Saint Peregrine was born in 1260 in Forlì, one of the Papal States at the time, and was openly anticlerical as a youth. The Pope sent the Servite Philip Benizi to mend fences with the protesting anti-papal party. During this visit, Benizi was struck by a teenage Peregrine, who repented the moment when the mediator offered him the other cheek. Soon converted to Catholicism, Peregrine joined the Servites and later received the Servite habit. He adopted an exceptionally austere lifestyle, filled with prayer and the observance of solitude of silence.
The Patron Saint of Cancer
Whenever unnecessary, he didn’t allow himself to sit, causing his legs to be sore most of the time. At the age of sixty, he contracted a severe infection in his right leg. As the infection worsened, the amputation of the leg became inevitable. The saint spent the night before the operation in prayer, and the following morning he woke up in good health. Peregrine died in 1345 at the venerable age of eighty-five years.
The miracle of his recovery caused him to have floods of followers in life. After death he became the Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer and other terrible illnesses. Thanks to his conversion to Catholicism and to his religious fervor, he was granted the opportunity to heal from a terrible illness and to cure other people through his intercession.
Nowadays, Saint Peregrine Laziosi is the patron of cancer patients. He is usually represented seated with his infected leg undressed.
If you’re seeking spiritual support or want to make a gift to someone who’s going through a difficult illness, the medal of Saint Peregrine will be a perfect token of healing and recovery.
St Peregrine Prayer
O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "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, and who 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, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.
Amen.
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