St. Rose of Lima

2727 Ne 54th Ave


St. Rose of Lima was a 16th century saint from Lima, Peru, known for her ascetism. She is said to have slept on boards covered with shards of glass. Opposing her parents' desire for her to marry, she cut her hair short and disfigured her face to discourage suitors. When young, she brought the sick and hungry to her parents' home to minister to them.

The church is in northeast Portland across the street from the Southeast Asian Vicariate and there were a scattering of parishioners who appeared to be Southeast Asian immigrants -- likely from Vietnam. The exterior is reminiscent of the Spanish-inspired church architecture of California. Perhaps this is why it is named after a South American saint. Overall, the church felt very much like Holy Redeemer church, also in northeast Portland, with plenty of young families from the surrounding neighborhoods of Hollywood and Rose City.

The most memorable thing about this church was the sermon given by its pastor, Fr. Peter Smith. Father Smith begins at an advantage having a South African accent. His sermon was at the same time academic and folksy. The readings contained admonitions to be prepared, especially concerning the end times. He began sharing historical information about the destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem in approx. 70 AD by the Romans. Next he told a story of driving in the country in South Africa when a herd of elands came unusually close to his car. By the time he had activated his camera he had missed the rare chance to photograph these retiring animals, the largest of all antelope. He then told a second story about his being ready to seize an opportunity (this time to pick up a check from friends who never allow him to do so). The moral of these stories was to be prepared to take advantage of spiritual opportunities God may bring our way. His sermon was really excellent on many levels.