Antonimina Parish News

A warm welcome from Father Francis on behalf of the parish of San Nicola di Bari

On this page we will have regularly updated news, with photographs where possible, under the following headings:

A word from Father Francis:

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16th August - Celebration of St Rock (St Rocco)

A History of St. Rocco, for those who need reminding of the story.

The life of St. Rocco is poorly documented. The oldest "Life of Saint Rocco" was written in Italian, probably by his friend and follower Gothard Palastrelli of Plaisance. The original is lost, but the Nuremburg library owns the translation of this text in German dating from 1484. In addition to that text, Francesco Diedo, a Venetian aristocrat and governor of Brescia in Lombardy, collected several oral and written versions in a biography that he published in 1484. It is an edifying account where legend blends with the supernatural in a story. Ten years later, Hercules Albiflorius, from the town of Udine, published another biography of this Saint.

St. Rocco was born of noble parentage about 1340 A.D. in Montpellier, France. At birth it was noted that he had a red cross-shaped birthmark on the left side of his chest. As a young child, St. Rocco showed great devotion to God and the Blessed mother. At an early age, his parents died leaving him an orphan under the care of his uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. Soon after, St. Rocco distributed his wealth among the poor and took a vow of poverty.

St. Rocco dressed in the clothes of a pilgrim and departed for Rome. At that time, Italy was stricken with a rampant disease. St. Rocco cured many with this dreaded disease by praying for them and making the sign of the cross.

During his travels, he too contracted the plague which was evident by an open sore on his leg. Rocco was banished from the city and took refuge in a cave. Here he slept on leaves and drank water from a small stream. Miraculously a dog that refused to eat, faithfully brought him bread as a means of sustenance. The dog used to leave a nearby castle and the Lord of this castle having a curious nature followed this dog into the woods and discovered Rocco. The nobleman had pity on Rocco and brought him to his castle where Rocco was cured.

St. Rocco traveled through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his birthplace in France. So weak and sick from suffering, the townspeople did not recognize him and he was thrown into jail as a spy without any proof. But yet he was kept in prison for five years. On August 16, 1378, a guard entered his cell and found St. Rocco near death. The dungeon was illuminated with a blue light radiating from his body. Upon hearing this, the Governor demanded to know St. Rocco's identity. St. Rocco faintly replied, I am your nephew Rocco. Only one thing could prove that, so he had him disrobed and the red cross-like mark was visible on the left side of his chest. The Governor and the townspeople present in the cell then believed. A voice from paradise was heard announcing that St. Rocco's soul had merited immortal glory in Heaven. Even after his death, St. Rocco performed many miracles.

Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The statue of Saint Rocco is considered unique among theologians because of his pose. It is most unusual because it depicts him with his left hand pointing to an open sore on his left leg. Few images of saints expose any afflictions or handicaps. His body is enclosed in a glass tomb in the church of St. Rocco in Venice, Italy. St. Rocco is remembered on August 16th of each year.

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