St Roch Cemetery No. 1 ~ Campo Santo — Attraction in New Orleans

The beautiful and unique St. Roch Cemetery & Chapel in New Orleans, Louisiana has - along its walls and in its corners - beautiful life-size statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. A pilgrimage on Good Friday, led by a local priest, draws worshippers to the cemetery every year to walk and revere the stations.

Yet, what truly sets St. Roch Cemetery apart is it's infamous and unique shrine room, off to the right inside the tiny chapel, where offerings of thanks are left to St. Roch for his intervention in their suffering.

St. Rocco was a man who administered to plague victims in his life and is now the patron saint of infectious diseases. The Ninth Ward's New Orleans chapel was built for and dedicated to him when, in 1868, Rev. Thevis had his prayers to the saint answered - his parishioners were saved from a terrible yellow fever epidemic that was then sweeping the city. You can read more about the chapel's history here.

Since that time, St. Roch appears to have interceded for many, who leave their offerings of thanks to him - creating a bizarre and hauntingly beautiful space that is touching and, also, uniquely New Orleans. You cannot help but stand inside the tiny room and wonder about the stories behind each item left there; which includes everything from ceramic body parts, prosthetics, crutches and leg braces to glass eyes, a kidney mold, a glitter-bespeckled camera, and a dead bird. Some pieces are obviously symbolic while others are the genuine article, something that someone, presumably, was able to cast off thanks to the intercession of St. Roch.

Though the area was badly flooded during Hurricane Katrina, it has persevered. If you are interested in checking out New Orleans cemeteries, this lesser well-known little graveyard and its accompanying chapel are more than...

One of New Orleans' overlooked cemeteries, and people don't know what they're missing. The chapel is a Neo-gothic Victorian fever dream, dedicated to 14th century plague saint and patron of healing and dogs, St Roch. Dedicated in 1874, revitalised in the 1940s and 50s, and finally brought back to life after Katrina in the early 2010s, this cemetery sees monthly healing Masses and pilgrimages to walk the giant marble Stations of the Cross embedded in the cemetery walls. The graves here represent a cross section of New Orleans' working class and immigrant populations through the past 150 years, with German, Irish, Italian, and Black Catholics interred here, with fascinating outliers mixed in. The tombs here are beautiful, and the healing room on the side of the chapel is fascinating. The chapel itself is often closed, so check times before you go to make sure both the cemetery and chapel are open, and be considerate of locals. There are recent graves here and people deserve respect.

Whilst I've never felt vulnerable here, the neighbourhood has seen better times. Be aware of your surroundings and if you decide to walk up to St Roch's Market, be alert -- the traffic alone can...

We got married here on 2.22.2022 After we were pronounced husband & wife, and we were kissing our family said your veil! So we looked down to pick it up but they said “no up there” It happens that my veil was taken by a gust of wind and placed on an eyebolt of the chapel.. And we believe it was my husbands father whom passed 11 years prior. It happened as a train was going by honking in sets of 2. Magical and emotional moment telling us this union is ordained. Twinflames both having the initials VL, and same eyes, and tons more eerie synchronicities that prove we have been connected since our hearts took its first breath. TF’s are the catalyst for your ultimate awakening. Always be connected in spirit even when separated. Some will learn the lesson some won’t. A story of irrevocable love, fantasy & tragic...