Also known as Rocco, Rochus ,Rock ,Rollox, Roque

Memorial 16 August

Profile French noble who early developed a sympathy for the poor and sick; reported to have been born with the image of a red cross on his breast. Orphaned at age 20, he gave his fortune to the poor, and became a mendicant pilgrim; may have been a Franciscan tertiary. While on pilgrimage Roch encountered an area afflicted with plague. He stayed to minister to the sick, and affected several miraculous cures, usually by making the sign of the cross over them, but contracted the plague himself. He walked into a forest to die, but was befriended by a dog. The dog fed him with food stolen from his master's table, and Roch eventually recovered.

When Roch returned to Montpellier, France, he was arrested for being a spy. He languished in jail for five years, never mentioning his noble connections, cared for by an angel until his death.

Born 1295 at Montpelier, France

Died 1327 at Montpelier or Angleria, France of natural causes relics in Venice and Rome, Italy, and at Arles, France

Patronage against cholera, against epidemic,s against knee problems, against plague, against skin diseases, against skin rashes, bachelors diseased cattle, dogs, falsely accused people, invalids, relief from pestilence, surgeons, tile makers

Representation angel, bread, dog, pilgrim with staff, often displaying a plague sore on his leg ,pilgrim with a dog, pilgrim with a dog licking the plague spot

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