St. Roch was born into a wealthy noble family in Montpellier, France, in 1295, and from a young age he preferred humility over arrogance and acts of religious sacrifice over worldly indulgence. After the death of both his parents when he was 20, he gave away all his money and possessions to the poor, renounced his noble title, and embarked on a new life of spirituality and service.
As he traveled throughout Europe, bravely caring for those who were suffering from the deadly plague, he prayed and visited holy sites, somehow remaining untouched by the disease while he worked tirelessly to bring hope to the afflicted. But eventually, his luck ran out. Infected with the disease, he retreated to the forest to avoid endangering others and accepted almost certain death.
But someone came to care for St. Roch in his time of need just as he had cared for others: A dog brought him bread and licked his festering wounds to help heal them. One day, the dog’s guardian, Count Gottardo Pallastrelli, followed him to see where he was taking the bread, found the suffering man, and took him in while he recovered.
St. Roch continued his ministry until his death with an even stronger sense of his calling, thanks to the care he had received from his miraculous canine friend. The compassion this kind pup showed him is a beautiful reminder of Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” God created all living, feeling beings with souls capable of worshipping Him and showing kindness to others, just as a sweet dog showed kindness to St. Roch. You can recite this prayer for the many sensitive, intelligent dogs who are suffering every day due to cruelty and exploitation:
Blessed St. Roch, you share our love for dogs and know how intricately God created their minds and hearts. Please intercede for the health of all dogs who share our lives and for the safety of those who face homelessness, so that they may find loving homes. Pray for us to take seriously God’s call to be good stewards of all creation and end the needless misery of the countless dogs who are cruelly exploited around the world. And finally, care for those sweet companion dogs whom God called to Himself before us. St Roch, pray for us and all other animals!
