PRAYERS TO ST. ROCH & ST. SEBASTIAN - PATRON SAINTS OF PLAGUES

SAINT ROCH

Born at Montpellier around 1295; died 1327. At his birth St. Roch is said to have been found miraculously marked on the breast with a red cross. Deprived of his parents when about 20 yrs. old, he distributed his fortune among the poor, handed over to his uncle the government of Montpellier, and in the disguise of a mendicant pilgrim, set out for Italy, but stopped at Aguapendente, which was stricken by the plague, and devoted himself to the plague-stricken, curing them with the sign of the Cross. He next visited Cesena and other neighboring cities and then Rome. Everywhere, the terrible scourge disappeared before his miraculous power. At Piacenza, he himself was stricken with the plague. He withdrew to a hut in the neighboring forest. After his recovery Roch returned to France. Arriving at Montpellier and refusing to disclose his identity, he was taken for a spy in the disguise of a pilgrim, and cast into prison by order of the governor---his own uncle, some writers say---where five years later he died. The miraculous cross on his breast as well as a document found in his possession now served for his identification. He was accordingly given a public funeral, and numerous miracles attested to his sanctity.  In 1414, the plague having broken out in that city, the Fathers of the Council ordered public prayers and processions in honor of St. Roch, and immediately the plague ceased.

PRAYER TO SAINT ROCH

O Blessed Saint Roch, patron of the sick, have pity on those who lie upon a bed of suffering. Your power was so great when you were in this world, that by the sign of the Cross, many were healed of their diseases. Now that you are in heaven, your power is not less. Offer, then, to God our sighs and tears and obtain for us that health we seek, through Christ our Lord. Amen

(Repeat the following 3 times}

Saint Roch, pray for us, that we may be preserved from all diseases of body and soul.

SAINT SEBASTIAN

He converted to Christianity after seeing the bravery of Christian martyrs and eventually compelled close companions to convert, including a Roman prefect who was cured of a plague when he renounced his pagan idols. Because his intercession to God contributed to the cure of the Roman prefect, Sebastian became widely associated with the cure of plagues. Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and cultural hub of Europe, relied on St. Sebastian’s intercession after the city’s bishop constructed an altar in Sebastian’s honor as a last resort to stopping the plague known as the Black Death. Shortly there-after, the plague ceased, and the bishop built a church dedicated to Saint Sebastian in thanksgiving for his intercession.

PRAYER TO ST. SEBASTIAN

Glorious St. Sebastian, you who had great courage, help us to be witnesses of Jesus before this unbelieving world, as you who have brought others to Christ. Help us to have the love of neighbor that you had and to give our lives for our brothers and sisters, even in difficulties and dangers. Help us to have faith during the pains of life, as you yourself who endured cruel martyrdom. Protect all soldiers, military and police against every danger in their work. Protect all nations against wars, hunger, and plagues. Intercede for the grace that I need (mention here). Amen.