Rosalia, St

Rosalia, St., the greatest of Sicilian saints, is said to have died between 1160 and 1180. Her father was the count Sinibald of Quisquina and Rosis, and was descended from the ancient kings of Sicily. She lived for a time on Mount Quisquina in the character of a hermit, but afterwards on Mount Pelegrino, near Palermo. It is alleged that her body was found in 1624, together with an inscription on Mount Quisquina narrating her descent and sojourn in an adjoining cave. A pestilence ceased to prevail at the time her body was found, and this fact was attributed to her intercessions, which may account for the veneration she receives. Her day is Sept. 4, and is observed with much pomp in Palermo, one of the features being a procession in which a colossal statue of the saint is carried about. See Acta SS. for Sept. 4.