True to the Dominican charism, Rose contemplated and gave to others the fruit of contemplation. Hence, she cared for the sick and sometimes healed them miraculously. She grew medicinal herbs, and earned an income by selling flowers, which grew for her even out of season. With these flowers, of course, she decorated altars. While at Saint Dominic Church, she visited her fellow Dominican Saint Martin de Porres, who was the community's barber and surgeon.

Eventually, some envious gossips falsely accused Rose of being deceived by the devil. People were always on the alert for witchery of any kind. The reports about Rose provoked the saintly Archbishop Toribio to write a letter warning her about extremism. Even the Inquisition came to test her, but they only affirmed her sanctity. Unfortunately, her family by blood wasn't as appreciative and understanding as her family by religious profession. In fact, her mother, not only beat her but harassed her daughter constantly. Rose found some peace near the end of her life, though, in the home of a beneficent lady. There she would play the guitar. In 1617, when she was only 31 years old, she became terribly sick and died. Just 54 years later, Rose of Lima became the first canonized saint of the Americas. Words spoken to her by Christ and repeated in her writings live on today: "... without the burden of afflictions, it is impossible to reach the height of grace."