O blessed Saint Roch, patron of the sick,
have pity on those who lie upon a bed of suffering.
Your power was so great when you were in this world,
that by the sign of the cross,
many were healed of their diseases.
Now that you are in heaven,
your power is not less.
Offer, then to God our sighs and tears
and obtain for us that health
we seek through Christ our Lord. - Source
St. Roch was a layman, a pilgrim. His feast day is August 16, the day after the Assumption. Popular legend indicates he contracted the plague and was nursed to health, in part, by a dog who licked his wounds and brought him food. Roch also nursed other plague victims. Unrecognized when he returned to his home town, the authorities imprisoned him as a spy. Thus he is the patron saint of the falsely accused and imprisoned, of dogs, pilgrims, the homeless, as well as plague victims or those suffering skin diseases. He is often depicted with St. Sebastian as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Interestingly enough, he is also the patron saint of 'bachelors'.
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