Saint Roch: The Patron Saint of Dogs
August 16 is the annual feast day of St. Roch, the patron saint of dogs. Saint Roch (pronounced "rock") was a Frenchman born to nobility in 1295, so it may seem strange that he is recognized as the patron saint of dogs.
But, there's a lot more to the story...
Patron Saint of Dogs
In addition to being the patron saint of dogs, Roch is the patron saint of invalids, falsely accused people, and bachelors, as well as the Italian cities of Dolo, Parma, Palagiano, and Cisterna di Latina.
While he was born into money, he didn't appear to be a big fan of it. After losing his parents at age of twenty, he began wandering the countryside near Rome.
Roch was well-known for donating not only his money, but his time, to the peasants who suffered from plague.
The Plague Strikes...
After years of helping others and donating nearly his entire fortune to others, Saint Roch eventually caught the plague himself. Not wanting to burden others with his care, he entered the forest to die alone.
As he suffered, starved and alone, he was discovered by a stray dog.
Roch fully expected the animal to attack him and end his suffering. Instead, the animal brought him bread to eat. Every day, the dog returned with food, then stayed by his side to care for him.
It is said that this hunting dog healed Roch by licking the wounds the plague created, bringing the man food to keep him alive.
Cared for by a Hunting Dog
Eventually, Roch recovered. He and his newly acquired dog went to town and discovered that the dog was owned by a local Count who had been a friend over the years. Surprised and impressed, the dog was presented to Roch by the owner.
Together, Roch and his newfound four-legged friend began traveling again, eventually returning to Montpelier, France.
But Roch's life was not yet over and more adventures awaited them...
Arrest and Imprisonment
After they returned to France, Roch and his dog were arrested as spies. They would both spend the next five years in prison together.
Some believe that the dog survived by caring for other prisoners. Others say that the duo were cared for by an angel.
Whatever the case, Roch never mentioned his nobility to prison officials and as a result, languished in prison under false allegations until his death in 1327.
There isn't much mention of Roch after his death. The only data we can find is in the "Golden Legend" (a collection of hagiographies by Jacobus de Voragine that was widely read in late medieval Europe)
anon an angel brought from heaven a table divinely written with letters of gold into the prison, which he laid under the head of S. Rocke. And in that table was written that God had granted to him his prayer, that is to wit, that who that calleth meekly to S. Rocke he shall not be hurt with any hurt of pestilence
While history does not tell us what happened to the dog, but many feel certain that he appears in the form of every dog in the lives of our own.
