Saint Roch
Stored in Cargo: Saint Roch
| Saint Roch | |
| Feast Day | August 16 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Plague victims, dogs, Montpellier |
| Birthplace | Montpellier, France |
| Death Place | Voghera, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (plague) |
| Primary Shrine | San Rocco, Venice, Italy |
Saint Roch (1295 AD – 1327 AD) was a French pilgrim and healer, revered for his care of plague victims and miraculous healings. Born in Montpellier, France, he traveled Italy, tending the sick, and died in prison. Canonized pre-Congregation, he is venerated for his charity.[1]
Roch is the patron saint of plague victims, dogs, and Montpellier, with his feast day on 16 August. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, his relics at San Rocco, Venice, draw pilgrims. His intercession remains sought during epidemics.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Roch was born in 1295 AD in Montpellier, France, to a wealthy family.[1] Montpellier’s Catholic culture shaped his faith. His parents, local nobles, ensured his education.
His piety emerged early.[3]
Early Life
Orphaned at 20, Roch distributed his wealth and became a pilgrim around 1315 AD.[4] In Italy, he cared for plague victims, reportedly healing many through prayer. Imprisoned in Voghera as a spy, he died in 1327 AD, identified by a cross-shaped birthmark.
His healings sparked widespread devotion.[5]
Occupation
Roch was a pilgrim and healer.[1] He tended the sick, prayed for recoveries, and lived ascetically. His “occupation” as a saint involved selfless service to plague victims.
His miracles inspired plague shrines.[6]
Vocation
Roch’s religious vocation began with his pilgrimage around 1315 AD.[1] Serving the sick across Italy, he embraced poverty and prayer. His endurance in prison, where he died in 1327 AD, defined his calling.
His cult spread rapidly in Europe.[7]
Death
Roch died in 1327 AD in Voghera, Italy, likely from plague, aged 32.[1] He passed in prison, mourned by locals. His death fueled his cult.
Relics at San Rocco, Venice, draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
- Began pilgrimage, 1315 AD.[5]
- Healed plague victims, 1320 AD.[6]
- Imprisoned in Voghera, 1325 AD.[4]
- Died in Voghera, 1327 AD.[1]
- Relics to Venice, 15th century AD.[7]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Montpellier, France
Death location: Voghera, Italy
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Roch’s sainthood was recognized post-1327 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his healings affirmed sanctity. Chronicles documented his life.
Devotion grew in Italy.[1]
Venerable
Roch was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His charity affirmed virtue. Italian clergy ensured his status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Roch did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] His veneration bypassed such stages. Venice honored him with a feast day by the 14th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Roch was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] His feast day of 16 August was set by the 14th century. No miracles were required; his healings sufficed.
His veneration thrives in Orthodox Christianity.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for Beatification
No miracle was required, as Roch was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on his works. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for Canonization
No miracle was required for Roch’s canonization.[1] His plague healings sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other Notable Miracles
- Plague recoveries attributed to Roch’s intercession.[7]
- His prison endurance was seen as divinely aided.[2]
Patronage
Saint Roch is the patron saint of plague victims, dogs, and Montpellier.[2] His patronage supports healing.[9]
Feast Day
Roch’s feast day is 16 August, celebrated with Masses in Venice and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to San Rocco mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Roch is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to San Rocco.[2] The sick seek his intercession. His relics are displayed on his feast day.
Depicted with plague sores, his charity, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written About the Saint
Written by the Saint
- No surviving works; legacy in hagiographies.[3]
External Links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Roch
- Catholic.org: St. Roch
- Franciscan Media: Saint Roch
- Catholic News Agency: St. Roch
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Roch". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-roch/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Roch". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=244. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Roch". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13100c.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Roch". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Roch. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Roch". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-roch/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Roch". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-roch-612. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Marco Bellini. "San Rocco". Patriarchate of Venice. https://www.venicediocese.it/roch. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Roch". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/08/16/101906-saint-roch. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Roch". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-roch. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Roch, Healer of Plagues". CatholicSaints via X. 16 August 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/roch2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.