Today, the 16th of August, just one day after the vivid fireworks and events of Santa Marija, is the day for Santu Rokku to shine!

Santu Rokku is a local saint known for being the protector against the plague and other diseases. San Rokku’s role as protector against such contagious diseases is due to the fact that during his life he is said to have come in contact with such illnesses. In the past, whenever there was an outbreak of pestilence or other diseases, the people of Birgu prayed to this saint in particular for deliverance.

His statue lies in Birgu’s San Lawrenz Parish, and today, after so many years, this statue is once again being placed together with Saint Lawrence in the church’s aisle, proudly on display.

Birgu’s devotion to San Rokku at Birgu dates back several centuries. In the 16th century, there was a confraternity in his name while records from 1598 – 1602 found the existence of a small wooden statue, dedicated to the saint, which used to be carried during processions in times of crises by way of penance.

In St Lawrence’s church, on top of the niche of St Catherine, there also lies a beautiful painting by Filippo Paladini that includes San Rokku. He is shown standing in the middle, accompanied by St Paul on the right and St Sebastian on the left.

In the years before the war, a procession in honour of the saint used to be held on the 3rd of May and on the saint’s feast, the 16th of August. These processions were discontinued after the war and the statue of San Rokku was redirected to its niche in St Lawrence church in Birgu.

Did you know about San Rokku and his feast on the 16th of August?