Saint Roch - French School 18th century

Sculpted in wood

Saint Roch is especially invoked against the plague. He is the patron saint of dogs, invalids, falsely accused people and bachelors.
Roch was born in Montpellier, as the son of a noble governor. His birth was accounted a miracle, for his noble mother had been barren until she prayed to the Virgin Mary. Miraculously marked from birth with a red cross on his breath, he began to manifest strict asceticism and great devoutness. Coming into Italy during an epidemic of plague, he was very diligent in tending the sick in the public hospitals at Acquapendente, Cesena, Rimini, Novara, and Rome, and is said to have effected many miraculous cures by prayer and the sign of the cross and the touch of his hand.