00:00Today, August 16, the church celebrates Saint Roch, one of the most popular saints and invoked against epidemics.
00:10His story, marked by faith, courage and charity, has stood the test of time as a model of love for the weakest and the sick.
00:22Roch was born around 1348 in Montpellier, into a noble and deeply Christian family.
00:30Orphaned at a young age, he inherited a large fortune, but rather than live in luxury, he chose to strip himself of his possessions and go on a pilgrimage to Rome, dressed in a simple pilgrim's habit marked with a red cross on the chest.
00:49At that time, Europe was ravaged by the terrible Black Death.
00:55Everywhere he goes, Roch meets sick people condemned by doctors.
01:01Motivated by their faith and compassion, they stay with them, treat their wounds, bring them water and food and pray tirelessly.
01:11Wherever they go, many are miraculously healed.
01:15In turn, Roch contracts the plague.
01:20Rejected by the locals, he isolates himself in a forest to die alone.
01:25But a miracle happens.
01:28A dog comes every day to bring him bread and lick his wounds, speeding up his healing.
01:35This simple but providential gesture will make the dog a symbol associated with Saint Roch.
01:41Roch, cured, returns to Montpellier.
01:46But upon his arrival, he was arrested and accused of espionage, as he was unrecognizable after so many years.
01:53He spent the last five years of his life in prison, never revealing his identity,
02:00accepting injustice as a path to holiness.
02:03Saint-Roch died in prison around 1379.
02:10After his death, his true identity is discovered and the city recognizes the sanctity of the one it had rejected.
02:19Very quickly, he became one of the most venerated saints in Europe,
02:24invoked against the plague, cholera and all epidemics.
02:29Even today, many churches and villages bear his name.
02:36Processions are organized every August 16,
02:39where the faithful bless their pets in memory of the dog that saved Roch.
02:45His message remains relevant today.
02:47In a world where fear of disease and isolation still exists,
02:54He reminds us that charity and courage can triumph over fear.
02:59By invoking Saint Roch, we remember that loving and serving the most fragile,
03:05it is to bear witness to Christ.
03:09May his example inspire us to reach out to those who are suffering.
03:29from isolation is to bear witness to Christ.
03:35It is a hand to those who suffer.
03:37It is a hand to those who suffer.
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