Rocco

Rocco is an Italian name of Germanic origin derived from “hrok” meaning "rest". The name was borne by a famous early 14th century French saint, Saint Roch, or Rocco as he came to be known. Born to a barren mother who prayed to the Virgin Mary for a child, Rocco was holy from the start. In fact, it is said that he was born with a birthmark on his chest in the form of a red cross (which apparently grew larger as he grew older). Orphaned at 20, the devout Rocco distributed all of his earthly possessions among the poor and went on a pilgrimage to Rome where he ended up caring for the sick struck down by the Plague as it ravaged throughout Italy. It was said that he produced miraculous cures and recoveries through prayer and with the touch of his healing hand. Eventually he contracted the Plague himself, was expelled from the community, and retreated to the forest (where a nobleman and his dog tended to him). Eventually Rocco was arrested as a spy in Montpellier (his birthplace) on the orders of his own uncle (who didn’t recognize him). Nor did Rocco reveal who he was to save himself, so he died in prison a few years after his arrest. After his death, Rocco’s identity was divulged by virtue of his aforementioned birthmark; he was immediately venerated as a martyred saint. His cult grew in Italy in particular (given his dedication to the sick there) which is how this Germanic name became more identifiable as Italian. The popularity of his cult spread throughout Europe quickly in light of the Black Death (mid-14th century) and the need to call upon protective saints who purportedly cured the invalids and dying. As a result of this legend, Saint Rocco is considered the patron saint of the sick and plague-stricken. It’s interesting that the name comes from a word meaning "rest"; but perhaps that’s precisely what St. Rocco gave to his patients in their time of great suffering.