Born at Montpellier towards 1295; died 1327.
His father was governor of
that city. At his birth St. Roch is said to have been found
miraculously marked on the breast with a red cross.
Deprived of his
parents when about twenty years old, he distributed his fortune among
the poor, handed over to his uncle the government of Montpellier, and in
the disguise of a mendicant pilgrim, set out for Italy, but stopped at
Aquapendente, which was stricken by the plague, and devoted himself to
the plague-stricken, curing them with the sign of the cross. He next
visited Cesena and other neighbouring cities and then Rome. Everywhere
the terrible scourge disappeared before his miraculous power. He visited
Mantua, Modena, Parma, and other cities with the same results.
At
Piacenza, he himself was stricken with the plague. He withdrew to a hut
in the neighbouring forest, where his wants were supplied by a gentleman named Gothard, who by a miracle learned the
place of his retreat.
After his recovery Roch returned to France.
Arriving at Montpellier and refusing to disclose his identity, he was
taken for a spy in the disguise of a pilgrim, and cast into prison by
order of the governor, — his own uncle, some writers say, — where five
years later he died. The miraculous cross on his breast as well as a
document found in his possession now served for his identification. He
was accordingly given a public funeral, and numerous miracles attested
his sanctity.
In 1414, during the Council of Constance, the
plague having broken out in that city, the Fathers of the Council
ordered public prayers and processions in honour of the saint, and
immediately the plague ceased. His relics, according to Wadding, were
carried furtively to Venice in 1485, where they are still venerated. It
is commonly held that he belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis; but
it cannot be proved. Wadding leaves it an open question.
Urban VIII
approved the ecclesiastical office to be recited on his feast (16
August). Paul III instituted a confraternity, under the invocation of
the saint, to have charge of the church and hospital erected during the
pontificate of Alexander VI. The confraternity increased so rapidly that
Paul IV raised it to an archconfraternity, with powers to aggregate
similar confraternities of St. Roch. It was given a cardinal-protector,
and a prelate of high rank was to be its immediate superior (see Reg. et
Const. Societatis S. Rochi). Various favours have been bestowed on it
by Pius IV (C. Regimini, 7 March, 1561), by Gregory XIII (C. dated 5
January, 1577), by Gregory XIV (C. Paternar. pont., 7 March, 1591), and
by other pontiffs. It still flourishes.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia
In 1414, during the Council of Constance, the plague having broken out in that city, the Fathers of the Council ordered public prayers and processions in honour of the saint, and immediately the plague ceased. His relics, according to Wadding, were carried furtively to Venice in 1485, where they are still venerated. It is commonly held that he belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis; but it cannot be proved. Wadding leaves it an open question.
Urban VIII
approved the ecclesiastical office to be recited on his feast (16
August). Paul III instituted a confraternity, under the invocation of
the saint, to have charge of the church and hospital erected during the
pontificate of Alexander VI. The confraternity increased so rapidly that
Paul IV raised it to an archconfraternity, with powers to aggregate
similar confraternities of St. Roch. It was given a cardinal-protector,
and a prelate of high rank was to be its immediate superior (see Reg. et
Const. Societatis S. Rochi). Various favours have been bestowed on it
by Pius IV (C. Regimini, 7 March, 1561), by Gregory XIII (C. dated 5
January, 1577), by Gregory XIV (C. Paternar. pont., 7 March, 1591), and
by other pontiffs. It still flourishes.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia
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