Happy Fiesta San Roque !

San Roque(Saint Roch)

San Roque or Saint Roch, known as Rocco in Italy and Roque in Spain is patron saint of the sick and invalids

Roch was born around 1295 from the rich family of the Governor John and his wife Libera in Montpellier, France. Tradition says that Roch had a birthmark with a red cross on his chest. His father died when he was 12 and his mother died when he was 20. He joined the Franciscan order soon after that and distributed his fortune among the poor and handed the government of Montpellier to his uncle.

Roch then set out for Italy as a mendicant pilgrim at stopped along the way to care for the victims of the plague that was ravaging Italy at that time. At Piacenza Roch fell to but recovered and was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing everywhere he went.

One tradition says that after his recovery, Roch returned to Montepellier, France. He was arrested and accused as a spy dressed as a pilgrim and sent to prison by his uncle who did not recognize him.

He died in prison five years later. It was only when they found the cross on his breast as well as a document found in his possession that they found he was the son of the previous governor (and nephew of the new governor). When the plague broke out in the city, the Fathers of the Council of Constance ordered prayers and processions in Roch’s honor, and the plague stopped.

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Malapit na po ang Fiesta samin (Aug.16,2009). Excited na ako kasi madami kami ginagawang activities pag dating ng August.. Nalungkot lang ako nung nag serve ako last week , Pag tingen ko sa pinag lalagyan ni San Roque , wala sya don . Inisip ko inayos lang sya kasi malapit nayung Fiesta. Nag tanong ako kung bakit wala . Sabi may kumuha daw ng dalawang kamay ni San Roque, napa-isip ako kung sino kaya ang kumuha at kung bakit nya kinuha yon .. Mga 3 araw din ata walang laman yung pinaglalagyan nya.. Pero ngayon meron na.Maliit nalang ito , di katulad ng nasa picture.( pero ok lang at least meron). Pero nag tataka talaga ako pano nakuha yon' at ano ang intensyon ng kumuha nun . Ngayon wala ako magawa kundi magdasal at ipagdasal yung kumuha na kung pwede ibalik. Nakakalungkot talaga, kung kelan malapit ang Fiesta tsaka pa may kumuha.

Sana maibalik na sya sa pinaglalagyan nya. Kasi marami na humahanap sa kanya .. Marami pumupuntang may karamdaman sa kanya para mag dasal..

San Roque, Pray for us !

The Five Fingers Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.