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August 21, 2007 Feast of St. Rocco
Italian immigants from Potenza, Italy celebrate the Saint Rocco's day feast at the Potenza Lodge in Denver, Colorado. Rocco is the
patron saint of Potenza, Italy. Saint Rocco's procession is the Saint featured in the movie "The Godfather - Part II".
Saint Rocco was born of noble parentage about 1340 A.D. in Montpellier, France. At birth it was noted that he had a red
cross-shaped birthmark on the left side of his chest. As a young child, San Rocco showed great devotion to God and the Blessed
mother. At an early age, his parents died leaving him an orphan under the care of his uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. Soon after, San
Rocco distributed his wealth among the poor and took a vow of poverty.
San Rocco dressed in the clothes of a pilgrim and departed for Rome. At that time, Italy was stricken with a rampant disease. San
Rocco cured many of this dreaded disease by praying for them and making the sign of the cross.
During his travels, he too contracted the plague, which was evident by an open sore on his leg. Rocco was banished from the city
and took refuge in a cave. There he slept on leaves and drank water from a small stream. Miraculously a dog that refused to eat,
faithfully brought him bread as a means of sustenance. The dog used to leave a nearby castle and the Lord of this castle having a
curious nature followed this dog into the woods and discovered Rocco. The nobleman had pity on Rocco and brought him to his
castle where Rocco was cured.
San Rocco traveled through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his birthplace in France. So weak and sick
from suffering, the townspeople did not recognize him and he was thrown into jail as a spy without any proof. But yet he was kept in
prison for five years. On August 16, 1378, a guard entered his cell and found San Rocco near death. The dungeon was illuminated
with a blue light radiating from his body. Upon hearing this, the Governor demanded to know San Rocco's identity. San Rocco faintly
replied, I am your nephew Rocco. Only one thing could prove that, so he had him disrobed and the red cross-like mark was visible
on the left side of his chest. The Governor and the townspeople present in the cell then believed. A voice from paradise was heard
announcing that San Rocco's soul had merited immortal glory in Heaven. Even after his death, San Rocco performed many miracles.
Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The statue
of Saint Rocco is considered unique among theologians because of his pose. It is most unusual because it depicts him with his left
hand pointing to an open sore on his left leg. Few images of saints expose any afflictions or handicaps. His body is enclosed in a
glass tomb in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy. The death of this great follower of Christ is commemorated on August 16th of
each year (or the nearest Sunday to that). (All info found on the www.)
I have attended between twenty and twenty five of these celebrations over the last 35 years, but seldom did I take a camera with me. I
have no explanation for that. Besides the traditional procession carrying the statue of St. Rocco, there is talking, eating, playing
games at various booths, eating, drinking, talking and eating. It is enormous fun.
Italian immigants from Potenza, Italy celebrate the Saint Rocco's day feast at the Potenza Lodge in Denver, Colorado. Rocco is the
patron saint of Potenza, Italy. Saint Rocco's procession is the Saint featured in the movie "The Godfather - Part II".
Saint Rocco was born of noble parentage about 1340 A.D. in Montpellier, France. At birth it was noted that he had a red
cross-shaped birthmark on the left side of his chest. As a young child, San Rocco showed great devotion to God and the Blessed
mother. At an early age, his parents died leaving him an orphan under the care of his uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. Soon after, San
Rocco distributed his wealth among the poor and took a vow of poverty.
San Rocco dressed in the clothes of a pilgrim and departed for Rome. At that time, Italy was stricken with a rampant disease. San
Rocco cured many of this dreaded disease by praying for them and making the sign of the cross.
During his travels, he too contracted the plague, which was evident by an open sore on his leg. Rocco was banished from the city
and took refuge in a cave. There he slept on leaves and drank water from a small stream. Miraculously a dog that refused to eat,
faithfully brought him bread as a means of sustenance. The dog used to leave a nearby castle and the Lord of this castle having a
curious nature followed this dog into the woods and discovered Rocco. The nobleman had pity on Rocco and brought him to his
castle where Rocco was cured.
San Rocco traveled through northern Italy for two or three more years before returning to his birthplace in France. So weak and sick
from suffering, the townspeople did not recognize him and he was thrown into jail as a spy without any proof. But yet he was kept in
prison for five years. On August 16, 1378, a guard entered his cell and found San Rocco near death. The dungeon was illuminated
with a blue light radiating from his body. Upon hearing this, the Governor demanded to know San Rocco's identity. San Rocco faintly
replied, I am your nephew Rocco. Only one thing could prove that, so he had him disrobed and the red cross-like mark was visible
on the left side of his chest. The Governor and the townspeople present in the cell then believed. A voice from paradise was heard
announcing that San Rocco's soul had merited immortal glory in Heaven. Even after his death, San Rocco performed many miracles.
Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. The statue
of Saint Rocco is considered unique among theologians because of his pose. It is most unusual because it depicts him with his left
hand pointing to an open sore on his left leg. Few images of saints expose any afflictions or handicaps. His body is enclosed in a
glass tomb in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy. The death of this great follower of Christ is commemorated on August 16th of
each year (or the nearest Sunday to that). (All info found on the www.)
I have attended between twenty and twenty five of these celebrations over the last 35 years, but seldom did I take a camera with me. I
have no explanation for that. Besides the traditional procession carrying the statue of St. Rocco, there is talking, eating, playing
games at various booths, eating, drinking, talking and eating. It is enormous fun.
| August 25, 2007 Miss South Carolina Was So Robbed Kids? You must stay in school, no matter how good you look...and here is why. From the Miss Teen USA pageant, Miss Lauren Caitlin from South Carolina: Miss South Carolina off the top of her head Alas, Miss Colorado stole the crown. There were no awards for the teens who most successfully look like they are in their thirties. I hope no one told them that once they make it to their thirties, they will then spend all their time trying to look like they are seventeen again. Now get ready for the real news...on the heels of her sterling interview shown above, Miss South Carolina was the third runner up. Apparently looks are more important than smarts. Who would have believed it? If Miss Teen USA and the First Runner Up and the Second Runner Up are caught in racy photos while downing naked body shots off of each others' pierced belly buttons in the next year, Miss South Carolina...you are up. Maybe. Mr. Trump will let you know. |
