Jared Staudt on the Patron Saint against Plague

"I stumbled across the pilgrim plague survivor, St. Rocco, when I was 15. It was my first time in Europe, visiting my aunt who was studying at the University of Montpellier (founded c. 1292) in southern France. I hadn't heard of Rocco before, but I found myself praying in his hometown church, the very first medieval church I visited.

"St. Rocco (Roche or Rock) lived in the mid 14th century during the outbreak of the Black Death. He was orphaned as a young man and renounced his inheritance before his uncle, the lord of Montpellier. He set out as a pilgrim for Rome, but stopped to serve plague victims along the way, healing the sick through prayer. After visiting the Eternal City and an audience with the pope, he came down with the plague himself, the reason most depictions of the saint show a boil on his leg. He took refuge in a self-made hut, where a dog brought him food, whose owner eventually nursed the saint back to health. After recovering, he returned home only to be thrown into prison for five years, suspected as a spy. Weakened to the point death, a miraculous light shone from his cell, leading to the discovery of his true identity, confirmed by his birthmark in the shape of a cross.

"Throughout the 15th century, St. Rocco became known as a great defender against the plague, even to the point of averting it from the Council of Constance in 1414. For this reason, he also became a popular patron for confraternities dedicated to serving the sick. . . ."

In a recent commentary, R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D., reflected on the Saint Rocco and on some on the art inspired by devotion to him.

To access Dr. Staudt's complete post, please visit:

Building Catholic Culture: The Patron Saint against Plague and the Great Art He Inspired (24 MAR 20)