A listing of prayers and devotions to St. Roch for his powerful prayers and intercession. As Catholics, we believe in the intercession of the saints, who readily pray and assist us from Heaven.
St. Roch (also called St. Rock or St. Rocco) was a 14th-century French nobleman who became a pilgrim and healer during the time of the Black Death. Born with a red cross-shaped birthmark on his chest, he gave away his inheritance after his parents’ death and set out as a pilgrim to Rome. Along his journey, he encountered many cities ravaged by plague and became known for miraculously healing the sick by making the sign of the cross over them. Ironically, he eventually contracted the plague himself and retreated to a forest to avoid infecting others. According to legend, he survived thanks to a dog that brought him bread daily and licked his wounds. Upon returning to his hometown of Montpelier, he was unrecognizable and mistakenly imprisoned as a spy, dying in jail around 1327. He became one of the most popular saints in Europe, particularly invoked against plagues and epidemics, and is often depicted in art with his faithful dog and showing his plague sore.
The Novena to St. Roch is a novena for the intercession of Saint Roch, a patron saint of the sick and a symbol of hope, healing, and protection against illnesses, epidemics and contagious diseases. During the late Middle Ages, he gained great reverence as a saint, particularly in Italian towns where his miraculous healing abilities were widely acknowledged. Pray this prayer for 9 consecutive days for a special petition.
O Blessed St. 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 no less. Offer to God our sighs and tears and obtain for us the physical and spiritual health we seek:
(Mention your request…)
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Roch: Pray for us, that we may be relieved from all diseases of body and soul. (Repeat 3 times)
Lord Jesus, may Thy will be done.
Pray one time each: Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
