Family tragedy
Rosa Venerini was born in Viterbo, central Italy, on February 9, 1656. Her father was a doctor who raised four children with his wife, Marzia.
From an early age Rosa vowed to consecrate herself to God, although she struggled with this in her teenage years. She briefly entered a Dominican women’s community in 1676. But when her father died she returned home to support her mother. Rosa’s brother, Domenico, also died early, aged 27. Rosa’s mother passed away months later, brokenhearted at losing her husband and a son.
