Saint Peregrine - Patron Saint of Cancer Sufferers.

By TOM DENNEHY

It is wonderful to have a saint like Saint Peregrine who will intercede before the throne of God for all who are suffering from cancer. A diagnosis of cancer in our lives is a life changing experience and it is important not to lose hope and to trust in God and His Holy will for our lives. He wants to heal us and has given us Saint Peregrine as our intercessor.

Peregrine Laziosi was born of a wealthy family at Forli, Italy, in 1260. As a youth, he was active in politics as a member of the antiPapal party. During one uprising, the Pope sent St. Philip Benizi to mediate and Philip was struck in the face by Peregrine. While Philip offered the other cheek, Peregrine was so overcome that he repented and converted to Catholicism. Following the instructions of the Virgin Mary, received in a vision, Peregrine went to Sienna and joined the Servites.

For thirty years, he worked unceasingly while as far as possible observing silence and solitude. Sometime later, Peregrine was sent to Forli to found a new house of the Servite Order. An ideal priest, he had a reputation for fervent preaching and being a good confessor. One of his slogans as a Servite may well have been; “better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today.” Daily he sought to become a more fervent religious man. To atone for past misdeeds, he treated himself harshly and worked hard for the poor and afflicted. People took to calling him the “Angel of Good Counsel”, so grateful were they for his wise advice so freely given. He was afflicted with cancer of the foot and amputation was decided upon. The night before the scheduled surgery, he spent hours in prayer. Then he

dozed off and dreamt that Christ was touching him and healing his foot. The experience woke him up. In the dim moonlight he saw that his foot, carefully bandaged a few hours earlier, was completely cured. The Forlineses appreciated him still more after learning of his miraculous cure. When they were sick, they appealed for his prayers. Many were healed when he whispered “Jesus “into their ears. His miraculous healings caused his reputation to become widespread. He died in 1345 at the age of eighty five. St. Peregrine, like St Paul, was in open defiance of The Church as a youth. Once again, given the grace of conversion, he became one of the great saints of his time. His great fervour and qualities as a confessor brought many back to the true faith. Afflicted with cancer, Peregrine turned to God and was richly rewarded for his faith, enabling him over many years to lead others to the truth. He is patron saint of cancer patients. He was canonized by Pope Benedict X111 in 1726.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine for Sick Relatives and Friends. O great Saint Peregrine, you have been called “The Wonder Worker” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of

our being. You had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady to cure the sick whom we entrust to you. (names of those whom you are praying). Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall praise God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

A Prayer to Saint Peregrine for One Suffering from Cancer

Dear St. Peregrine, I need your help. I feel so uncertain of my life right now. This serious illness makes me long for a sign of God’s love. Help me to imitate your enduring faith when you faced the ugliness of cancer and surgery. Allow me to trust the Lord the way you did in this moment of distress. I want to be cured , but right now I ask God for the strength to bear the cross of my life. I seek the power to proclaim God’s presence in my life despite the hardship, anguish and fear I now experience.

O Glorious St Peregrine , be an inspiration to me and petitioner of those needed graces from our loving Father. Amen