Having heard that in Montpellier, a terrible epidemic had appeared, he did not leave Born with rich parents, San Roque first saw the light of day in 1295 in the City of Montpellier, France. San Roque inherited from his parents all the properties, but being a good friend of the poor, he distributed all his inheritance to the needy. Clothed like a beggar, He started for Rome. On his journey, he foll
owed the way through Tuscany, a region that was being afflicted by a terrible epidemic. There he was force to stay till the plague was stopped. He helped and administered the sick, nursing and curing them. After this, He continued his journey to Rome and remained there for three years. He prayed at the tombs of the great Apostle, Peter and Paul, visited the churches and sanctuaries, and the sick in the hospital of the city. Having heard in Piancenza a terrible epidemic had appeared, He immediately went there to help the poor and afflicted victims. Here, he became sick, and the people, seeing that he himself had become a victim of the plague, did not permit him to enter any hospital. Seeing this black in gratitude of the people, he fled to the wilderness. There, he lived in a poor hut, and subsisting on no other thing than water which flowed from a nearby spring and some bread provided not by human hands. God, in his heavenly goodness, sent a dog to San Roque daily that bought him bread and licked his wounds. This dog is owned by a rich man in the city. The rich man much surprised about the behavior of the dog, which ran away with a loaf every day. One day, he followed his dog and found out where the dog brought the bread. He was deeply pitied at the sight of San Roque. He took him to this home, nursed and healed him. By God’s grace, San Roque was cured, and thus able to return home to France. Montpellier anymore and the people took him for spy of their enemies. He was, therefore brought to court. But even if this man did know and recognize San Roque; sentenced him to the cast into prison without giving him any chance to explain his case. Suffering many hardships and trials in prison, he remained there, patient and resigned to the will of God. San Roque was called by God after five years of imprisonment to this eternal reward in 1327. He was still in the bloom of manhood, being only thirty-two years old at the time of his death. Not long after his death, this holy servant of God showed the people the heavenly power which Almighty God had granted. Through many miracles, healing and curing of the sick were wrought. From that time, people of all cities, towns and villages have implored his help in time of sickness and tribulation. San Roque is the Patron of the sick. Let us, therefore, invoke his help, never abandon his clients and devotees, and always come to their aid. The feast of Senor San Roque is celebrated in San Fernando District on every third Saturday of the month of August.
