Since 6:00 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday —a holiday in honor of Santa Rosa de Lima (St. Rose of Lima)— hundreds of faithful form long lines to enter her sanctuary on Tacna Avenue so as to throw letters into the traditional Wishing Well.
Devotees of the Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines also arrive at the site to participate in masses held every hour, until 8:00 p.m., at the temple located inside the same sanctuary.
Andina news agency captured images of the faithful —both young and senior citizens— visiting the sanctuary —dedicated to the first woman in the Americas declared saint by the Catholic Church— to have a moment of reflection and leave their letters in the traditional Wishing Well.
This sanctuary welcomes entire families who want to visit the place where the Lima-born saint had spent part of her life.
Among today's activities, the main procession of the St. Rose image from the Cathedral of Lima to the sanctuary is scheduled.
Later, it will return to the Basilica of Santo Domingo Convent.
History
St. Rose of Lima used to do penance for the sin of others.
One of those penances was to put a chain around her waist in order to flog herself and throw the keys to the padlock into the well.
In that place, she would pray for sinners every night.
After her death, the faithful began the tradition of writing her letters expressing their wishes, both spiritual and material, so as to throw them into the well, hoping for her help.
The letters contain prayers, as well as commitments of faith and requests to help deal with illnesses, among others.
Saint Rose of Lima (1586-1617) is the Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines, of Peru and Lima, of the Archbishopric of Lima, of the National Police of Peru, and of nurses.