St Roch's is one of the more eccentric cemeteries in New Orleans. Named for St. Roch, a semi-legendary figure whose prayers are said to have averted the Black Death. St. Roch's became popular with the catholic population in New Orleans during the city's frequent outbursts of yellow fever. Not only is St. Roch's home to a necropolis, it's also home to the 'relic room', an example of the odd catholic practice offering fake body parts up to the healing powers of a sacred site. The relic room at St. Roch's offers ceramic body parts, prosthetics, leg braces, crutches and false teeth are placed in recognition of cures affected through the intercession of St. Roch . These are also known as ex-votos, testaments to the healing powers of St. Roch. Marble floor tiles are inscribed with messages of thanks.
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| St Roch's glass eyes. By gwen on Flickr |
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| Photo credit: Juan Chavez - LINK |
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| Photo credit: Julie Dermansky - LINK |
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| Courtesy Dawn Carl - LINK |
