St. Roch - Patron in Infectious Diseases
Yesterday, on August 16, was the Memorial Day of St. Roch. Because it was Sunday, which takes precedence, today I want to bring us closer to this Saint, who can be our help from God for the days of the pandemic that we are experiencing now.
St. Roch - Patron in Infectious Diseases
Numerous churches and chapels dedicated to St. Roch are a testimony of the cult of a medieval saint who is venerated as a patron of infectious diseases. He was addressed especially when the so-called plague air, and thus epidemics of plague, black pox, typhus and cholera ravaged towns and villages.
St. Roch by his origin was French. He lived in the fourteenth century. We learn about his life from the history, but often from tradition. He was born to a wealthy family in Montpellier. He lost his parents in his youth. Fascinated, with St. Francis of Assisi and following the advice of the Gospel: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven" (ct. Mt 19:21), he sold the property inherited from his parents, and distributed the money to the poor.
Then he set off on a pilgrimage to Rome. Along the way, in several places, he encountered a spreading plague epidemic. Not caring about his own safety, he looked after the infected.
He did the same when, after several years of wandering, he reached the Eternal City. There, too, he enriched his piety by serving the poor and the sick. His attitude and gift of healing won him a saint’s reputation. After the plague in Rome was over and the city returned to normal life, Roch decided to return to France.
On the way back he found a plague epidemic again - this time in Piacenza. This time he became infected with the disease himself. Submitting to God's will, so as not to infect others, he took refuge in a nearby forest. According to the legend, a dog traced him there. Following the dog's traces, the owner of a nearby farm discovered Roch, took him to his home and looked after him until he recovered.
Roch continued his journey, but in the border town of Angera, he was arrested on suspicion of espionage. Then he was tortured and imprisoned for more than 5 years. Exhausted by illness and torture, he died on August 16, around 1327, at the age of only 32. His innocence and holiness were to be revealed by a miraculous inscription on the prison wall: "Those who will be affected by the plague and will call for help of Saint Roch, as their mediator and intercessor, will be healed." So, the townspeople took his relics with them and buried in the parish church. Then his remains were transferred to Vogher and finally to Venice (in 1485), where they are still today.
With Roch's death, his cult as the patron saint of the plague began. It spread quickly in France, Germany and Italy. In Rome, Pope Alexander VI erected a church in honor of the saint, and Pius IV founded a hospital, entrusting it to the Society of St. Roch (1560). His memory falls on August 16.
The cult of St. Roch quickly spread across Europe: France, Germany, Poland and Italy. Frequent epidemics, which decimated the population and depopulated towns and villages, favored the development of the veneration of St. Roch as a patron of the plague. From the fifteenth century, he belonged to the Fourteen Helpers. Pope Alexander VI erected a church in honor of the saint, and Pius IV founded a hospital, entrusting it to the Society of St. Roch (1560). The Franciscans, who consider him their tertiary, contributed much to the spread of his cult. Roch was canonized by popular fervor. His name was ordered by Gregory XIII (+ 1585) to be added to the Roman Martyrology, and this decision was confirmed by the strict Pope Urban VIII (+ 1644).
In honor of St. Roch, even a religious family Rochici was established.
St. Roch is the patron saint of Montpellier, Parma, and Venice; pharmacists, doctors, gardeners, farmers, hospitals and prisoners. He is also considered the guardian of domestic animals.
Prayer to St. Roch
O Blessed Saint Roch,
Patron of the sick,
Have pity on those
Who lie upon a bed of suffering.
Your power was so great
When you were in this world,
That by the sign of the Cross,
Many were healed of their diseases.
Now that you are in heaven,
Your power is not less.
Offer, then, to God
Our sighs and tears
And obtain for us that health we seek
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Repeat the following 3 times)
Saint Roch, pray for us,
That we may be preservedFrom all diseases of body and soul.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george