Roch of Montpellier

Saint Roch was born around 1348 in Montpellier, France, to a noble family. Orphaned at a young age, he distributed his wealth to the poor and embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome. During his journey through Italy, he dedicated himself to caring for plague victims, healing many sick through prayer and the laying on of hands. Having contracted the disease himself in Piacenza, he retreated to a forest, where a dog faithfully brought him bread daily and licked his wounds, contributing to his recovery. Once healed, he was imprisoned in Voghera, suspected of espionage, and died there around 1379, his identity only revealed after his death by a birthmark. His cult spread rapidly throughout Europe, especially during subsequent plague epidemics, making him one of the most venerated saints against contagious diseases.