St. Rocco

Patron Saint of Surgeons and Pilgrims

St. Roch or Rocco was born to a noble family in Montpellier in the 1300s. Upon the death of his parents, he gave away his earthly possessions and began a pilgrimage to Rome. When he arrived in Italy, the entire country was suffering from a massive epidemic. Rocco made his way throughout the country performing miracles to cure those suffering. When Rocco fell sick at Piacenza, he was expelled from the city and was about to perish. But a dog found Rocco and brought his owner who aided him. When he came back from Italy, he was arrested and locked in prison, where he later perished. St. Rocco is the patron saint of surgeons and pilgrims. He is also invoked for protection against epidemics and the plague.