Why is St. Roch patron of the sick?

Tradition tells he healed plague victims with the sign of the cross and was healed by a dog that brought him bread while he pilgrimaged to Rome.

Saint Roch

Feast day: August 16

Pilgrim and confessor, patron of the sick and those suffering epidemics.

Roch was born in Montpellier, France, around 1295, into a noble family. He lost his parents early and distributed his goods to the poor.

He pilgrimaged to Rome and along the way devoted himself to caring for plague victims, healing many with the sign of the cross and prayer.

He contracted the plague himself and withdrew to a forest, where a dog brought him bread and a nobleman sheltered him.

He returned to France and was imprisoned as a spy, dying in prison on August 16, 1327, without revealing his noble identity.

After his death miracles multiplied and his fame as protector against plague spread across Europe and the Americas.

His liturgical feast is August 16. He is patron of the sick, pilgrims, and many cities in Brazil.

To the saint of the sick and pilgrims, we ask protection against plague and disease.