{"product_id":"saint-roch-medal-necklace","title":"Saint Roch Medal Necklace – Patron Saint of Dogs \u0026 the Sick","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaint Roch, Patron Saint of Dogs and the Sick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoch, known as Saint Roch in France and Saint Rocco in Italy, was born into a wealthy noble family in Montpellier, France, in the 14th century. When his parents died, he gave away his entire inheritance to the poor and set out on pilgrimage to Rome. Along the way, he found towns across Italy devastated by the Black Plague, and rather than continue on, he stayed to care for the sick, tending to victims in homes and hospitals others were too afraid to enter. He eventually contracted the plague himself. Fearing he'd infect anyone who found him, he withdrew alone into a forest to die. A stray hunting dog discovered him there, and rather than leave him, the dog began bringing him bread stolen from its owner's table and licking his wounds every day until they healed. Roch survived, largely credited to that dog's persistence, and went on to be venerated across Europe as a protector against plague and epidemic disease. He died in prison after being mistaken for a spy on his return home, still unrecognized by his own family. Processions and prayers in his name were credited with ending outbreaks of plague for centuries afterward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Gift For...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA dog owner, dog lover, or anyone who's been cared for by an animal in a hard season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSomeone working in healthcare, nursing, or infectious disease\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA person recovering from illness, or navigating a difficult diagnosis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who has felt falsely accused or misunderstood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA confirmation candidate drawn to quiet acts of mercy over public recognition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Saint Roch's Day gift on August 16, for any dog lover or caregiver in your life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Confirmation Gift for Roch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a confirmation candidate who loves animals, or who's drawn to a saint who kept showing up for the sick even at real personal cost, Roch is a natural fit. Engrave a name and confirmation date, and let his story, and his dog's, carry the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Saint Roch Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis medal depicts him as a pilgrim, staff and shell in hand, a dog carrying a loaf of bread at his side, his halo radiating outward. The natural gold or silver of the metal forms the illustration itself. Black ink is applied to the pendant surface and the metal shows through as the image. A shatterproof liquid glass coating seals the surface. The result has a depth and precision that printed medals don't achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePersonalization and Engraving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe optional engraving on the reverse is rendered in Tangerine cursive, two lines, up to 20 characters each. Many choose a name and a meaningful date, while others engrave a dog's name or simply \"loyal.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSaint Roch's feast day is August 16\u003c\/b\u003e, and in 1414, an entire city's plague outbreak was reportedly halted after public prayers and processions were held in his name, a saint whose story began with a dog's loyalty and ended up protecting whole towns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sanctum Medals","offers":[{"title":"Stainless Steel \/ No","offer_id":53580008030544,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stainless Steel \/ Yes","offer_id":53580008063312,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18k Gold Finish \/ No","offer_id":53580008096080,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18k Gold Finish \/ Yes","offer_id":53580008128848,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/7852\/6032\/files\/Saint-Roch-Medal-Gold-frontview.jpg?v=1789045021","url":"https:\/\/sanctummedals.com\/products\/saint-roch-medal-necklace","provider":"Sanctum Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}