Your Faith Journey with EWTN
As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
c. 1260–May 1, 1345
Patron Saint of those suffering from cancer, serious illness, skin disease, and AIDS
St. Peregrine Laziosi’s life is a powerful testimony to conversion, perseverance, and trust in God amid physical suffering.
Born around 1260 in Forlì, Italy, Peregrine grew up in a city divided by political and religious tensions. He and his family lived in a town within the Papal States, but the emperor’s anti-papal faction had sown discontent with the papacy in that region.
As a young man, Peregrine aligned with the anti-papal faction, and he publicly opposed the governance of the legitimate pope, Martin IV. The pope sent an envoy to deliver a message of peace and unity to the people.
When the pope’s envoy, Servite friar and future saint Philip Benizi, arrived at Forlì, Peregrine and the other anti-pope supporters were enraged. He struck the pope’s envoy in the face. Instead of responding in anger, the friar turned the other cheek. This act of humility pierced Peregrine’s heart and led to his profound conversion.
Later, Peregrine experienced a vision in which the Blessed Virgin Mary asked him to join the Servite Order in a life of service to God. Obediently, he presented himself to the Servites and was welcomed by St. Philip, the same friar he had once struck. He embraced a life of intense prayer and penance. For years, he practiced rigorous self-discipline, including standing rather than sitting throughout the day and sleeping on the floor with a rock for a pillow.
Later in life, Peregrine developed a severely painful, cancerous condition in his leg. The disease progressed to the point that doctors determined amputation was necessary. On the eve of the scheduled surgery, Peregrine prayed before a crucifix late into the night, entrusting himself entirely to Christ.
That night, he had a vision or dream in which Christ reached out from the crucifix and touched his leg. Upon waking up in the morning, he found that his leg was miraculously healed. When the doctors arrived, they found the diseased tissue was gone.
St. Peregrine continued his ministry until his death on May 1, 1345. He was canonized in 1726. Many miracles have been attributed to his intercession.
St. Philip Benizi was a prominent member of the Servite Order. When the young Peregrine struck him during a public dispute, Philip responded with patience and forgiveness. This Christ-like response profoundly affected Peregrine, leading him to repentance. Realizing his error, Peregrine ran after Philip and asked for forgiveness. The future saint consoled him and encouraged him to seek guidance from the Blessed Virgin with childlike devotion. Following his advice, Peregrine later experienced a vision from Our Lady, who asked him to join the Servites in service to God. It was Philip, now a high-ranking member of the Servites, who welcomed Peregrine into the order. He facilitated his entry and set him on the path to the priesthood. He went on to spend the rest of his life in penance, devotion to the Virgin Mary, and service to the sick, later becoming the patron saint of cancer patients.
St. Peregrine is known as one of the healing saints. He is primarily recognized for the miraculous healing of his own advanced cancerous foot infection the night before a scheduled amputation. Peregrine spent the night in prayer. In a vision or a dream, he saw Jesus descending from the Cross to touch his foot and woke up completely cured. Following this event, numerous miracles were attributed to him. One city alone authenticated at least three hundred cures attributed to his intercession. Many cures involved cases of cancer, skin diseases, and chronic pain, establishing him as the patron saint of cancer patients. Throughout his life and after his death, many miracles have been reported through his intercession, including the disappearance of inoperable tumors and the healing of skin diseases. He has been credited with restoring sight to the blind and casting out evil spirits. His body is considered to be incorruptible.
St. Peregrine’s relics are preserved in the Church of St. Peregrine Laziosi in Forlì, Italy. The church, entrusted to the Servite Order, became a major pilgrimage site, particularly for those seeking healing from illness. His incorrupt body was displayed for centuries, drawing widespread devotion. His body is enshrined in a glass reliquary at the basilica. Today, pilgrims still visit Forlì to pray at his shrine, entrusting their physical and spiritual suffering to his intercession.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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