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Roch,
the son of a wealthy governor, was born in France in the fourteenth
century. Orphaned in his late teens, he gave away his inherited
fortune to charity and headed for Rome. As plague spread across
Europe, Roch traveled from city to city tending to the sick
and, legend has it, he cured people simply by making the Sign
of the Cross. He eventually became infected himself, developing
a sore on his leg, but refused hospitalization. Roch wandered
deep into the forest and befriended a dog, who kept him alive
by stealing food from his master’s table. When Roch had
gained enough strength he returned home to France. Unrecognized
by his uncle because of his plague-stricken countenance, he
was imprisoned for espionage and lived for five more years.
After his death, a cross-shaped birthmark on his chest revealed
his true identity and he was buried with honor by his family.
European homes during the cholera epidemics of the nineteenth
century would often have the initials VSR (Viva St. Roch) over
their doorways as protection from pestilence. Roch is also the
patron of cattle, doctors, invalids and prisoners; and he’s
invoked against contagious diseases, skin diseases and plagues.
His feast day is August 18. |
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| St.
Roch
Patron St. of
Dog Lovers |
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