“Are you a dog person or a cat person?” Not to get too philosophical on you, but this is one of the fundamental questions of human existence. A question that, had the Supreme Executive Committee in its infinite wisdom chosen the other Saint Gertrude (“of Nivelles” rather than “the Great”), could have perhaps been decided once and for all. You see today Roch, the patron saint of dogs, takes on Gertrude, the patron saint of…not cats but…the West Indies. Alas.
Of course, there are other criteria on which to base your decision as you seek to choose between a 14th century Frenchman and a 13th century German woman. Like whether you prefer cabernet to beer or croissants to pretzels. But enough of these European stereotypes!
Yesterday, in the most lopsided battle of the year, Joseph trounced Christina Rossetti, sending her into her personal “bleak midwinter,” 79% to 21%. He’ll face Absalom Jones in the Saintly Sixteen.
This is the last battle of the first full week of Lent Madness 2016. Save your voting energy, folks, and we’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning as Columba takes on Kateri Tekakwitha.
Roch
Roch (Rock in English) is known as the patron saint of dogs, falsely accused people, and plagues. Many legends surround the saint, who was born in 1350 in Montpellier, France, to a rich merchant family. According to one legend, God touched Roch at birth, leaving the mark of a red cross on his breast. Rejecting his father’s directive to become a governor of their town following his father’s death, Roch instead sold his possessions and began a pilgrimage to Italy. During his journey, he passed through a town stricken by the plague. Roch miraculously cured the inhabitants with touch and the sign of the cross. Unfortunately, he was unable to prevent himself from contracting the plague, and stories say he fled to the wilderness to die.
As Roch was lying in pain, a dog appeared to him in a clearing. The dog began licking his sores and nurturing him to health. A water source sprang up beside him. Popular iconography of Roch shows him afflicted with sores and a dog by his side.
When Roch healed, he returned home. Unfortunately, his uncle, the governor, did not recognize him and threw Roch in prison as a spy. For five years, Roch lived in the prison without revealing his identity. It was not until he died that people recognized him by the cross-shaped birthmark on his breast. Following his death, the people of the village wept and gnashed their teeth in loss and regret, and a group of followers of Roch sprang up in Montpellier. Seeing the popularity of Roch, the Roman Church built the Church of San Rocco in Venice and entombed his remains.
Collect for Roch
Merciful Jesus, you know our deepest sorrows and aches and offer us comfort through your love and companionship. Thank you for the ministry and miracles of your loyal servant, Roch, who sought to comfort the sick and infirm for the sake of your love. Create in us hearts full of compassion and love that we would be agents of your healing and love in a broken world. Amen.
Gertrude
Gertrude the Great (sometimes called Saint Gertrude of Helfta) was a late thirteenth-century German Benedictine nun, mystic, theologian, and writer.
Little is known of Gertrude’s early life except that she was born in 1256. She entered school at the monastery of St. Mary at Helfta at the young age of four. While some speculate that her parents offered her to the Church as a child oblate (a person dedicated to a life in God’s service), another theory is that she was an orphan. In the monastery school, Gertrude was under the care of Saint Mechtilde, the younger sister of the monastery’s abbess, Gertrude of Hackeborn.
Gertrude joined the monastic community in 1266. Her later writing shows that she was well educated in rhetoric and Latin. Gertrude began to experience visions at the age of twenty-five. She shifted her study from the secular to focus on scripture and theology and devoted herself to a life of prayer and meditation. Wanting to share her experiences and dedication to God, Gertrude began writing spiritual treatises for her monastic sisters and became a spiritual counselor to whom people flocked for advice.
Gertrude produced numerous writings, although only a few survive today. The longest piece still in existence is The Herald of Divine Love. Partly written by Gertrude and partly written by other nuns, The Herald is composed of five books. Book Two, written by Gertrude, forms the core of the work. It includes vivid descriptions of Gertrude’s visions, including details on the veneration of Christ’s heart.
Gertrude died at Helfta, near Eisleben, Saxony (Germany) around 1302. While Gertrude is now regarded as one of the great mystics of the thirteenth century, she was not broadly remembered after her death until the Latin edition of her work was published in 1536.
Collect for Gertrude
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit gives to one the word of knowledge, and to another the insight of wisdom, and to another the steadfastness of faith. We praise you for the gifts of grace imparted to your servant Gertrude, and we pray that by her teaching we may be led to a fuller knowledge of the truth we have seen in your Son Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Roch vs. Gertrude
- Roch (53%, 3,640 Votes)
- Gertrude (47%, 3,212 Votes)
Total Voters: 6,852
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I voted Gertrude because she went to the church when she was four.
You are right, Oliver, that shows a lot of dedication to God’s service. I voted for Roch though because he healed the sick. .
I voted for the dog lover.
Dog lover sealed it for me…:-)
Me, too
Me too!
As a geology major way back when, I couldn’t not vote for a saint named Roche/Rock – however my cat may never forgive me.
I love that a dog was by his side. Gotta go for the dog lover.
I don’t understand why the DOG isnt a saint! Without the days g Roch would not have been around to do all he did!,, Also, I think we should name this poor dog…..wonder what the most common dog name was at that time?
Oliver, Susie here- I voted for Roch.
So many are suffering inside and out. Roch showed great mercy in a time of great fear. I love a good mystic, but I Roch the vote. Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun.
Oliver-My students and I love to read your comments each day. We are a 5th grade class in Louisiana.
Very good thinking Oliver, but I voted for Rich because he helped heal the sick.
i voted for rich because he took care of people
i voted
i voted because i can
because i can
I also voted for Gertrude. By writing books, she left something for us to use even today! That was very thoughtful of her.
Oliver, I too voted for Gertrude. Although the post doesn’t say this, the Benedictine order is one of service and I’m sure she must have also spent time teaching.
I also voted for Gertrude. I was moved by the story of Roch and I am a dog lover, but I spent some retreat time at a Benedictine monastery called St. Gertrude’s and the story of Gertrude is so much reflected in the ministry of the nuns at that monastery, that I had to vote for Gertrude.
The nuns at St. Gertrude’s are primarily teachers and nurses, but the ministry of the monastery in spiritual direction and retreat offerings is certainly a reflection of St. Gertrude’s ministry.
Once again, I’m right with you, Oliver. And I also voted for Gertrude because one of the women who taught me in high school was named Sister Gertrude and she was super-smart.
Gertrude also was very pretty – in the picture her soul shines through. She focused on the spiritual gifts rather than regretting all she missed while in the community. No Cinderella dreams for her! Come on late owls – vote Gertrude!
Why isn’t the faithful companion, Roch’s dog, the saint? Dogs are loyal to the end, living to please and serve their masters. Now, obedience is another matter…
Some readers may recognizes St. Roch by the Italian form of his name, Rocco, or Spanish form, Roque.
Thank you so very much for “translating” his name. There is a church in my neighborhood, San Roque, with a statue of a man with a large dog over the entrance. I had no idea who it was. So nice to know now. Thank you!
Dogs, thanks. My daughters are cat people, I am a dog guy.
Without, at the moment. I enjoy other people’s dogs. I also enjoy other people’s wisdom
from their religion’s heritage. Be a Christian in a room of Jewish scholars. Fun!
2 years ago we ambled by St Roch’s church in Venice and did not get the plague our entire trip, I mean pilgrimage, to Italy! Glory be and Roch on!
WHERE IS THE LIKE BUTTON for this post!
apparently you found it
St Roch is big in New Orleans, too – and they definitely know how to Roch!
People wept and gnashed there teeth. I like teeth gnashing. I voted for Roch.
Roch – you had me at patron of dogs AND bad knees ( in addition to plague victims, falsely accused etc).
I voted for Roch as well, but I’m wondering why they didn’t canonize his dog???
Yes, Rosie! The dog needs canonization!
Yes! Bio says nothing about his love for the dog, only mentions the dog caring for him!
Solidarity, Oliver! I voted for Gertrude, too. I love my dogs–definitely am a “dog person”–but the dogs licking his sores was just too much for me on an empty stomach. I’m going with bookish Gertrude. What an amazing woman!
I’m with you SusanLee and Oliver. I am moved by the image of a tiny girl being brought up where she had no riches or freedom to travel or make pilgrimages. And yet she must have been surrounded by love, since she grew up to love and serve the Lord and to have a powerful desire to communicate her knowledge and experience of God to others Ina way that might survive her. She was indeed an amazing woman.
Although I’m a cat person, I voted for Roch. I’m always a sucker for saints who give up wealth and status to follow God’s call.
Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?
You have posted the info on Gertrude of Helfta (aka the Great) NOT Gertrude of Nivelles who was 7th c and Belgian. Very different people from very different times.
Exactly. That’s what we said in the intro.
It was easy to miss the elegantly fronted “had” in the intro. For a neat secular equivalent, see this quatrain from the Earl of Rochester: “Whene’er those wounding eyes, so full. Of sweetness you did see,. Had you not been profoundly dull,. You had gone mad like me. “
Very true. I had to go back and re-read it twice before the elegance of the prose slapped me upside the head.
Sublime! A citation from John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester in a saintly debate!
I do think, though, that the construction with “had” isn’t so archaic that people shouldn’t be expected to understand it. It’s still heard now and then in contemporary speech.
(In the interest of full disclosure, there are those who consider me a tiresome pedant.)
So today, we shall not ponder our Nivelles.
Hahaha, Scott, that is priceless!! I will be chuckling all day with that. Thanks!
I laughed out loud at that one.
Definitely a laugh out loud comment – thanks be to God for clever wordplay!
Amen to that! Thank the Lord for wit and humor, without which life would
be much less worth living.
Amen!
Amen! I laughed too. Thank you Scott!
After completing 4 years of EFM I have lots of repeat for mystics and theologians. I voted for Gertrude.
As did I, Anne B. I’m a wandering mystic, myself, and have a spiritual sister/brotherhood with all others who contemplate the glory of God.
…and it was in an EfM class that I met a wonderful saint of God, also a wise and well-read teacher and beautiful example of lifelong Christian faith, who originally hailed from the West Indies. In memory of saint E.L. of Antigua, and in the hope Gertrude makes it through so Beth can explain the Caribbean connection – voting for Gertrude today!
Sorry, what be EFM?
EFM = Education for Ministry
A three year intensive theological educational program for lay persons
Ecumenical, though sponsored and administered by The Episcopal Church
http://efm.sewanee.edu/
Oops.
It is a four year program!
I have my students for four years.
I met my future wife at EFM.
And it is almost everywhere. We do it in Australia and even on line. Yay EfM!
EfM is Education for Ministry which was devised and is supported by The University of the South. It’s distance learning for laity and hard but wonderful way to spend four years with nary a test in sight.
You forgot to mention that Roch is a Third Order Franciscan. His feast day is August 17 on our calendar.
Oh man! Being a tertiary myself, now I feel guilty about not voting for him! But I’m a big fan of the women mystics, and Gertrude is a new one to me, so I voted for her. I’ll make it up to Roch on Aug 17th…
I didn’t know that! Glad for the information. Thanks!
Respect! Darn autocorrect.
Having just gotten through a week of Hand Foot and Mouth with a toddler..I feel called to vote for the patron saint of plagues
You have my deepest sympathy. I remember holding my daughter — now 17 and completely healthy — for almost a week as she drooled her way through Hand Foot Mouth. Ugh. Still, I voted for Gertrude. Roch seemed a bit odd, even for a saint.
Bless your heart!
Card carrying cat person here – proudly owned by two rescue cats. Dogs are great – I enjoy other people’s. I voted for Gertrude because she became educated and wrote down her experiences of Christ in a time when women were often illiterate.
Yes, yes! I, too, am a card carrying cat person. My 8 yr. old siamese and I rescued e each other last year.I love dogs, but cats are our purrfect. Gertrude accomplished an extraordinary amount of work through her own education, working with others, and her writings. Amazing for a woman who lived without benefit of word processors , microwaves, and electric lights, and in a time when women just didn’t do what she did. Go Gertrude!
I fear this will be a day of puns, but let me be the first: Rock on, Roch!
Went with San Roque because it was the name of my parish in El Salvador. It was the first I had ever heard of him. St. Gertrude was the name of our rival school in sports so….
You had me at dogs. But Gertrude…
As I live with a total of 180 pounds of dog (two big ones) I’m glad to know who to call on in times of stress. Voted for St. Roch.
My aunt, Gertrude, is gravely ill and will probably return to God by this weekend. When I saw St. Gertrude, I almost wept. Aunt Gert was truly a good and faithful servant. Her daughter, Mary, has been an amazing example of daughterly love. As much as I love dogs, I love my Aunt Gert more. St. Gertrude has my vote!
Peace to your family and may God give her an easy way home.
Amen.
Amen!
Holding your aunt and you in my prayers today.
Another case of using a random number generator to get a decision & Gertrude u are the winner. Both of these saints are winners, it should be a vote to tie. Cheering for both
Have to agree. I was truly torn today. The healer who travelled to Italy for comfort OR the woman mystic and writer. I voted for Roch, but am still second-guessing.
Dog licking sores agree with Susan Lee. Thanks every time I look at a dog now I’ll think of Roch. It’s Gertrude on that alone. Not crazy about either of them .
What is the connection to the West Indies?
Gertrude gets my vote. I love a woman who can’t resist giving advice. She was the Dear Abby of her day!
There is an island: Santa Gertrudes. Don’t know which Gertrudes though.
This is a super tough one. I love dogs, and personally I love the image of a dog healing a stranger by licking his wounds. The Saint as Healer, too, is compelling. Yet St. Gertrude was amazingly literate, left writings to inspire us, and shared her meditative regimen with others as a powerful path to God. What to do, what to do…
my first head nurse was a saint; she was named Gertrude, she was from Germany, and was a nurse-midwife. What a role model! She taught me so much, and I am grateful for both her and her teachings. Go Gertrude!
Although I’m a dog person…I’m not a single issue voter. I concur with Jane C – love advice giving Gertrude. She’s got my vote today.
Yes the dogs did it for me.
Having been falsely accused myself, I voted for Roch. I’m inspired by his ability to remain silent even though placed in such difficult circumstances.
Ann, Roch’s being patron saint of the falsely accused was a strong selling point. (I had that same experience myself but, fortunately, the judge recognized that the charge was frivolous. Still waiting for the end of the civil suit.) I hope that the Lord brings/has brought you safely through it.
Roch’s being patron saint of dogs is good, too. I love dogs, although I currently have a cat in residence and am probably more of a cat person. (You can own a dog, but you cannot own a cat; the best you can hope for is what I call “mutual ownage.”)
In the end, I voted for Gertrude. Most of what we know about Roch appears to be based on legend. With Gertrude, we at least have her writings. I respect mystics, although I am not one. Even though I was not familiar with her (or him), the claim that she was one of the greatest mystics of her century helped cinch my decision.
I generally tend toward the Mystics, but Roch pulled me in with his care for the Plague victims!
I am neither a dog nor a cat person–in my circumstances keeping a pet would be an act of animal cruelty–but I love the two forms of sainthood represented here: Roch drafted into sainthood by popular devotion (later, and perhaps reluctantly, recognized by “authorities”) and Gertrude, force fed learning and suddenly invested with the charism of visions. The Roch legends are clearly inspired by the Bible (for example the parable of Dives and Lazarus) and represent a different kind of formation by Scripture (like my fifth-grade Sunday School student of 50-odd years ago who, when asked to name a miracle of Jesus, volunteered, “He turned stones into bread.” That’s not what the text says, but it’s what the heart knows when His bread sustains us in the stony wilderness of our exile in the world. As I recall, I probably voted for Gertrude, but it has taken me a very long time to succeed in writing this Post. Neuropathy, like autocorrect, plays havoc with Comments!
Thanks for persevering, John!
The dogs are great, and tempted me but to sit in a prison for 5 years without telling your uncle who you are? Gertrude was no less uninspiring. I did vote however.
I agree. Seemed like senseless suffering to me.
I agree also. What good can a saint do for others if he’s locked up in prison? Seems a strange decision on his part.
I also wonder at Roch’s silence. And the Bio didn’t help, offering no explanation as to why he kept quiet.
I couldn’t help wondering if his uncle knew who he was and didn’t want the competition to his authority. In that case, maybe Roch kept quiet to preserve peace. Pure speculation, probably based on my own overly suspicious mind. I voted for him anyway, because he cured the sick and allowed a dog to cure him.
Rumor has it Roch didn’t tell who he was to avoid worldly glory
This is a close one – But as a Martha, I usually end up voting for the doer rather than the thinker!
Ah, but that’s not to say Gertrude didn’t do anything, right? Thinkers and writers are doers, too!
Had to go with Roch….animal lover, cool name, gave up his wealth, and as much as I love books as a librarian, those that serve others in the name of Christ always win me over.
Why on earth didn’t Roch just tell them who he was? Gertrude!
Once again, it seems to be a thinker vs. a doer. I stand on the Rock, for his service to plague victims. I have my doubts about dog saliva’s curative powers, but compared to some of the stories we heard about last year’s Saints, it’s downright sensible! Although, if Gertrude were around today, I might approach her for some counseling.
You mean to tell me that all of those dogs, including my own, that lick their wounds, are wrong?
Just went and read some of Gertrude’s writings. Wow! Her adoration and awe sings across the centuries.
Wait until we get to St. Denis and his act of preaching.
Patron of the falsely accused and an action of compassion that enters the pains of others rather than walls them off – Roch seems to be a saint for today. Gertrude would also be very tempting if I were at a different place in my own life.
Our two dogs are family, but being cured by dogs and enduring prison does not rank up with a life of service and writing that inspires generations. I go with Gertrude.
Once again, though there have been exceptions, I will go with the woman. It is so good to know there have been women in all ages that went against the norms of the day to be the person God meant for them to be. Women are and have been scholarly, excellent writers, and expressive. She also was so in tune with God in her life that she could see visions and write about them in a compelling way.
Pooh! I had recommended Gertrude the patron saint of cats to the SEC last year during nominating season. I am SO disappointed and respectfully request that she be in the 2017 bracket. But, since I don’t dislike dogs, I just like cats better, I voted for Roch–besides, the falsely accused need their very own patron saint and he fits the bill nicely. Can hardly wait for the kitsch round on this guy…I’m sure the “other” Gertrude was a nice lady but I must go and lick my wounds, since no dogs are evidence…
Jack the Dog, (see Facebook page) is quite clear this morning that if I do not vote for Rocco…then I run the risk of having a new birthmark on my chest…courtesy of Jack the Dog…so what can I say? Rocco! All the way!!!
Jack made you do it! Hope we will be getting a sermon on this.
I voted for Roch because I couldn’t find the “Dog” button.
Ah, so the first groupies were formed in Montpellier…
Haha! Roch on!
For the second day in a row, the Supreme Executive Council seems to have forgotten the results of the contest between Absalom Jones (82%) and Matthias (18%). While the last two contests have, indeed, been lopsided, I would like to see Absalom Jones’ achievement celebrated!
I also asked this question and am wondering why??
There’s been a “Roch” magnet (purchased at a Benedictine abbey!) on our fridge for years, watching over the dogs who’ve been part of our family. So–Roch it is.
It’s Roch, patron of dogs, for being the kind of person a dog would be drawn to. And for his courage and compassion in caring for plague victims. And for the saintly qualities that made his fellow villagers mourn him so int3ensely.
The patron saint of dogs and plagues is a tough opponent, but a woman who pursued a well-rounded education in quiet service to God and others, and whose contributions were overlooked for a couple of centuries, seems a more likely story than that of the Roch, heartwarming though it may be. Gertrude gets my vote.
“When Roch healed, he returned home. Unfortunately, his uncle, the governor, did not recognize him and threw Roch in prison as a spy. For five years, Roch lived in the prison without revealing his identity. It was not until he died that people recognized him by the cross-shaped birthmark on his breast.”
IT AMAZES ME THAT HE DIDN’T SHOW HIS UNCLE THE SCAR. he got my vote anyway-there’s got to be more to that story….
Humans can only aspire to the saintliness of dogs. So, since I can’t vote for the dog, I’ll vote for Roch. By doing so, I am violating my rule of always voting for the Mystic, but…dogs.
Mike, you got me. Often and often I’ve watched a dog loving her ‘God on earth’ and wished I could display such devotion. To have your God incarnate before you always–how blessed is a happy dog! So, Roch.
Roch: First is was the dog thing, but then those great legs in the painting clenched it for me. 😉 LOL
That brought me a chuckle, too, but it was Gertrude for me today.
I liked both of these proposed saints, which, I suppose, puts me between a Roch and a hard place. However, when someone is the patron saint of dogs, plagues, and the falsely accused…that’s the person who gets my vote. Roch on into the weekend everyone!
As a dog owner, I can’t not vote for Rocco!
Gertrude for me…can’t have too many good female spiritual directors!
Kudos to Gertrude. It’s a ruff choice, but upon this Roch I cast my vote! I canine tell a lie.
Great one Peg! Made me laugh!
As Gertrude comes from Soxony, like my Dad and, since I’m half saxonian too, she gets my vote!
So Roch says to the dog, he says, “Heel!” And then later on, the dog says to Roch, he says, “Heal!”
P.S. Peggy Pate, you made me howl with laughter.
SEC — your anticipation of puns out the wazoo was certainly correct.
Yes, eventually the SEC will have to add a rimshot button to the site.
Speaking as one who had worked in law enforcement for a quarter-century, I couldn’t vote for anyone other than the patron of the falsely accused.
Dude, you Roch!
I grew up with dogs and cats; only cats now. I voted for St. Roch because of the miraculous cures and because of the dogs.
And how, may I ask, am I supposed to build evening prayer around today’s Lent Madness when neither Roch nor Gertrude are in Lesser Feasts, or Holy Men & Women or any other lectionary I can find with SCRIPTURES attached. Quick, I need scriptures for these Saints — lest we end up with the dog returning to it’s vomit.
Perhaps Scriptures referring to people seeking counsel from older, wiser, holy people, such as David consulting the prophet or Mary consulting Elizabeth? (to go with Gertrude’s work in teaching and counseling) or many healing stories in the Bible?
Good thought, Lucy. I ended up checking out Friday in 1st week of Lent, and decided Psalm 130 felt Gertrude-ish. Used Ecc “Better a live Dog than a dead Lion” for the opening. Contemplated the Ezekiel 18:21-28 from the Friday in lent, which was reminiscent of dogs returning to vomit, thought about St. John the Baptist in jail, but as I drove up to the church, Luke’s “did not our hearts burn” from the two going to Emmaus felt right for Gertrude. During the Sermon time, one person suggested Hannah giving Samuel to Eli, and another suggested the even the dogs getting the crumbs from under the table. Good time had by all.
Just for the record I voted for Gertrude. The icon blew me away: a book, a pen and a heart aflame, what else does anyone need? Well maybe more beautiful clothes. . .I went forth and bought a blouse.
Roch, Roch, Roch!
We will we will Roch you!
I like ’em both. I love dogs. But I am fascinated with the mystics and will need to go with Gertrude. Besides, why didn’t Roch just identify himself?
Roch. If for no other reason: the most, shall we say, bizarre Saintly Portrait to date.
Probably the most bizarre so far this year. But looking back, I think this pales next to Thecla and the pool of ravenous seals.
I’m with you there!
According to this considerably less ridiculous sounding account … http://www.saintroccosfeast.Org/st_rocco.html … the dog brought him bread. But, whether it was saliva or bread or just love, I know what it feels like to be saved by a dog … and the Roch and I have a few other things in common, too. So… Roch on!
In honor of a favorite statue at the Cloisters museum, I vote for Roch.
Roch seemed to be continually running and hiding from his fate, Gertrude with a deep and inquiring mind and spirit gets my vote.
Stanley, the almost 14-year-old Weimaraner, made it perfectly clear who I was to vote for today. What can I say, he owns me. Besides I tend to side with anyone who cares for the sick and picked on. Go Roch!
This choice is not as tough as I first thought. Roch has my vote to move forward to the Saintly 16 because Julian of Norwich beat out my other Doer, William Wilberforce. Besides, my big brown-eyed dog Fitzy is staring at me.
Gertrude (lovely icon). Roch is showing a bit too much leg to claim saintliness. However I’m now in the doghouse with my faithful companion and she just trotted off with my iPad stylus.
I’ve been reading Gertrude’s “The Herald of Divine Love” in a seminary class on Women Mystics, and she is an amazing visionary! She loved God with a fiery passion and a deep desire for unity with the holy that is truly inspiring. Gertrude gets my vote.
Having loved several dogs dearly and deeply I can test to their healing powers. But, being also, a CCCP (Card Carrying Cat Person) I must speak to a healing which just took place — I stubbed my little toe and as I was screaming in agony, one of my cats, with a foot fetish, came and put his big soft head on the offended toe an then rolled his whole significant body over it and it felt ucg better. St. Ash.
that’s “much better, thank you.
Just wondering? Yesterday it was stated that Constance had won by the biggest margin yet this year, and now you are saying Joseph won by the biggest margin. What about Absalom Jones? Did he not win 82% to 18% for Matthias. I am very confused??
I love dogs, but I can’t figure out what Roch was or did to become a saint. So I voted for the mystic.
He healed people sick of the plague and then got himself healed in turn by a dog.
Roch. Sorry, Oliver. what does a 10 year old know?
Actually, 10 year olds are frequently more knowledgeable and astute than those of us who like to call ourselves adults.
yes, they are. i have a 10 year old granddaughter who is smart as a whip. you Roch, Oliver! even though you voted for Gertrude…
Excuse me?
(Donna, my question was for Beth.)
I figured we were thinking along the same lines. Besides that, Oliver’s 8 years old.
When I read ‘Patron Saint of Dogs’ I knew that my vote would have to go to Roch … however after reading about Gertrude’s accomplishments in education, at a time when that would have been well outside the norm, and her writings that have inspired down through the centuries, I voted for Gertrude. I love the icon of her with her book and pen.
I was so torn on this one. I ended up looking up pictures of San Rocco in Venice and the Monastery of St. Mary’s, Helfta on the Internet and based my decision on which one I liked better. San Rocco is a stunning church building! So I voted for Roch.
Roch. Accused pesos and dogs have much in common. (imo, the CAT is usually the guilty party)
Saint Roch AKA Rocco is also the patron saint of knee problems. He has certainly been a good intercessor for me.
Emory, that’s good to hear! I may try asking for his intercessions, although my problems are more back and neck than knee. Unless I find a patron saint for those, I guess I’ll see if Saint Roch is willing to branch out a little.
Am I the only one who thinks the icon of St. Roch looks a little like Angelina Joli in her Oscar gown a couple of years ago? Although a dog lover through-and-through, I voted for Gertrude. I agree with Oliver… she went to church when she was 4!
LOL
Gertrude the Great. Mystic, writer, spiritual counselor plus such a lovely icon! The dogs almost had me, but why would Roch not identify himself to his Uncle for five years? Gertrude had strong gifts.
Rock gets my vote today, not so much for himself as for one of his namesakes, a Cistercian monk who taught me theology at the University of Dallas many years ago.
Dogs’ eagerness to inflict slobbery licks is one of the reasons I prefer to hang with cats (at least if a cat licks you–and why would it?–it would be a dry lick). At the same time, I am feeling particularly ache-y today, so almost voted for Roque. In the end, literacy for women won out. Go Gertrude!
Gertrude gets my vote. My grandmother was named after her; she was no mystic but a very wise woman.
went with Roch on this one. Just liked his desire to help the people and the Dog taking care of him is great too. My dog likes to take care of me. not much for mystics sorry
Roch (Roque/Rocco) started out well, healing the sick by invoking God. And the dog story is appealing. However, what did he do in prison? Was he ministering to his fellow prisoners? Did he remain because he was doing God’s work there?
Comparing the work of the two I feel that Gertrude accomplished more than Roch did and so I vote for Gertrude.
I love my dog, and have a fine friendship with Jean-Roch, a French veterinarian, but I had to vote for Gertrude. Where would I be without my spiritual friends and advisors, and the writings of so many Christians who have gone before?
I voted for Gertrude. Neither of these saints jumped and grabbed me but when I was a kid one of my mother’s best friends was/is named Gertrude so the old girl got my vote.
I voted for Gertrude.
I couldn’t get past the fact that Roch just sat in jail and didn’t reveal his identity. Why not? What did that accomplish? How many good works were missed?
Although I did not find this an easy contest, I did vote for Roch. In reading the comments, I’m impressed by how many dog lovers voted for the dog saint, when on Tuesday the coffee lovers gave Drogo a pass. I was sure he would win handily, especially since coffee is one of the SEC’s main sacraments. Oh well. I do like dogs much better than I like coffee, so I’m not complaining. I just find it interesting.
I had never heard of Saint Roch before. I was pleasantly surprised during my Fat Tuesday bracket party to discover that I was VERY familiar with him as Saint Rocco! My “home” parish, St. James, had merged with the neighboring St. Rocco’s (a strange patron for an Episcopal parish, I know, but the neighborhood was incredibly Italian).
My very first time worshipping at an Episcopal church I had been invited by the priest to provide music for the liturgy. I was set up in the trancept right in front of the statue of Saint Rocco (and his dog).
As I was discovering the Episcopal Church, I attended morning prayer weekly in the same trancept. And when I graduated with a degree in music I gave my senior recital in the same place.
Even though I’m not a dog person, not do I have even a drop of Italian in me, I see Rocco as something of a patron saint for me. So even if “Roch” is a silly version of his name, he’s got my vote.
I am a dog person (and really allergic to cats!). My Grandmother was Gertrude, I speak German, and thus I must give my “Ja!” to St. Gertrude the Great. Some days that’s the best sort of logic I can muster.
I voted for Roch because my dog is sick. Here’s hoping the healing can go the other way, too….
Trust your dog is better soon!
Thanks, Ellen.
My dogs said I had to vote for Roch.
I wonder if I were as faithful to God as my little dog is to me would God tell me (in a high squeaky voice) what a good little person I am? Nonetheless I voted for Gertrude.
I think today’s bloggers had to really dig deep. I could only generate enthusiasm for Gertrude because my father’s sister was named Gertrude….However, too little was known in my estimation whereas we know quite a bit about Roch…I guess dog spit isn’t the worst cure for plague sores. After all, Linus was always kissing Lucy in PEANUTS and she survived although she was still a juvenile tyrant. So Roch who healed and then was quite unjustly imprisoned gets my vote today with hopes for something more uplifting Monday morning bright and early…OK, Monday bloggers?
had to go with the dogs…
With three dogs sitting next to my breakfast table, I had to vote for rough, lest they feel insulted. Actually it was a hard choice so I had to use a silly reason to make up my mind.
Gertrude! A mystic and early spiritual guide!
healing the sick, healed by a dog, patron saint for falsely accused…all very noble. However; it was the artwork that bowled me over! A substantial amount of skin displayed for the time era of 1350 combined with that side long glance that seems to say “vote for me”.
I’m voting for Gert – LOVE dogs, have had many but, why the heck didn’t Roch say something during his 5 LONG years of imprisonment??? What a waste of time that was!
As a Benedictine confrater it had to be Gertrude — and this was just fine with our cat!
How could one fail to vote for a man named “The Rock”? Maybe not too bright to sit in a cell for5 years without divulging his name, but he was clearly marked (red cross) for greatness. He was a doer, heals the sick, loves dogs and is saved by one. Also remember that the Supreme Executive “rocks.”
Roch has a compelling story, but I’m puzzled why he didn’t reveal his identity to secure his release. Was he healing and converting prisoners? Perhaps we’ll never know.
Female mystics nearly always get my vote, though. I find that kind of devotion really speaks to my heart. I’m rather far too worldly to be a mystic myself, but perhaps in another life. So Gertrude it is!
I voted for Gertrude because the things she did and wrote inspired me. I can only think that Roch at this moment is winning because the dog lovers are voting for him. (Where is a good patron saint of cats when we need one?)
As a Public Defender, Roch had me at patron saint of the wrongfully accused.
I’m with saucy CC (Carolyn is that you?) The dog, the leg, the compassion, the silent suffering (hence the gnashing of teeth and the ground roots surge for sainthood) Julian and Gertrude should have been pitted against each other.
I wasn’t particularly inspired by either choice. I would rather have voted for the dog who healed Roch’s wounds! Since I couldn’t, I voted for Roch and also enjoyed the amount of leg showing in the artwork.
Roch’s leg and handsome face
drew my attention,
but the lovely Gertrude won my vote
with her erudition,
and her counseling skills.
(it didn’t hurt that my husband’s mother was named Gertrude.)
Glad to finally discover the story behind São Roque, a name with which I became familiar while living in Lisbon. Dog lover though I am, I admire Gertrude’s work as a counselor, theologian and writer. She left a lasting contribution and gets my vote today.
Are there a lot of Martha/Mary pairings this year? Or does it just seem so to me? Gertrude sees visions and writes about them. Roch serves the ill and suffers because of it. And then suffers again because he will not speak who he is.
I voted for St. Gertrude in honor of my great aunt who shared her name. Also, I’m allergic to dogs.
I voted for education, especially of young women in places and eras where education is not common.
Had to vote for a much favored saint from my childhood, St. ROCH! Even the sisters who taught us to say this (in my mind “magic” small prayer), didn’t know really anything about his life other than that he was a great healer. Well, I’m 67 amd still use this prayer. “ST. ROCH, pray for us and keep us well.” (3X)
The picture of him looks like he’s showing his leg like a dancer. There are many images of Roch, his wound, and dog caregiver. I just saw a great one yesterday as I was researching that match up. I must say that the icon of Gertrude today though, is stunning!
I voted for Roch, though it was a hard choice (no pun intended). At first I was put off wondering why he stayed in prison. But my guess is, judging from his past behavior, that he saw a need there and stayed to take care of the prisoners. He likely saw that they were mostly poor or outspoken victims of an unjust political and prison system. Very much a saint for today.
After reading all these comments, something is niggling away at me- so I would just like to point out that the bio for Gertrude says she entered SCHOOL in the monastery when she was 4 because she was either given by her parents, or because there was no where else for her, as she was an orphan. How do you get “she went to church” out of that?
Gertrude seemed like the obvious choice to me. Roch may have been a holy man (for all we know) and certainly he has been the object of a very widespread cult (still popular here in Mexico), but almost everything in his story is pure legend. Gertrude has left us writings about her mystical visions which still inspire and teach us, as do the writings of all those wonderful medieval mystics, so many of them women who overcame many obstacles to be influential leaders in a church which mostly tried to deny them that opportunity. So go, Gertrude–the Great!
I almost always find myself drawn to the saints who have documentation rather than legend as their story today, and this is no exception. But I wonder where my faith is placed given my own life experiences. I ought to pray more before voting, and will in the future
Another mystic. Big year for mystics. I’d never even heard of Gertrude. Although I’m a dog person, Roch doesn’t seem to have much connection with dogs aside from being healed by one, and he doesn’t seem to have paid much attention to them after he was healed, so I’m going with the mystic again.
For me the highest level of Grace is when someone serves the sick and poor putting their own life on the line. That is why I chose Roch .
IT isn’t so much that Roch loved dogs, it’s that he was loved by the dogs. Why else would they search him out, help him heal, and stay lovingly with him. He chose the better path from youth – following the St Francis path of giving up riches and seeking God in the poor and sick.
Have had dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, ducks, a couple of parakeets and who knows what else for as long as I can remember! My first dog was named “Floppy”, a cocker spaniel. (Had chickens, too, but not as pets…and even though I was the one who fed them, they pecked at me when I collected their eggs…ungrateful birds!)
Had to go with Roch in honor of Angel, Devuska (Russian for “dog”, spelling uncertain), and Daisy. the canines who, along with their mistress, currently rule our home.
Of course, as a Vermonter I had to vote for Roch. The write-up said followers gathered in Montpellier after his death. Just continuing the tradition. Oh, THAT OTHER Montpellier!
A toss up for me, a dog lover, but the mantra in my family is, “if you don’t vote, then you can’t complain”.
Though my middle name at baptism was LaRoche, I voted for Gertrude. Benedictine mystic trumps dog-lover for me. Nice doggie, peculiar story. And he’s busted my bracket, too. Bummer.
So wait. The guy who was given a miraculous healing and then used it to sit in prison without revealing his identity until he died…he’s more of a doer than someone who counseled and taught and wrote?
If the “thinkers” who write and teach are not also doers, then we are essentially also leaving out all those who wrote the scriptures, and the biographies of these saints, and theological and devotional works, and sermons and prayers, and this website.
I’m sensing a false dichotomy….
This “thinker” (who writes and preaches and teaches and prays) votes for Gertrude, a (rare) well educated medieval woman who wrote and taught and counseled, even though she isn’t the cat lady I was hoping she would be. 🙂
Excellent points, Teri!
Hear, hear! I’d hate to have to tell all my writer, teacher, clergy and researcher friends that we have all done nothing with our lives, and nothing for anyone else, either. They were both doers!
I voted for St Roch. Not only did I go to St Roch church as a child but I liked the way he healed the sick like Jesus did.
I love dogs but I love counselors and teachers and writers more. Plus, my mother-in-law’s name is Gertrude, and she was so darn nice to me that Gertrude gets my vote. When I once ooked the worst casserole in the world, she struggled hard for something kind to say. And finally, she came up with it: “Why, it’s very warm, very warm.” What a gem. Gertrude gets my vote.
I vote for Gertrude. As great as a woman who proceeded her – Hildegard of Bingen – women just weren’t encouraged to be educated teachers in their eras. She was perhaps also the last in a long line of children in her home and given to the Church as a way of lessening the burden on the family. Either way, she accomplished much more that was to be expected of a young woman in her circumstances.
Gotta be Roch. First of all, patron saint of DOGS! Then there’s the incredibly cool name, Roch! And his story has so much drama – ministering to the sick, falsely accused and imprisoned. An inspiring story.
Having worked with therapy dogs for many years I can attest to their healing presence. One of my dogs “helps” during healing prayer and I frequently see the delight in the eyes of people who bo not or cannot have pets when they sit with him before, after, or sometimes during the service.
Our faithful, loving companion for over 13 years died last week. Sadie, our beautiful Golden Retriever, has licked many of our wounds over the years and helped heal some broken hearts. Just like a dog to show up when someone needs a “licking” friend! In memory of Sadie, my vote goes for Roch.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew two magnificent Goldens and still morne their loss.
I cast my vote for Roch, not least because of the lovely children’s book, ‘A dog and his boy’, which involves a monastery dedicated to St Roch at which guide dog puppies are bred.
Today’s holy collision gives us a chance to pursue a discussion, taken up yesterday by a statement that the person of Joseph was wholly fictional and therefore halo-ineligible, of the place, if any, of legend in our 21st-century faith. Roch’s biographer has provided a coherent account that includes many events that smack of, ahem, fancy; but, if one credits the saint’s impressively documented Wikipedia article, there are discrepant versions of where and when those events took place. To fully appreciate the riot of confusion in the reported lives of Roch and other saints, refer to his article and follow the copious links where they may lead.
One eminently reasonable approach to such tales, taken by yesterday’s gadfly, is wholly to reject them out of what might be unkindly called “rational fundamentalism.” Another, taken by today’s biographer, is to try to syncretize them by using various techniques to resolve points of conflict. A third, reasonable or not depending on one’s point of view, is simply to accept all the stories for the truth they contain and the insights they afford.
I’d suggest that this last is closer to what was in the mind of the people who wrote them down, altered, embroidered and embellished them, and used them as a means of drawing nearer to God. Surely they could tell fact from fiction, but they seem not to have needed to make such distinctions in every case. That does make it difficult for us, living as we do in the Twenty-first Century and not the Eleventh, to succeed in getting into their heads.
So though I feel deeply drawn to Gertrude, and far more secure in my knowledge of her existence and achievements, today my vote goes to Roch (known in Glasgow as “St. Rockle” in a putative conflation of “Roch’s Loch,” I love it) in celebration of his richly inspiring life stories, fantastic in every sense of the word.
My dogs believe that St. Roch covers the street with garbage cans every Wednesday for all good puppies.
No choice — my grandmother was Gertrude.
Peg S., you’re brilliant.
Another easy choice for me.I chose to try to be a healer for my occupation. How could I not vote for a man who healed people with the plague and had the perfect relationship with a dog, Roch’s best friend. Yersinia pestis, you’ve been bested!
So… my mother and grandmother were both Gertrude’s… And German mystics… like Hildegard of Bingen… bring a lot to the table. No brainer here.
Hi Len, you mean that Chippendale poster picture of a quite well fed prisoner with the come hither look didnt move you to vote for him? Hahaha.
Gnashing of teeth! My vote to St. Roch for that alone!
Despite being a totally committed dog lover, I voted for St. Gertrude in fond memory of my best teacher ever, Sr. Ste. Gertrude. She was a strong woman with the gift to inspire her students in many subjects, especially the physical sciences. But it was in a World Lit class in the late 50s when she stunned her good little Catholic high school freshmen while trying to get us to pronounce Goethe: “…you know, a bit like what you call me behind my back.” This was north of Boston, and of course the R was not pronounced in Gertie. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!
Our family are dog lovers and have a wonderful dog named Hershey…
However, Most didn’t know that Our Lord dictated a prayer to St Gertrude the Great to release 1,000 souls from Purgatory ea time it is said….
Have been praying the prayer for years
so my vote was for Gertrude..u can Google the prayer
I thought purgatory didn’t exist any more.
I personally don’t believe in Purgatory, but it is the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, and many Anglo-Catholics believe in it as well.
As a dog loving person I have to go with Roch. I really like how even though he go the plague he did the right thing by running away from the area of crises. I also like how the dog licked his sores and healed him back to life.
A true work of god!!!
I had to vote Roch because I love my dog and I have a dear family member who was falsely accused of a crime. But may all our saints help us and bless us.
Love dogs…love mystics. Hard choice today for me. Either way I win.
I have to go with Gertrude on this one. Who doesn’t love a woman schooled in Latin and rhetoric.
I voted for St. Roch. Healing the sick during the plague and the patron saint of dogs. Also in honor of the St. Roch Football Club (“the Candy Rock”) in Glasgow, Scotland. And I love Roch ‘n’ Roll! *hums tune*
I suppose I am required to identify myself as a cat person before proceeding, but that said, I voted for St. Roch because he is the patron of the falsely accused, and more than most, they need all the support they can get.
The combination selected here leads me to contemplate “mystical dogs,” of which I have had in my lifetime. I now wonder if they were guided by Roch? Then I will also comment that we must be careful that our supreme leaders are not sending us to the to the ___s. I am grateful for today’s enlightenment.
Women and Latin studies trumps a a dog tale.
I was impressed by a woman scholar and writer who knew Latin so well. However, I had to vote for Saint Roch because he was a healer…and because he was healed by a DOG! I am a dog-lover, like many voters here. But why, when he was imprisoned, apparently because of a misunderstanding, didn’t he reveal his identity. That doesn’t make sense to me.
Though I admire St. Roch, I cannot believe that he is beating out the ONLY female saint to earn the designation “The Great.” I voted for her as a representative of all the great Christian scholars, teachers, philosophers, clergy, faith leaders and intermediaries on behalf of souls in Purgatory whose accomplishments have gone unrecognized because of their sex.
what? purgatory is a man made “place”
Regardless of whether you feel purgatory is Purgatory or purgatory and whether it is on earth or in the afterlife, this is a beautiful concept, worthy of a saintly doer: “The Prayer of St. Gertrude … is one of the most famous of the prayers for souls in purgatory. St. Gertrude the Great … was a Benedictine nun and mystic who lived in the 13th century. According to tradition, our Lord promised her that 1000 souls would be released from purgatory each time it is said devoutly. –http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-for-souls-in-purgatory.html
Gee looks like Oliver is picking all the losers. Roch is winning on this one too.
Dog lovers unite and vote for Roch!
I was at first inclined to vote for the dog lover, Roch, as I do love our furry canine friends. But…my mother’s name was Gertrude, a name she didn’t really like. I miss my mother every day. Gertrude got my vote today.
For the times growing up, when Mom would get on me, for letting our beagle “Snuffy” lick at a sore. I’d reply that “dog spit kills germs!” Boy, do I wish I had known the St Roche story back then…I would have added that dog spit is holy!
Gertrude belongs with Julian of Norwich, Evelyn Underwood, Blessed Catherine Emmerich and many other great mystic women. We need to celebrate and affirm the feminine principle in Christian spirituality. With all our superficial talk of “affirmation” and “inclusion” with silly emasculated liturgical language, we still defer almost exclusively to male theologians. I never heard of Roch before. His story sounds like a lot of incredible medieval “miracles” which were all made up after his death.
I think that this would have been much more interesting if it *had* been St. Gertrude of Nivelles. Then it would have been dog lovers vs. cat lovers, and our household would have made six votes for St. G of N. (Does it count as multiple voting from the same e-mail if that votes being registered are those of cats?)
Gertrude sounds very worthy, but the patron saint of dogs has my vote – just so he will intercede on behalf of my four-legged family members.
Benedictine. Mystic. Gertrude.
I voted for Roch, partly because I’d never heard of him. I loved the miracle stories, and I like dogs! Hard to choose, as usual.
My family has had multiple dogs- and a few cats, including my calico Quilt- but this story of Roch makes little sense to me. He stopped to help the sick, caught the plague and went off to die, but didn’t. What else did he do that was saintly? Remain in prison for 5 years without revealing his birthmark which would prove his identity? Sounds like another, paler version of St. Francis, if all he had was a dog healing him. I vote for St. Gertrude, who may not have been wanted by her family but was certainly wanted and blessed by God, as she proved by receiving (and using) the gift of an education. In her time, that was a rare gift indeed for a woman.
Who knows where Roch was on his walk with God when he was in jail? What facets of God he was exposed to or what faces of Christ were revealed in his fellow captives? What is the difference between being free or in jail, between praying for the sick, oppressed and/or captive every week? Why not stay in jail? Maybe being in jail was a way to minister or be ministered to.
Not writing this too clearly, but it’s been on my heart this night.
Those are lovely, original thoughts. After all, now that you mention it, many of the great mystics found peace in cells. Like them, Roch may have held the key to his own.
What an excellent point! Being in prison didn’t necessarily mean that Roch was all by himself in a cell for five years. He may well have been helping and ministering to his fellow inmates. It’s a sensible explanation for why he didn’t reveal his identity. It’s consistent with his selfless and noble character as portrayed in the other stories about him.
My vote is with Roch and the many, many people who languish in American prisons, some of them unjustly convicted. At Lent, we should give extra attention to our broken criminal justice system and how we ended up incarcerating millions even as our crime rates improve.
It’s too late to vote, but I’ll comment anyway. Both saints were exemplary humans, and the dog who licked St. Roch’s wounds deserves a shout out as well.
Correction: sores instead of wounds. Dogs don’t care; they just love us however they find us.