St. Rock - Patron of Invalids and Those With Skin Disease - August 16th
Rock was the son of the governor of Montpellier in France. When his parents died, he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Rome. At this time, he was about twenty years old. A terrible disease, called the plague, was spreading all over Italy when Rock arrived in that land, and he went from one city to another nursing the sick. Many times he cured them just by making the sign of the cross over them.
In the city of Piacenza, St. Rock became sick himself, and he who had helped so many others did not want to be a bother to anyone. So he managed to make his way into a forest and there he lay down to die. But God took care of him. A dog led his master to the Saint and this man took care of Rock until he grew better.
Finally, St. Rock returned home to Montpellier, France, but his uncle did not even recognize him. After five years of patient suffering, Rock died there, and only when a small cross-like mark on his chest was noticed did people realize that he was the son of their former governor. He was given a great funeral and many miracles took place.
He who visit’s the sick and helps them will earn a great reward from God.
