Born - 1295 Our Patron Saint Died - 1327
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St. Roch
Saint Roch was born into a noble family on August 16, 1295, in Montpellier, France. His father was governor of the city. At his birth Roch is said to have been found miraculously marked on the breast with a red cross. At an early age, his parents died leaving him an orphan under the care of his uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. Soon after, Roch joined the Franciscan Order, took a vow of poverty, distributed his wealth among the poor and went on a pilgrimage to Rome.
At that time Italy was stricken with a rampant plague. Wherever St. Roch went he was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing by praying and making the sign of the cross over the plague victims.
During his travels he too contracted the plague which was manifested by an open sore on his leg. He withdrew to a cave in a neighboring forest, where miraculously, a dog from a nearby castle faithfully brought him food as a means of sustenance. One day the Lord of this castle followed the dog into the woods and discovered Roch. The nobleman had pity on him and brought him to his castle where Roch was eventually cured.
Saint Roch traveled through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his birthplace in France. Arriving at Montpellier, he was taken for a spy and cast into prison by order of the governor - his own uncle who did not recognize him. After five years in prison, on August 16, 1327 a guard entered Roch's cell and found him near death. The dungeon was illuminated with a blue light radiating from his body. Upon hearing this, the Governor insisted on knowing the prisoner's identity. It was only when they found the cross on his breast that they realized who he was. The Governor and the townspeople present in the cell then believed that it was truly his nephew. As he died, a voice was heard announcing that Saint Roch's soul had merited immortal glory in Heaven. Even after his death Saint Roch was attributed with performing many miracles of healing.
Saint Roch is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against all contagious diseases. The statue of Saint Roch is considered unique among theologians because of his pose. It is most unusual because it depicts him with his hand pointing to an open sore on his leg. Few images of saints expose any afflictions or handicaps. His body is enclosed in a glass tomb in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy. We commemorate the death of this great follower of Christ on August 16th of each year.
Seven centuries after his death, Saint Roch is still honored in Patricia, Italy and revered as their Patron Saint. Here in Kahuku, Hawaii, our community has celebrated the feast of Saint Roch for more than nine decades. The year 2010 marks our 92nd celebration of the feast of Saint Roch.
