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| Ora pro nobis, San Rocco The San Rocco Society of Potenza statue at Most Precious Blood Church in Little Italy, New York |
Dear Confratelli and Consorelle,
The following is an invitation from the Vatican:
The Vatican is calling for a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday, March 11, in order to invoke divine help and intervention against the coronavirus in Rome, Italy, and the world, announced Cardinal De Donatis on March 6, 2020.
Response from the United States Delegation of the Order:
In this spirit, the Leadership of the United States Delegation is inviting members of the Order to participate in a Novena of prayer to St. Rocco, who has been venerated for centuries by the faithful as the holy protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The Novena to St. Rocco is to begin Wednesday, March 11, and continue through Thursday, March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. Each member is asked to make the commitment of reciting devoutly the Novena Prayer below. Along with this prayer, one might also freely choose to offer up additionally a small sacrifice, an act of charity, or a good deed for this urgent intention.
Who is St. Rocco?
After distributing all of his nobleman goods to the poor, St. Rocco traveled humbly throughout 14th century Italy as a pilgrim. From Aquapendente to Censena, from Modena to Parma, and finally in Rome itself, St. Rocco devoted himself with heroic charity to victims of the plague, curing them with prayer and the sign of the cross. During his travels, he too contracted the plague which was evident by an open sore on his leg. After many sufferings and much patience, St. Rocco was eventually cured, only then to be falsely accused as a spy. After several years of imprisonment, he died a holy death which edified many.
An Italian Tradition for the Good of Body and Soul:
From shortly after his death in the mid-14th century until the present day, the Southern Italian people have time and time again offered prayers and processions with the relics of St. Rocco, invoking his powerful intercession for good health and protection against cholera epidemics and all types of contagious diseases. Born of a true spirit of Faith and Charity, this pious practice of our Italian ancestors which has been proven to be so effective for the good of society and for the edification of souls should be promoted and spread. May this devout custom of invoking St. Rocco preserve us all from the coronavirus contagion while obtaining for us the grace we need to this Lent to grow in virtue and holiness in our homes and families, in our workplaces, and in our world.
Novena Prayer to Saint Rocco to be recited by Members of the Order from March 11-19, 2020:
O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God; through thy intercession, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues. St. Rocco, pray for us (say three times)
Optional Latin version:
RESPONSORIO A SAN ROCCO
Ave, Roche Santissime
Qui nobili natus sanguine
Crucis signaris schemate
Sinistro tuo latere.
Numinis in praesentia
Nostra nunc serva corpora
Et crucis per praesidia
A peste oppidum libera.
Roche, peregre profectus
Pestifere mortis ictus
Curavisti mirifice
Tangendo salutifere.
Vale, Roche qui angelice
Vocis citatus flamine
Obtinuiste deifice
A cunctis pestem pellere.
Sit Christe Rex piissime
Tibi Patrique gloria
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Et nunc et in perpetuum.
V. Ora pro nobis, beate Roche. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
OREMUS
Populum tuum, quaesumus Domine, continua pietate custodi, et beati Rochi suffragantibus meritis, ab omni fac animae et corporis contagione securum. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
IHSV
