Although his life sounds almost too unbelievable to be true, St. Peregrine not only existed but also left behind an incredible legacy that sees him still to this day as a patron saint to so many people battling terrible illnesses.
St. Peregrine Laziosi, now known as “The Cancer Saint,” was born in Forli, Italy in 1265.
According to “The Fairest Flower of Paradise: Considerations on the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, Enriched with Examples Drawn from the Lives of the Saints” by Rev. Alexis M. Lepicier, O.S.M., Laziosi grew up “a fierce enemy of the Church and the Pope,” helping to lead revolutions against Church authority.
In a major act of rebellion, Peregrine famously slapped St. Philip Benizi. St. Philip forgave him and prayed for him. Peregrine “was changed into another man” by the display of forgiveness, which eventually led to Peregrine joining the Servite order of friars.
As part of his self-imposed penance, Peregrine committed to never sitting unless absolutely necessary. He often slept leaning against a rock or a church bench. He tirelessly preached the Gospel and served the sick and the poor. Eventually, at 60, Peregrine’s legs began to fail him, as one leg developed cancer, marked by a horrible lesion.
The stench of the infected lesion made it unpleasant for others to be around Peregrine.
The night before his cancerous leg was set to be amputated, Peregrine prayed before an image of Jesus on the Cross. According to the Friends of St. Peregrine, Peregrine’s prayer “led him into a deep trance-like sleep during which he envisioned the crucified Christ leaving the cross and touching his cancerous leg.”
He awoke the next day and his leg was completely healed, free of cancer and with no visible signs of sickness.
St. Peregrine is perhaps the only saint whose medical miracle is documented on the National Institute of Health (NIH) site, saying “His physician was astonished to observe that there were no signs of the tumour.”
Praying for the Intercession of Saint Peregrine
Throughout the rest of his life, and after his death, many miracles were attributed to St. Peregrine, including restoring sight to the blind, casting out evil spirits, and healing abdominal injuries. He became known as “Glorious Wonder Worker” for the many miracles he was associated with.
The Friends of St. Peregrine feature many modern miraculous healings that, while not miracles officially recognized by the Church, are attributed to St. Peregrine by those who experienced them. One such example comes from Michaelynn in December 2019:
My brother was diagnosed with leukemia in June 2019. I googled the patron saint of anyone suffering from this disease and found St. Peregrine. I immediately began a novena for his intercession. I also asked everyone I knew to pray for my brother as well. My brother was immediately placed on chemotherapy. His response was so quick that he was released from the hospital earlier than expected. I continued to pray. My brother called me in August to tell me that he was leukemia free. I remembered the story in the Bible of Jesus healing a group of men and only one returned to thank Him. I am thanking Our Lord for my brother’s healing and St. Peregrine for his intercession.
We can always turn to God in our moments of suffering.
In an address to the sick at the National Cancer Institute, Pope John Paul XIII said of God: “He will always dry your tears, if you are able to look at his Cross and anticipate in hope the reward for this suffering. Trust in him. He will not abandon you!”
We can pray to God, through the intercession of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of those battling cancer, cancerous diseases, HIV/AIDS and other incurab.
St. Peregrine Novena – How to Pray a Novena to St. Peregrine
You can pray a novena to St. Peregrine the same way you pray any other novena: repeating the same prayer, petition, or devotion each day for nine days.
Hallow has created this original novena to St. Peregrine that you can use to ask for God’s healing from cancer for yourself or a loved one.
Each day’s prayer offers an opportunity to lift up your particular intention. Additionally, the novena will lift up a different universal group of people whose lives are impacted by cancer.
We recognize how scary a cancer diagnosis can be. Be assured of our prayers, and may God grant you peace as you pray the St. Peregrine novena. And remember that Hallow’s prayer campaigns are always free to create and join.
Jump to a specific day of the novena below, or just keep scrolling to start on Day 1.
- Day 1 – For all those whose lives have been impacted by cancer
- Day 2 – For those undergoing tests and whose condition is unclear
- Day 3 – For those recently diagnosed
- Day 4 – For those whose cancer has returned
- Day 5 – For the families and friends of those battling cancer
- Day 6 – For caretakers, nurses, and doctors treating cancer patients
- Day 7 – For scientists and researchers striving to end this disease
- Day 8 – For those near the end of their journey
- Day 9 – For the pursuit of sainthood
St. Peregrine Novena: Day 1 – For everyone impacted by cancer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for everyone impacted by cancer, a truly awful disease. Pope Francis once reminded pediatric cancer patients, “Very often, in life, we find ourselves in the situation of not having the strength to go forward. But you are never alone! Jesus is always close to you.” St. Peregrine, pray for everyone whose lives have been changed by cancer. May they feel Jesus walking side by side with them on their journey. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 2 – For those undergoing tests
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for all of those who are undergoing medical tests and awaiting more information about their condition. Pray that God gives them strength amid uncertainty and comfort amid chaos. When they feel overwhelmed by simply not knowing, pray that they find solace in knowing that God has a plan for their life. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 3 – For those recently diagnosed with cancer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for those who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis can feel like an entire world turning upside down, like the disciples felt in the tumultuous waters of the Sea of Galilee. St. Peregrine, for those who have just been diagnosed with cancer, pray that they feel Jesus extending His arm, reaching out to them to calm the storm in their life. Pray they feel Jesus shepherding them through these frightening times. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 4 – For those whose cancer has returned
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for those whose cancer has returned: those who have already faced this ugly disease and who prepare to battle it again. Pray that they may not tire in their journey. St. Peregrine, pray that they will trust in God, as you did. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 5 – For the families and friends of those battling cancer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for those impacted by cancer second hand–the family and friends of cancer patients, who support their loved ones on this difficult path while struggling with the challenges and helplessness of seeing someone close to them suffer. Pray that they, too, will feel comfort as they seek to provide comfort to the afflicted. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 6 – For doctors, nurses and caretakers
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for all of those to whom those battling cancer are entrusted for care: doctors, nurses, caretakers and others. Pray that God guides their minds to offer the best treatment possible and that He blesses them with strength and endurance. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 7 – For scientists and researchers seeking cures and treatments
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for scientists and researchers who seek to put an end to cancer as well as create more effective ways to treat this terrible disease. Through your intercession, may God bless with wisdom, knowledge, and strength those who have devoted their lives to seeking an end to cancer so that we may soon have a cure. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 8 – For those near the end of their battle with cancer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying for those who are near the end of their battle with this horrific disease. Pray, St. Peregrine, that though their body may be weakened by cancer, that their faith may remain strong. Pray that they can feel Jesus walking alongside them as they cross from this world to the next. Pray that God will grant them peace and comfort to their families. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
Day 9 – For the pursuit of sainthood
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dearest St. Peregrine, faithful servant of God, I come to you today humbly seeking your intercession.
St. Peregrine, patron of those battling cancer and other disease, you devoted your life entirely to God, tirelessly tending to God’s children battling sickness and poverty and constantly preaching His word. I beseech thee, o mighty St. Peregrine, to pray for me, that God may heal and protect me from any affliction, should it be His will, and that I may trust entirely in Him, as you modeled so courageously.
St. Peregrine, I ask you to join me today in praying that we live our lives like saints, as we are all called to do. You modeled this in your life. Pray that it may inspire me. I also ask for you to pray for this special intention of mine: (state your intention).
St. Peregrine, to whom many miracles are attributed, pray that God may grant this request. Pray also that despite the suffering I face, I can surrender myself to God’s will.
One Hail Mary..
One Our Father…
One Glory Be…
Amen.
If you enjoyed Hallow’s St. Peregrine novena, consider praying other novenas, like the Surrender Novena, St. Jude Novena, and the Sacred Heart Novena.