close to Jirón Camaná. The Santo Domingo convent stands as a silent guardian of ancient secrets. This place is not only famous for its rich spiritual heritage, but also because its historic chapter house was the site of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, officially the first Peruvian university and the oldest in America, in the 16th century.

This Dominican convent has witnessed the life and legacy of Saint Rose of Lima, one of the most venerated figures in the history of Peru. Here, in its mysterious recesses and in its historic chapter house, Infobae Peru undertakes an exploration to discover where the remains of Saint Rose of Lima rest. The tour of this place full of history and spiritual energy, where the remains of the first saint of America have rested for more than 400 years.

Remains from Santa Rosa de Lima 400 years ago. Photo: Paula Elizalde.

Upon entering, visitors are immersed in an environment decorated with paintings of Saint Dominic de Guzmán and walls covered with tiles decorated with flora and fauna motifs. It is here, between the darkness of the convent and the light of faith, where the search for Saint Rose begins, whose remains have rested in this place for more than 400 years.

Saint Rose, whose real name was Isabel Flores de Oliva, was born in 1586 in Lima and from her early youth dedicated her life to God. Known for her devotion and life of penance, Rosa de Santa Maria, as she was known, subjected herself to self-flagellation, wore a crown of thorns and a metal belt, and practiced extreme fasting. Her unwavering faith, however, took a physical toll on her and she eventually contracted tuberculosis, a disease that led to her death at age 31 in 1617.

Over time, her sainthood was recognized by the Catholic Church. Popes Clement IX and Clement X canonized Saint Rose in 1671, making her the first saint of the Americas. Since then, she has been considered the patron saint of Peru, America, the Philippines, and of the Peruvian National Police and nurses. A lesser-known fact is that in 1996, Pope John Paul II also named her the patron saint of mining in the country.

Image of Saint Rose of Lima, located in the Convent of Santo Domingo. Photo: Paula Elizalde.

The remains of Saint Rose of Lima, the first saint of America, have been preserved in various parts of the world, but a significant part of them are in the convent of Santo Domingo in Lima. This sacred enclosure holds the secrets of her last will, which can be read in an inscription inside the crypt: “I donate my body to my Dominican brothers.”

Chapel dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima, where her remains rest in a glass urn. Photo: Paula Elizalde

Inside the crypt, the remains of Saint Rose rest in a glass urn, located in a chapel specially dedicated to her. This place not only houses her remains, but also pays homage to other Dominican brothers from the 16th to the 19th centuries, whose graves are marked on the floor of the convent. The chapel has become a pilgrimage center for devotees and tourists seeking to connect with the history and spirituality of this revered figure.

Inscription in the crypt of Santa Rosa de Lima: “I donate my body to my Dominican brothers.” Photo: Paula Elizalde

Inside the convent of Santo Domingo, a small chapel has been dedicated exclusively to paying homage to Saint Rose of Lima. This chapel, surrounded by paintings showing features of her face and divine encounters with heavenly angels, is a place of profound respect and veneration. Inside, a room displays her body carved in white marble, a masterpiece by the sculptor Melchor Cáfago.

The chapel has emerged as a central point of pilgrimage, not only for Peruvian worshippers but also for foreign visitors. The presence of these works of art and commemorative objects offers an intimate glimpse into the life and miracles of Saint Rose. This space has become a time capsule that captures the fervor and veneration that has endured throughout the centuries and provides a spiritual refuge for those seeking to connect with sacred history.

Chapel dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima, where her remains rest in a glass urn. Photo: Paula Elizalde

The convent of Santo Domingo is not only the final resting place of Saint Rose of Lima. In another area of ​​the convent, the remains of Saint Martin de Porres are found, a saint of humble origins who dedicated his life to serving those most in need. Martin, a contemporary and friend of Saint Rose, was an example of humility and charity, which earned him deep veneration since his death in 1639.

Also in this same temple rest the remains of Juan Macías, another venerated Dominican friar known for his life of prayer and miraculous services. Juan Macías, like San Martín and Santa Rosa, left a legacy of faith and devotion that endures to this day.

Paintings showing the features of Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Martin de Porres and Saint John Macias. Photo: Paula Elizalde

The final stretch of the tour of the Santo Domingo convent takes visitors to a point of reflection and spiritual closure. Upon leaving, it is impossible not to take with you the feeling of having been part of a rich and profound history. The visit leaves a lasting impression, marking a before and after in the perception of devotion and sacrifice in religious life.

Every detail, from the canvases to the tiles, and the spirituality that permeates every corner, make up a farewell full of respect and admiration for those who, like Santa Rosa, San Martín and Juan Macías, left an indelible mark on history. This space not only houses their remains, but also preserves the spirit of their lives dedicated to service and to God.

Panoramic view of the Chapel of Santa Rosa de Lima in the Convent of Santo Domingo, a place of pilgrimage. Photo: Paula Elizalde