Why would a soccer club in the Netherlands dedicate its new jersey to a Peruvian saint? The answer lies in the 17th century, when the people of Sittard entrusted their city to the intercession of St. Rose of Lima during a deadly epidemic.
Fortuna Sittard, a team in the top tier Dutch Eredivisie league, unveiled its new away jersey for the 2026–2027 season as a tribute to the city’s patron saint, whose devotion has remained alive for more than three centuries.
“The deep burgundy color directly refers to the rose, the saint’s symbol. In addition, the design incorporates a subtle rose pattern that reflects the rich history of St. Rose and the special bond between the patron saint and the city of Sittard,” the club said on its website.
The uniform’s details also evoke the Peruvian saint. The typography used is inspired by the architecture of the Chapel of St. Rose in Sittard; the jersey numbers are surrounded by thorns, alluding to her iconography; and an image of the saint appears on the back of the shirt above the player’s name.
But behind this design is a story of faith and gratitude that remains alive in the Dutch city.
The promise that changed
