St Rosalia was born in 1130 in Palermo. She was the daughter of a noble family descended from Charlemange. When her remarkable beauty caused her to be sought in marriage by several lords, the Blessed virgin appeared to her and advised her to leave the world. She obeyed taking with her only a crucifix and her instruments of penance. She eventually settled at a cave on Mount Pelligrino. There she completed the sacrifice of her heart to god by austere penance and manual labor, sanctified by continuous prayer. She was said to have been miraculously nourished by the Host. She died in 1160.
Her body was long sought but in vain for many years. Finally, when it was found in the 17th century, it was encased in a sheath of rock crystal.