Arts & Culture Community

Honoring San Rocco in Boston’s North End

The San Rocco Society held a Mass and luncheon at St. Leonard Church on Sunday, July 21st to honor their patron saint. The statue was on display at the newly renovated church hall, but the annual procession was cancelled due to the heat emergency.

Officers of the San Rocco Society, (L-R), Joe (Vice Pres.), Giovanni (President), Alex (Treasurer) and Nick (Secretary)

The Story of Saint Rocco – Saint Rocco was born into an aristocratic French family. He turned away from his worldly inheritance and status, giving all of his possessions to the poor and the sick. He traveled plague stricken Europe caring for the sick miraculously curing those he encountered. Saint Rocco escaped death from starvation and plague by eating food brought to him by a dog.

The Statue of San Rocco on display in the newly renovated Saint Leonard Church Hall. (Photo by Anthony Boyd)

San Nicola Baronia, a small town in Italy, adopted this Holy Man as their patron saint. Immigrants from this town established a Society dedicated to his works in Boston in 1921. The Society of San Rocco of San Nicola Baronia annually celebrates a festival in his honor and strives throughout the year to perform charitable works.

View upcoming processions and feasts in Boston’s North End.