The bells starting ringing early this morning to mark the start of the annual San Rocco Festa
SO who was St. Rocco ?
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. Here 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.
Le campane. Ad annunciare a tutti il giorno di festa e le funzioni religiose imminenti il suono delle campane della chiesina di San Rocco. Risalgono agli anni ’50 del secolo scorso e da stamattina vengono suonate come uno strumento delicato dai campanari di Barga che sottolineano con la loro opera tutti gli avvenimenti religiosi barghigiani. Toccheggiate e veri e propri doppi stamani si sono susseguiti e si ripeteranno anche oggi pomeriggio alle 17 per annunciare l’ultima Santa Messa.
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.
Alla fine del 1400 si hanno notizie di un oratorio chiamato Cappella S. Rocco in fondo al ponte di Porta di Borgo, sorto per onorare il santo protettore contro la peste dilagante. Nel 1630 si inizia a costruire la nuova chiesa di S. Rocco in un luogo vicino al precedente oratorio. Terminata nel 1639, un altare diverso o l’odierno accolse l’attuale tela raffigurante quattro personaggi: la Madonna col Bambino in alto, S. Rocco, S. Sebastiano e S. Antonio; i primi due santi sono protettori contro la peste, S. Antonio è il protettore degli animali domestici presenti in gran numero nell’allora giardino, dietro i santi sono raffigurati appestati derelitti. L’altare della Madonna di Pompei con un quadro si suppone sia del periodo dopo il 1700 periodo in cui si venerava la Madonna del Carmine. L’altare di S. Rocco che è vicino all’entrata della sacrestia in stile barocco è recente, in esso si conserva un’antica statua del santo.
