St. Roch was born in Montpellir, the son of a rich merchant. He became
a hermit, and made numerous pilgrimages. Once he discovered that he was
inflicted with plague. To avoid spreading infection, he hid himself in the
woods and was fed by a dog, which stole him a loaf of bread a day from his
master’s table. An angel cured him and he returned to Montpellir, where
nobody recognized him. He was accused in espionage and thrown into prison,
where he died. St. Roch is the patron saint of the plague-inflicted. Depicted
in pilgrim’s clothes, sometimes with dog. |
