CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter J. Jugis is encouraging the people of the Diocese of Charlotte to pray for the intercession of St. Roch and St. Rosalie to 
end the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Most public Masses and all parish activities have been cancelled across western North Carolina, and all 19 diocesan schools have been closed, as part of the community’s response to the public health threat.
During a special videotaped Mass offered March 15, Bishop Jugis encouraged the faithful to pray to St. Roch and St. Rosalie to “deliver us from the current attack and subsequent suffering we are enduring from the coronavirus.”
St. Roch, who is believed to have been born in France and lived in Italy in the 1300s, cared for the victims of the plague in Italy. He contracted the plague but survived and many healings were attributed to him.He is the patron saint of invalids. His feast day is Aug. 16.
St. Rosalie was born in Sicily and lived during the mid-1100s. In her youth she left her home and lived in a cave, giving her life to God. She died alone in a cave near Palermo in 1166.
In 1624 a plague hit Palermo and St. Rosalie appeared to a sick woman and a hunter and instructed him to the place where her body was buried.
St. Rosalie told him to have her bones processed around the city three times to end the plague. The plague ceased and her feast day is celebrated Sept. 4.
The following prayer to the two saints is suggested:
“Merciful Father, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, St. Roch, and St. Rosalie, deliver us from the current attack and subsequent suffering we are enduring from the coronavirus. May we seek to assist those in need in body or spirit and ourselves turn away from sin and trust in You. We ask this in the name of the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ Our Lord.”
— Catholic News Herald. CatholicOnline contributed.
Related:
Bishop Jugis: ‘May the gift of the Holy Spirit be with us’ through these difficult times
Most public Masses cancelled; diocesan schools suspend classes
Sunday Mass obligation waived for Catholics of the diocese
Events canceled in response to N.C. coronavirus outbreak