Who is St. Peregrine?
Saint Peregrine Laziosi, also known as St. Peregrine of Forlì, is the patron saint of cancer patients, those suffering from cancer, and those seeking healing from serious illnesses. Born in 1260 in Forlì, Italy, St. Peregrine lived a life of deep faith and devotion to God, and his own miraculous healing from cancer makes him a powerful intercessor for those facing similar challenges.
St. Peregrine's story is particularly inspiring for cancer patients because he himself suffered from cancer in his leg, which was so severe that doctors recommended amputation. However, through his deep prayer and trust in God, he experienced a miraculous healing the night before the scheduled surgery. This miracle, combined with his life of holiness and service to others, led to his canonization and his designation as the patron saint of cancer patients.
His feast day is celebrated on May 1st, and he is especially venerated by those seeking healing from cancer and other serious illnesses.
Why Pray the Novena to St. Peregrine?
The novena to St. Peregrine is particularly powerful for cancer patients and their families for several reasons:
His Personal Experience
St. Peregrine personally experienced the pain and suffering of cancer, making him uniquely qualified to understand and intercede for those facing similar challenges.
Miraculous Healing
His own miraculous healing from cancer demonstrates God's power to work miracles and gives hope to those seeking healing.
Spiritual Strength
The novena helps cancer patients and their families find spiritual strength, peace, and hope during difficult times.
Community Support
Praying the novena connects cancer patients to a larger community of believers who are also praying for healing and strength.
Trust in God's Plan
The novena helps develop trust in God's plan, even when that plan includes suffering and illness.
Biblical Foundation for Healing
The Bible contains many passages that speak to God's healing power and His care for the sick. These verses provide comfort and hope for cancer patients:
Psalm 103:2-3
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases." This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate healer and that He has the power to heal all diseases.
Jeremiah 17:14
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise." This prayer of Jeremiah can be our own prayer when facing illness.
James 5:14-15
"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up." This passage shows the power of prayer and the importance of community support.
Matthew 8:17
"This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.'" Jesus took upon Himself our sufferings and illnesses, showing His deep compassion for the sick.
The Novena Structure
The novena to St. Peregrine is prayed for nine consecutive days. Each day includes:
Opening Prayer (Pray each day)
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 fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored 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.
Daily Prayers
Day 1: St. Peregrine, you who experienced the pain and suffering of cancer, help me to find strength and courage in my own battle with this disease. Help me to trust in God's plan for my life and to find hope even in the midst of suffering.
Day 2: St. Peregrine, you who were miraculously healed by Jesus Himself, intercede for me that I may also experience God's healing touch. Help me to believe in the power of prayer and in God's ability to work miracles.
Day 3: St. Peregrine, you who served others even while suffering yourself, help me to find meaning and purpose in my illness. Help me to use this time to grow closer to God and to serve others in whatever way I can.
Day 4: St. Peregrine, you who trusted in God's timing, help me to be patient during my treatment and recovery. Help me to trust that God is working in my life even when I cannot see the results.
Day 5: St. Peregrine, you who found peace in prayer, help me to develop a deeper prayer life during this difficult time. Help me to find comfort and strength in my relationship with God.
Day 6: St. Peregrine, you who were supported by your community, help me to accept the love and support of family and friends. Help me to be open to receiving help and to express my gratitude for those who care for me.
Day 7: St. Peregrine, you who offered your suffering to God, help me to offer my own suffering as a prayer for others who are also sick. Help me to find meaning in my pain by uniting it to Christ's suffering.
Day 8: St. Peregrine, you who never lost hope, help me to maintain hope even when the situation seems hopeless. Help me to remember that with God, all things are possible.
Day 9: St. Peregrine, you who are now in heaven with God, pray for me that I may one day join you in praising God for all eternity. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on heaven and to remember that this life is temporary.
Closing Prayer (Pray each day)
O God, who gave to St. Peregrine an angel for his companion, the Mother of God for his teacher, and Jesus for the Physician of his malady, grant, we beseech You, through his merits, that we may on earth intensely love our holy angel, the Blessed Virgin, and our Savior, and in heaven bless them forever. Grant that we may receive the favor for which we now pray. And through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Additional Prayers for Cancer Patients
Here are some additional prayers you can pray to St. Peregrine:
Prayer for Healing
St. Peregrine, you who were miraculously healed by Jesus, I ask for your intercession in my battle with cancer. Help me to trust in God's healing power and to believe that miracles are still possible today.
Just as Jesus came down from the cross to heal you, I ask that He may also come to heal me. Help me to have the same faith and trust that you had, and to surrender my illness completely to God's will.
St. Peregrine, pray for me that I may experience God's healing touch and that I may be restored to health. But even if physical healing doesn't come, help me to find spiritual healing and peace in God's love. Amen.
Prayer for Strength
St. Peregrine, you who endured years of suffering with cancer, help me to find the strength to face each day of my treatment with courage and faith. Help me to remember that you understand my pain and that you are praying for me.
Give me the strength to endure the side effects of treatment, to face the uncertainty of the future, and to maintain hope even when I feel weak and discouraged. Help me to find strength in prayer and in my relationship with God.
St. Peregrine, you who served others even while suffering, help me to find ways to help others even during my illness. Help me to use this time to grow in virtue and to become more like Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Family and Caregivers
St. Peregrine, help my family and caregivers to have the strength and patience they need to support me during this difficult time. Help them to understand my needs and to provide care with love and compassion.
Give them the wisdom to know when to help and when to encourage me to be independent. Help them to take care of themselves as well, so they don't become overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving.
St. Peregrine, pray for my family that they may find peace and hope during this difficult time. Help us all to grow closer to God and to each other through this experience. Amen.
How to Make the Novena Most Effective
Here are some ways to make your novena to St. Peregrine more effective:
Pray with Faith
Approach the novena with complete faith in God's power and in St. Peregrine's intercession. Remember that God can work miracles and that nothing is impossible for Him.
Pray with Persistence
Don't give up if you don't see immediate results. Continue praying the novena with persistence and trust in God's timing.
Pray with Others
If possible, pray the novena with family members or friends. There is great power in praying together as a community.
Attend Mass
If you're able, attend Mass during the novena. The Eucharist is a powerful source of grace and strength.
Make Sacrifices
Offer small sacrifices during the novena as a way of showing your commitment and love for God.
Trust in God's Will
Remember that God's will is always what's best for us, even when we don't understand it. Trust that He has a perfect plan for your life.
Conclusion
The novena to St. Peregrine is a powerful way to seek healing and strength during cancer treatment. St. Peregrine's own experience with cancer and his miraculous healing make him a particularly effective intercessor for cancer patients and their families.
Remember that God loves you more than you can imagine and that He is with you during this difficult time. Trust in His healing power and in St. Peregrine's intercession, and never lose hope.
May St. Peregrine intercede for you and help you to find healing, strength, and peace during your battle with cancer. Amen.