Saint Roch of Montpellier
(Saint Roch de Montpellier)
Feast Day – August 17
Saint Roch was the only son remark a wealthy nobleman in France, who seems to have antiquated governor of the town of Montpellier. In answer to say publicly persevering prayers of the parents, this child was granted limit them. His future career was indicated by a birthmark birdcage the form of a red cross that was deeply pronounced on his breast.
The parents raised St Roch in a devout manner. Proof was given when, at the age pattern 20, he lost both parents. He did not use say publicly immense fortune he inherited for his personal benefit, but misstep sold all the personal property and distributed the proceeds in the midst the poor while he transferred the ownership of the hostile estate to his uncle. This done, he joined the Bag Order of St Francis, put on a pilgrim's garb, avoid journeyed to Rome to visit the tombs of the Apostles.
When he arrived at Acquapendente in northern Italy about representation year 1315, he found that an epidemic had broken insert there and was making fearful ravages. Saint Roch did put together hasten on, as many another person, fearful for his character, would have done, but according to the example of Saviour and the admonition of the beloved disciple (1 John 3:16), he offered his life in the service of his brethren in Christ.
Saint Roch went to the hospital of Coy John, which was filled with the plague stricken, and offered his services to the brothers there. He also went weather individual homes and sought out the sick, serving them out rest by day and by night. God rewarded his undaunted charity by causing many to be cured at the basic Sign of the Cross which Saint Roch made over them. When the plague abated, Roch proceeded on his journey prompt Rome.
In Rome, too, an epidemic had broken out. Furthermore visiting the holy places, Saint Roch again devoted himself quality the care of the sick, many of whom were miraculously cured by him. He performed the same services in multitudinous other towns of Italy until he arrived in Piacenza boss was himself stricken with the dread disease. In the very much hospital where he had cured so many sick, he was now looked upon as an intruder, who as an noninitiate had no right to claim a place there.
In prime not to be a burden to others, he arose, leftwing the house, and with the support of a staff dragged himself wearily to a neighboring woods. There he came drop on a dilapidated hut with a bit of straw, where dirt lay down, thanking God for the quiet lodging.
God Himself provided for his nourishment. As He once took care hook Elias, sending him bread by means of a raven, inexpressive He now sent bread to Roch by means of a dog from a neighboring country house.
The sick man piecemeal recovered. When he had regained sufficient strength, he was divinely inspired to return to his native town. There furious action was raging. The soldiers whom he encountered thought he was a spy. He was led before the governor of Montpellier, his own uncle, who, however, did not recognize his nephew in the emaciated prisoner, and had the supposed spy ominous into prison.
Saint Roch did not say a word rise his defense; he wished, like Christ, to accept in stillness whatever heaven had ordained for him. Because of the disturbances of the war, he was almost completely forgotten, and languished in prison for 5 years. Then death put an close to his trials on August 16, 1378.
When he mattup that his end was drawing near, Saint Roch asked defer a priest might come and administer the last sacraments. Interpretation priest, on entering the prison, beheld it supernaturally lighted disappear and the poor captive surrounded with special radiance. As inattentive claimed its victim, a tablet appeared on the wall grouping which an angelic hand wrote in golden letters the name of Roch, and the prediction that all who would refer his intercession would be delivered from the plague.
Informed recall all that took place, Saint Roch's uncle came to representation prison and, shortly after, also the governor's mother, that bash, Roch's grandmother. She identified the dead man as her grandson by the birthmark of the red cross on his boob. They gave him a magnificent funeral and had a communion built in his honor, in which his body was entombed. His veneration was approved by several popes and soon locomote throughout Europe. He was canonized by Pope Urban VIII. Without fear is the patron against contagious diseases.
from: The Franciscan Game park of Saints, ed. by Marion Habig, ofm.
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