Saints for Our Times: Sts. Roch and Sebastian, pray for us during this pandemic

By Mary Lou Gibson | Columnist

It was in the latter half of the 14th century that Europe was devastated by a plague that later came to be known as the Black Death. There are many legends and stories of how people were affected by this illness. Roch, also known as Rocco and Rock, was a hermit around whom many of these legends developed. He was born in Montpellier, France, in about 1350 into a wealthy family. His father was the governor.
When he was about 20, he lost his parents and soon afterwards gave away his fortune to the poor and handed over to his uncle the government of Montpellier. He set out for Rome dressed as a mendicant pilgrim. When he stopped at Aquapendente, which was stricken by the plague, he devoted himself to the sick. An account in the “Catholic Encyclopedia” states he cured plague-stricken people with the Sign of the Cross.
Everywhere he traveled, the terrible scourge disappeared before his miraculous power. Editor Michael Walsh writes in “Butler’s Lives of Patron Saints” that it was at Piacenza that Roch became infected. He did not wish to be a burden on any hospital, so he dragged himself into the woods to die.
Legend says he was miraculously fed there by a dog who kept taking bread off his master’s table and running away with it. The master became curious as to where the dog went, so he followed the animal, found Roch and looked after him.
Roch was a little over 30 when he returned to his native country. Omer Englebert writes in “Lives of the Saints” that his sufferings had disfigured him so much that his surviving uncle did not recognize him. Some biographers state he was taken for a spy in the disguise of a pilgrim and imprisoned for five years by order of his uncle, the governor.
After he died in prison, he was identified as the former governor’s son by a birth mark in the form of a cross on his chest and a document found in his possession. In “The Book of Saints” editor Dom Basil Watkins writes that this account of his death is alleged and probably not true.
David Farmer writing in “The Oxford Dictionary of Saints” cites another tradition that Roch died at Angleria in Lombardy where he had been imprisoned as a suspect spy. Numerous miracles were claimed there at his tomb.
The “Catholic Encyclopedia” reports it was during the Council of Constance in 1414 that a plague broke out in that city and the Fathers of the Council ordered public prayers and processions in honor of St. Roch. Immediately the plague ceased.
St. Roch’s intercession was again invoked when a plague struck Germany in the 15th century. St. Roch is invoked in all countries against contagious diseases of men and animals, Englebert wrote. His feast day is Aug. 17.
Sebastian was a professional soldier who served as captain in the Praetorian Guard in Rome to protect Emperor Diocletian in about 283. He was born at Narbonne in Gaul, though his parents had come from Milan. While serving as a guard, Sebastian met twin brothers, Marcus and Marcellian, who were imprisoned for refusing to make public sacrifices to the Roman gods.
Sebastian was a secret Christian and shared his faith in Jesus’ teachings with those he met. He encouraged Marcus and Marcellian to remain firm in their faith. Tom Cowan writes in “The Way of the Saints” that Sebastian converted many but eventually was discovered by Roman authorities. He was captured and sentenced to be executed by Roman archers.
Diocletian ordered Sebastian to be killed by having him tied to a stake on a training field and used as target practice, according to www.catholic.org. Archers riddled his body with arrows and he was left for dead. A holy woman discovered him still living and nursed him back to health.
Sebastian later confronted Diocletian and rebuked him for his persecution of Christians. The surprised emperor ordered Sebastian to be beaten to death. Richard McBrien writes in “Lives of the Saints” that he was buried on the Appian Way close to the site of where a basilica was erected in his honor, possibly by emperor Constantine. He is appealed to as protection against plague.

Catholic.org states Sebastian defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague is thought to be because he survived being shot full of arrows. In pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above. His feast day is Jan. 20 in the West.
Mary Lou Gibson is a freelance writer and a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin.