CHURCH OF ST. ROCCO
18 Third Street,  Glen Cove, NY 11542
Information: (516) 676-2482

Short Life Story of St. Rocco
Patron Of The Sick

St. Rocco, son of John and Libera, was born in Monpelier, France, in 1295, with a tiny birthmark of a cross on his chest. His parents were very pious and devout Christians. As a teenager, he was very fond of the poor and ready to help them in any way he could. He studied Law in college and Theology in the University run by Franciscans.

When he was twenty years old, he lost his mother and father. Under God's Divine inspiration, he sold the rich possessions he inherited from his parents and gave up his inherited share of the care of the city affairs on behalf of his uncle. Clothed as a pilgrim, he set out to fulfill his earnest desire to visit the Holy Land and Rome and to relive on the spot the faith of early Christians. He crossed the Alps and journeyed south towards Rome, where the pestilence (the black plague that originated in the East, China, India and the Middle East) broke out. Full of love and Christian charity, he stopped his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and dedicated himself completely to the care of the sick in hospitals, streets, homes, and everywhere. According to tradition, an angel dictated to St. Rocco the formula against the demon of pestilence, to be used to bless the stricken people. "May God destroy you and may He expel you from the house (the sick person) which you now possess, and erase you from the face of the earth, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit". St. Rocco, tracing the sign of the cross on their forehead, blessed them, and all were cured, even the charitable Cardinal D'Anglera in Rome.

The pestilence continued to spread northward, so St. Rocco followed the plague, curing and healing everyone who had faith, and were blessed with the sign of the cross. St. Rocco was called the fierce enemy of the pestilence. At the end, he too was stricken by the disease. Not to bother anyone, he withdrew to the woods, preparing himself to die. But the Lord he had served faithfully all his life didn't leave St. Rocco alone to die. He sent a little dog who daily took a piece of bread from his master's table and took it to St. Rocco to eat, and licked his wounds. The dog's master followed it on one occasion, found Rocco, and cared for him until recovered. When he recovered, St. Rocco, inspired by god, returned to his native country and city.

He didn't want to be recognized, so he kept his pilgrim clothing on. But the city was engaged in war, and Rocco, whom no one recognized, was taken for a spy and thrown into prison. He suffered in prison for five long years. Very often, he was visited by angels and his cell was illuminated by the angel's presence. He prayed the Good Lord to let him die in prison and not be recognized before he died. His wish was fulfilled. When he was about to die, angels appeared by his side and the cell was filled with heavenly light. The warden called the authorities, but before they came, St. Rocco's blessed soul left this world in the company of angels. His uncle, who was the city judge, and his aunt, recognized him when they saw the little cross birthmark on his chest.

Very often, Europe was infected with epidemics and pestilences, and St. Rocco became the patron saint of all the victims of these diseases and his devotion spread all over... even in this country. He was about the same age as Christ when he died. Young as he was, he was a great saint and still is for all of us, especially for our parish which is dedicated to him.

by
the late Rev. Eliglio Della Rosa
Pastor 1973 - 1991