Feast of San Rocco di Montpellier

San Rocco di Montpellier, ora pro nobis

August 16th is the Feast of San Rocco di Montpellier, ascetic, itinerant pilgrim, hermit and wonderworker. Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, he is the patron saint of Potenza (PZ), Castelmezzano (PZ), Quaglietta (AV), Orsogna (CH), Locorotondo (BA), Monteleone di Puglia (FG), Pietraperzia (EN), Palmi (RC), Scilla (RC), and Gioiosa Ionica (RC), among others. One of the 52 co-patrons of Naples, he is also the patron saint of pilgrims, dogs, bachelors and plague victims.

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Rocco. The accompanying photo was taken at the now-closed Saint Joseph's Church (5 Monroe Street) in Manhattan. The beautiful papier-mâché statue has since been moved to Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter St.) in New York City's historic Little Italy. Evviva San Rocco!

Prayer to Saint Rocco

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God; through thy intercession, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues. St. Rocco, pray for us (say thrice)