Lima, Peru
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows.
—Saint Augustine (A.D. 396–430), bishop of Hippo
The Church of Santo Domingo in Lima (the “City of Kings”) with its white facade and black wrought iron fence is a stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture and dates to the late sixteenth century. This beautiful sanctuary enshrines a statue of the Virgin of the Rosary as well as two silver urns containing the relics of Saint Martin de Porres, the first black saint in the Americas, and Saint Rose, patron saint of Lima, venerated for her fervent love of the Holy Infant. After becoming a Dominican nun of the Third Order at age twenty, “Rosa” lived in a cottage in her parents’ garden, where she said prayers and performed penance.
If you believe, as Saint Rose did, that working hard for God, for the poor, and for your loved ones is a path to spiritual development, come to the Church of Santo Domingo. From Jorge Chávez International Airport, you can easily get to the convent, located in Lima’s city center, by taxi, automobile, or bus.
Light a candle and vow that even as you work to support your family you will also do your inner spiritual work.
This old Dominican church, built roughly when Lima was established, has three naves, a large cupola, and Spanish-style patios (back gardens).