Roch
Also known as
Rocco; Rochus; Rock; Rollox; Roque
Rocco; Rochus; Rock; Rollox; Roque
Prayer to Saint Rocco
O Great St. Rocco, deliver us,
we beseech thee,
from the scourges of God;
through thy Intercessory,
preserve our bodies from contagious diseases,
and our souls from the contagion of sin.
Obtain for us salubrious air;
but, above all, purity of heart.
Assist us to make good use of health,
to bear suffering with patience;
and, after thy example,
to live in the practice of penance and charity,
that we may one day enjoy the happiness
which thou has merited by thy virtues.
Memorial 16 August
Rochus was born the son of a wealthy French nobleman. As a child and a young man, he had many advantages and privileges. Yet, as he grew he saw the needs of the homeless, the poor, and the sick.
At
age 20, he gave his fortune to the poor and renounced his nobility.
Rochus then went on a pilgrimage to Rome where he spent his time caring
for victims of a plague, curing, and healing by the sign of the cross.
The sign of the cross had personal meaning since a birthmark on his
chest was in the form of a cross.
While
ministering to the needs of the sick, Rochus became infected himself.
It was his nature not to burden others, and he stayed in a hovel. While
he lay dying, a dog from a nearby villa found Rochus and brought a fresh
roll from his master’s house each day. The dog’s owner noticed this
strange behavior and his curiosity led him to Rochus. Touched by the
sick man and his condition, the dog’s owner befriended him and Rochus
recovered.
Back
in France there was a civil war. Rochus left for home and the dog went
with him. The turbulence of war led him to be accused to spying. Rochus
refused to identify himself as royalty and was thrown in prison along
with his dog. He spent time praying and helping fellow prisoners until
he died five years later. At his death a document in his possession and
the distinctive birthmark revealed his true identity.
After
his death, numerous miracles, especially those related to the plague
and infectious diseases, were attributed to Rochus. He was canonized 100
years after his death. Since then, intercessions on his behalf have
helped paupers, princes, priests, and popes.
St. Rochus also became known as the patron saint of dogs and dog lovers.
Patronage:
Bachelors; Barano, Italy; Castropignano, Italy; cholera; Constantinople; diseased cattle; dogs; epidemics; falsely accused people; invalids; Istanbul; knee problems; Labico, Italy; Orsogna, Italy; Patricia, Italy; plague; Pozzi, Italy; relief from pestilence; Rocca Priora, Italy; diocese of Tagbilaran, Philippines; skin diseases; skin rashes; Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines; surgeons; tile makers.
Patronage:
Bachelors; Barano, Italy; Castropignano, Italy; cholera; Constantinople; diseased cattle; dogs; epidemics; falsely accused people; invalids; Istanbul; knee problems; Labico, Italy; Orsogna, Italy; Patricia, Italy; plague; Pozzi, Italy; relief from pestilence; Rocca Priora, Italy; diocese of Tagbilaran, Philippines; skin diseases; skin rashes; Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines; surgeons; tile makers.
Prayer to Saint Roch
Dear medicant Pilgrim, you once took care of sufferers from the plague and were always ready to help other by kind service and fervent prayers. You yourself had no home and you died in a dungeon. No wonder countless invalids have confidently invoked your help. Please grant a cure to {name of the sufferer}, and help us all become spiritually healthy.
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