The «Association Saint Roch in Italy» has been established on the 26th of June 2005, its legal headquarters are in Sarmato (in the province of Piacenza, Italy) after a long preparation that has seen numerous people involved, men and women that, for the most different motivations, gathered together by their common interest for Saint Roch. The Association is associated to the «Association Internationale Saint Roch» from Montpellier, which represents the mother-house of all the Rochian realities in Europe and in the whole world; The Association also collaborates with the prestigious Arciconfraternity «Scuola Grande di San Rocco» of Venice and the Asociación San Roque España of Llanes.
The principal purpose of the Association is becoming the Italian point if reference of and for all the various realities and experiences linked to the name of Saint Roch, and favour their reciprocal encounter and collaboration. The Association, secondarily, takes care of social activites, and is involved in voluntary unpaid activities, through its own local sections; it also favours and organizes the most rigorous studies about the figure of saint Roch, thorugh the operative deed of the «International Historical-Scientific Committee for Studies on Saint Roch and Medieval History».
Although the Association is inspired by religious elements, it is non-confessional and anyone who is willing to support it may become a member of it. Joining is free, without discrimination regarding religious matters nor social, political, cultural, or about race or gender.