The Patron Saint of Dogs

Saint Roch, the patron Saint of Dogs, led a fascinating life. Read all about his life and deeds to learn about why this saint is associated with dogs.

The painting "Saint Roch and the Angel" (17th century) by Claude Simpol. Public domain

Saint Roch, also known as Saint Rocco, was born in Montpellier, France, in 1295. He was born into the noble family of the governor, St. Roch's father. Roch was his parents' only son, born with a deep red birthmark on his chest in the shape of a cross. This birthmark was a sign that the Virgin Mary had heard his mother's prayers (she had struggled with infertility).

Roch was a fastidiously religious child who fasted twice a week, just like his devout mother. When Roch's parents died, he was merely twenty years old, and he didn't want to be the governor. Roch gave his inheritance to the poor and the title of governor to his uncle, beginning a new life as a mendicant pilgrim (one who relies on alms and begging to survive).

Fabricio Cardenas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

He joined the Third Order of Franciscans and wore the traditional pilgrim's garb as he set out on a holy pilgrimage to visit Rome, where he would pray at the holy places upon arrival. On his journey there, he came across the village of Acquapendente, which was suffering from the bubonic plague. Roch saw the devastation the black plague was wreaking upon the village and decided to stay awhile, caring for the sick.

He worked both in private homes and in hospitals, constantly risking his life to tend to the anguished residents of Acquapendente. Roch cured the sick by praying, touching, and making the sign of the cross over the infected. He stayed in the village until the spread of the disease stopped, and he commenced his pilgrimage, repeating his healing miracles in each beplagued town he passed through on his way to Rome, and even in Rome itself.

When Roch reached the town of Piacenza, his luck seemed to run out. He became struck with the plague in his leg, and rather than make anyone else ill by asking for their help, he commended himself to God and isolated himself in a remote, abandoned forest hut in the woods. While he lay there, his body wracked with infection, a local nobleman's hunting dog found and befriended Roch.

The dog brought Roch bread daily, and when the dog licked Roch's wounds, they slowly began to heal, day by day. A spring even arose nearby to provide Roch with fresh water. Roch believed the dog to be a gift from God, and so prayed to God with gratitude. He also prayed prayers of blessing for the dog. After the event, Roch remembered that his guardian angel had directed the dog in how to heal Roch.

Saint Roch by Francesco Francia

Of course, the nobleman got curious as to where his hunting dog was going each day, and he followed his dog into the woods. When they reached Roch, the nobleman knew he must aid this holy pilgrim, and Roch grew healthier by the day until he fully recovered. When he was healed, Roch received divine inspiration which told him to return to Montpellier, the place of his birth.

The nobleman allowed Roch to keep the hunting dog, and so Roch commenced his journey with a companion, this time bound homewards. Upon arrival, they found the city at war. Wishing to remain anonymous, having recanted his previous life as the son of the governor, he didn't identify himself to the soldiers of the city.

Suspicion of Roch grew, and he was soon accused as a spy disguised as a pilgrim. Roch didn't defend himself against these claims, trusting himself entirely to God's will. His own uncle failed to recognized him and Roch was imprisoned and quickly forgotten. He spent five years in prison with his dog, angels sent by God ministering to him while he was there. Roch himself reportedly cared for other prisoners.

Statue of St. Roch, Bílá Hora, Prague (1751)

In 1397, Roch knew that his time on Earth was drawing to a close, and he asked for a priest to come and administer the last sacraments. The priest entered the prison and witnessed a supernatural light with a special radiance surrounding Roch. While Roch died, a tablet appeared on the wall, upon which the hand of an angel wrote "Roch" in golden letters, as well as an augury that all who invoked Roth's name in intercession would be freed of the plague.

When he learned that his nephew had died in his own prison, Roch's uncle went to the prison, along with Roch's grandmother. His grandmother identified Roch by the birthmark on his chest, and the family held a funeral for the departed. They also built a church in his honor, entombing his body inside. A number of popes approved veneration of Roch and tales of Roch's miracles spread throughout Europe.

Moreau.henri, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The plague struck Rome once more in 1414, and the Council Fathers of Constance arranged for prayers and processions to be held in St. Roch's honor, as he was considered the patron saint against the plague and contagious disease in general. The plague soon ceased after their venerations of St. Roch, though he was not yet officially a saint. That would not happen until a century after Roch's death.

In art, St. Roch is frequently depicted in his pilgrim's garb with a walking staff, a seashell (commonly used as the symbol of pilgrims), an open wound on his leg, an angel, and a dog. The dog is often depicted carrying bread in its mouth.

Many towns where St. Roch delivered people of the plague chose him as their patron. Besides being the patron of protection from infectious diseases, he is also the patron saint of dogs, dog owners, knee problems, surgeons, invalids, bachelors, diseased cattle, disabled people, people falsely accused of crimes, cholera, plague, skin rashes, pestilence, and epidemics. His feast day is on August 16th.

AlbertoGollino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons






Written by Skye I. R. Iwanski

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