St.
Roch was born in Montpellir, the son of a rich merchant. He became
a hermit, and made numerous pilgrimages. Once he discovered that he was
inflicted with plague. To avoid spreading infection, he hid himself in
the woods and was fed by a dog, which stole him a loaf of bread a day from
his master’s table. An angel cured him and he returned to Montpellir, where
nobody recognized him. He was accused in espionage and thrown into prison,
where he died. St. Roch is the patron saint of the plague-inflicted. Depicted
in pilgrim’s clothes, sometimes with dog.
See: Jacques-Louis David.
St.
Roch Interceding with the Virgin for the Plague Striken.
Giorgione Madonna
and Child with St. Anthony and St. Roch.
Recommended reading:
The
Book of Saints: The Lives of the Saints According to the Liturgical Calendar
by George Angelini, Victor Hoagland (Editor). Regina Press, Malhame &
Company, 1986.
365
Saints: Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom and Wonder of Their Lives
by Woodeene Koenig-Brick (Author). Harper SanFrancisco, 1995.
Lives
of the Saints: From Mary and Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and Mother
Teresa by Richard McBrien (Author). Harper San Francisco, 2001.