The rose
The rose flower possesses both herbal healing powers and spiritual significance. Many angels and saints are notably linked to the fragrance of roses, often associated with their lives. The scent of roses is considered a sign of their sanctity.
Quiet power to heal
The rose has long been treasured not only for its beauty, but for its quiet power to heal the body, mind, and soul. Across cultures and centuries, this flower has been seen as both a medicine and a sign of Divine Love, carrying within its petals a language that speaks to human longing for wholeness and peace.
Healing properties
From a herbal perspective, the rose - including varieties such as Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia - is known for its gentle yet effective healing properties. Rose petals can be used in teas, oils, and balms. They are naturally soothing, helping to calm inflammation, support digestion, and ease tension in the nervous system.
Rose water has long been used to cool the skin, reduce irritation, and restore balance. Rose heals and rejuvates skin, fights bacteria, enhances wellbeing, supports women's health and relieves digestive discomfort.
Essential oil
Essential oil of rose is renowned for its calming effect on emotional distress, grief, and fatigue. Rosehip oil can help to alleviate wrinkles in mature skin, the oil can also reduce scars. In this way, the rose works not by force, but by quiet restoration; gently drawing the body back into harmony.
Gentle reminders
Remember, that essential oils should only be used under the supervision of an aromatherapist and/or herbalist (phytotherapist). Rose essential oil and rosehip oil have to be properly diluted to be safely used.
Rose and rosehip oils should only be used externally on the skin. Rose and rosehip oil should not be used during pregnancy. Also, rose and rosehip oil should not be used on infants, toddlers or youths.
Ensure that the rose products you use are free of chemicals and pesticides; thus roses used should be organic.
It is possible to have an allergy to roses. If you have this allergy, then avoid any products with rose in them.
Rose scent, spiritual significance and heavenly consolation
Spiritually, the rose carries profound meaning. The fragrance of a rose represents the sacredness of people's souls, within which the Imago Dei (Image of God) dwells. If the scent of a rose permeates the air, yet no actual earthly roses are nearby, it is sign that God or one of His angels is sending a spiritual message supernaturally through claralience.
Claralience means smelling a fragrance that comes from a spiritual source (such as God and His angels) rather than from a physical one. Such messages are meant to encourage people, in their life-journey.
The fragrance of the rose holds a special place in mystical and spiritual tradition. The scent of the rose, in particular, has been associated with heavenly consolation. Throughout history, there are accounts of saints and holy persons surrounded by a mysterious fragrance, often described as the scent of roses. This scent is experienced especially at moments of deep prayer, suffering, or even at the hour of the death of a holy person. This phenomenon, sometimes called the “odour of sanctity,” has been understood as a sign of God’s Presence and the soul’s closeness to Him.
Holy Spirit of God
The Holy Spirit of God may surround you with the scent of roses. The odour of sanctity comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in situations where the person experiences it.
Rose of Sharon
The Bible mentions the rose. The floral imagery appears in the Song of Songs: “I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valley.” [1] Christian devotion embraced this verse as a symbol of Divine beauty and love. Many expositors agree that these words refer to Jesus Christ.
Mother Mary, Mystical Rose
In Christian tradition, rose is often associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, sometimes called the “Mystical Rose.” The Mystical Rose is a symbol of purity, humility, and holy love unfolding in the world. Mother Mary is particularly associated with the scent of roses, symbolizing her presence and blessings.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: The famous Virgin Mary miracle involved roses, during her visit to St Juan Diego, at Guadalupe in 1531. Mother Mary arranged roses (which grew out of season) inside the tilma (poncho) of a man named Juan Diego. When the roses were removed from the tilma, a supernaturally imprinted image of Mother Mary was found on the poncho.
Spiritual roses
Our Lady of the Rosary: The prayer tradition of the rosary dates back to 1214 AD, when St Dominic explained that Mother Mary described it to him, during an apparition in Toulouse, France.
Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite monk known for a life of deep prayer and solitude, is associated with numerous reported miracles after his death. Pilgrims who visit his monastery in Lebanon sometimes describe experiencing a fragrance similar to flowers such as roses, or incense.
Padre Pio
Padre Pio is often associated with the scents of roses and violets, which many believe signifies his presence and intercession.
The image of the rose in Christian spirituality is far more than poetic ornament. The rose is a sign of love, sacrifice, purity, and points towards the Divine Presence. Within this sacred symbolism, two beloved saints stand out in a particularly luminous way: Thérèse of Lisieux and Rose of Lima. Both are deeply associated with the rose; not only as a flower, but as living sign of God’s Grace continuing beyond death.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “I will let fall a shower of roses”
Thérèse of Lisieux, often called “The Little Flower,” lived a hidden life of simplicity, prayer, and profound love for God. She is known for her “little way”; a spiritual path of doing small things with great love.
Shortly before her death, she made a striking promise:
“I will let fall a shower of roses upon the earth after my death.”
In the spiritual life of the Church, this has been understood not as metaphor alone, but as a lived reality of intercession. Many faithful across the world testify to receiving unexpected graces, answered prayers, and signs they interpret as “roses”; whether actual roses, sudden peace, or timely help in difficulty.
The rose here becomes a sign of hidden but active love: grace flowing from heaven into earthly life.
Saint Rose of Lima: The rose of purity and sacrifice
St Rose of Lima, the first canonised saint of the Americas, lived an austere and deeply prayerful life in Peru. From childhood, she was associated with roses; her very name “Rose” became prophetic of her spiritual identity. St Rose of Lima is the patron saint of embroidery, gardening and cultivation of blooming flowers.
Tradition tells that her beauty was marked by humility. St Rose offered her suffering, fasting, and prayer for the love of Christ and the salvation of souls. In iconography, she is often shown wearing or holding roses. This image symbolizes purity of heart, mystical union with Christ, and the fragrance of a life given wholly to God.
In St Rose of Lima's life, the rose becomes not only beauty, but sacrifice transformed into spiritual fragrance.
The rose as spiritual language
Together, these two saints reveal a deeper theology of the rose. The rose in St Thérèse's legacy becomes grace descending from heaven, love that continues to act after death.
The rose in St Rose of Lima's legacy, becomes offering ascending to heaven; a life turned into prayer and sacrifice.
In both cases, the rose is not merely symbolic decoration. The flower becomes a language of communion between heaven and earth.
Angelic presence
Some traditions associate certain scents with angelic presence or guidance. These scents are often noticed during prayer to the angel, during moments of decision, uncertainty, or emotional need. The scent of roses is a sign of protection and Divine Love.
Often, this scent will come from nowhere, and linger for a few minutes before disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
Your guardian angel may be supportive of you by sending rose or floral scent during times of prayer, meditation, and when you ask your guardian angel for help.
Archangel Gabriel is an angelic being, often depicted as a messenger or announcer of significant events or messages from God. Gabriel's name means "God is my strength."
Archangel Gabriel was the messenger who announced the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary. He also appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist. Archangel Gabriel sometimes makes his presence known by the sudden appearance of the scent of roses or lilies.
Archangel Michael is revered as the protector and warrior of light. He is known for his strength, courage and unwavering commitment to righteousness. Various scents have been associated with the presence of Archangel Michael during prayer, and when his special protection is invoked. The rose scent is a sign of Michael's protection, especially when we are in danger.
Soul's journey toward God
The rose’s beauty, hidden within layers of petals, has been seen as an image of the soul’s journey toward God - opening slowly, revealing deeper depths of grace. Rose thorns remind us that love, in a fallen world, is not without suffering. Yet the bloom itself speaks of hope, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.
The message of the Rose
In the lives of Thérèse of Lisieux and Rose of Lima, the rose is not simply remembered; it is lived. One showers roses from heaven; the other becomes a rose offered on earth. Together they reveal a mystery at the heart of Christian devotion: that love, when united to God, never ceases to bloom.
In devotional thought, angels are believed to communicate Divine comfort through beauty and fragrance. The scent of roses, soft yet unmistakable, has come to symbolize a touch of heaven. Rose scent is a reminder that God’s grace can be experienced not only in grand miracles, but in quiet stirring of the senses.
In a practical sense, the rose can still “heal” us today. Rose tea can calm a troubled mind. Rose's fragrance can ease sorrow and lift the spirit. The flower's symbolism can draw the heart toward prayer and reflection. To pause with a rose - to see its form, to inhale its scent - is to be invited into stillness, into gratitude, into awareness of a love that is both tender and enduring.
Ultimately, the healing power of the rose lies not only in its chemistry, but in what it points toward. It reminds us that true healing is holistic: body soothed, mind calmed, spirit lifted. Like the rose itself, we are called to open, to receive light, and to grow - even among thorns - toward fullness of life.
[1] The Bible. Song of Songs 2:1
Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this herbal post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional or Herbalist care
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Jesus blessing the rose"
With thanks to Youtube
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