Of Dogs & Owners - St. Roch

Over the course of my life, I have been privileged to have 6 different dogs as members of my family. Not to mention all of the strays that have come and gone in between – other dogs,birds, mice, fish…I have always been surrounded by animals and treat them with the utmost respect.  As a Catholic I have been aware of the patron saints and St. Francis of Assisi– the patron saint of animals - is no exception.  I would take my dogs to the blessing of the animals every year at St. Dominic’s parish in The Bronx.  I think to most Catholic animal caretakers St.Francis is THEE patron saint of animals….but there are others.  The one that I am most intrigued by is St.Roch. 

St. Roch is more commonly known as the patron saint of the invalid and infirm but he is also known as the patron saint of dogs and their owners.  When you read the story of St. Roch, it is easy to understand how dogs came to be known as “man’s best friend”.

St. Roch was born in France to nobility.  At the age of 20, upon the death of his parents, he gave up his worldly goods to the poor – one source even suggests that he gave to St. Francis of Assisi.  St. Roch then embarked on a mendicant pilgrimage to Rome to care for the poor and infirm.  He arrived in Italy during an outbreak of plague and committed himself to tending the sick.  St. Roch eventually fell ill with plague himself, and not one to burden others, he retreated into the forest to live in a hovel. 

While there and dying, he was discovered by a dog that belonged to Gothard Palastrelli, a nobleman from a nearby villa.  The dog started bringing bread every day to St. Roch from the table of his person.  Count Gothard followed the dog one day and discovered St. Roch.  He befriended him – man and dog became acolytes of St. Roch. 

St. Roch recovered from his illness and returned to France.  He was not recognized as nobility and was imprisoned as a spy.  He remained in prison for 5 years, never revealing his true identity.  It is said that the dog had been in prison with him and remained by his side for the 5 years until his death.

I could not find any prayers to St. Roch, on behalf of dogs and their owners, but that is no reason not to pray to St. Roch on behalf of man and his best friend.  The feastday of St. Roch is celebrated on August 16th.

If you know of a prayer or have written one yourself, let me know.

Sources
Catholic.Org
SCBorromeo.org
Wikipedia – St. Roch