He didn’t die. A dog from a nearby estate found him and brought him bread every day, and licked his wounds, until he recovered. That’s why St Rocco is always painted with a dog at his side and a sore on his leg. Italian-American communities still hold festivals in his honour every August, and many people pray to him for their pets.
Historical Context
The details of his life are mostly legend, but devotion to him spread fast after his death. During outbreaks of plague in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, cities across Europe built churches in his name. In Venice, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco holds his relics and dozens of paintings by Tintoretto.
A Prayer to St Rocco for Healing
St Rocco, you cared for the sick without fear,
and you knew what it was to suffer alone.
Pray for me (or name the person) in this illness.
Ask God to heal us, to give strength to those who care for us,
and to protect our families and communities from disease.
Amen.
A Prayer for Dogs
St Rocco, a dog kept you alive when you were alone.
Watch over my dog.
Keep them healthy and safe,
and thank God for me for the faithful love they give.
Amen.
In Times of Epidemic
Lord, through the prayers of St Rocco,
protect us from contagious illness.
Bless doctors, nurses and caregivers,
and comfort those who are sick and isolated.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 16 August, St Rocco’s feast.
- During an illness or outbreak.
- When your dog is sick or injured.
- At an Italian feast in his honour.
Scripture Connection
“I was sick, and ye visited me.” — Matthew 25:36
Rocco took these words literally, staying with the sick when others fled. The legend of the dog adds a gentle twist: the one who cared for others was cared for by a creature.
Related prayers
For dogs, see the Dog Prayer and Dog’s Bedtime Prayer. For St Rocco in the Spanish and Filipino tradition, the San Roque Prayer. For healing, the St Lazarus Prayer.