Roman St Peregrine Patron of Cancer Patients

St Peregrine

PATRON OF CANCER PATIENTS (1260-1345)

The only child of wealthy parents, Peregrine Laziosi was the

leader of the "anti-papal" party in Forli, Italy when he was

only 18. Peregrine was, like most people in his City at that

time, strongly opposed to the Catholic church. A pious priest

named Philip Benizi was sent to Forli by the Pope, to preach to the people

there. While Philip was praying, a disturbance broke out, and the priest

was insulted by the crowd and struck on the face by Peregrine. Father

Benizi's only response to the attack was that he said he would pray for

Peregrine. This so moved Peregrine that he dropped to his knees to ask forgiveness, and he experienced an immediate conversion.

Peregrine made a dramatic change in his lifestyle. He prayed often

to the Blessed Mother, and on one occasion, while praying in the

cathedral, Peregrine saw a vision of Mary surrounded by angels. She

told him to join the Order of The Servants of Mary, of which Father

Benizi belonged, and become a priest. Peregrine showed great

humility and self-sacrifice as he prepared to become a priest. Upon

completion of his training, he was given permission to return to Forli

to work with the people there. He was often seen with the sick and the

dying in the hospitals, prisons, and homes of the poor.

A few years later, the cancerous growth appeared on his foot. The

night before his leg was to be amputated, Peregrine prayed that he would

be able to continue his work, but humbled himself to the will of God.

The image of Jesus, on the crucifix in front of him, reach down to

touch Peregrine's foot. In the morning there was no trace of disease.

Peregrine lived until he was 80 years old. In addition to being the patron

of cancer patients, he is also invoked against AIDS and other illnesses.