Suffering is a gift we can give to God. It is a gift that only the person who is suffering can give. When we understand its value and offer it for love of God and the good of others, then we also find that suffering brings joy
Certainly good works are of great value, but pains and trials borne with love and patience are worth even more. Love can transform even the smallest pain and make it a worthy act of adoration.
No one loves suffering for itself. But to suffer out of love, and in an attitude of acceptance and trust, is to follow Jesus.
St. Peregrine, the Cancer Saint, is an example of just such trust.
As a youth in Forli he took an active part in the anti-papalist politics of his town. Father Philip Benizi was sent to Forli by the Pope to act as a mediator, but he was insulted and mistreated by the townspeople. A group of young troublemakers, led by Peregrine, attacked Fr. Philip and drove him from the town. Peregrine himself struck the saintly priest on his face. Fr. Benizi's only reply was to offer the other cheek.
Peregrine could not forget the look in the holy priest's eyes - a look of compassion, love and pardon. Peregrine's whole life changed and took on a new meaning. He begged Fr. Philip's forgiveness, left aside his former way of life, and dedicated himself to prayer and solitude.
During this time he developed a trusting and childlike confidence in the Blessed Mother. On one occasion Mary spoke to him and urged him to join her servants - the Servites. Fr. Philip Benizi received Peregrine into the order.
After Peregrine had been ordained a priest, he asked to return to Forli to work among his own people. His favourite places were the hospitals, the prisons and the homes of the poor. He spent his days and nights visiting the sick and the dying, and comforting them by his presence, his words and his actions.
A life of poverty and penance eventually left its mark on the aging Fr. Peregrine. A painful and repulsive cancerous sore developed on his leg. Yet, he bore this suffering without complaint. To save his life, however, the doctors decided to amputate. Surgery was a great risk in those days. Peregrine was afraid and spent the night before the operation in prayer. Suddenly the figure on the crucifix above him began to move! Jesus came down and touched the painful sore, then disappeared. Father Peregrine thought it had been a dream - but he was cured! The doctors themselves testified that they could no longer detect any trace of the cancerous sore.
For this reason St. Peregrine has been designated the patron of all who suffer from any type of cancer.
The suffering that St. Peregrine bore in his lifetime became his crown of glory. His reward was the heaven that each of us longs to someday enjoy.
What we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us (cf. Rom 8:18).
Novena to St. Peregrine
O glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine, you answered the divine call with a ready spirit, forsaking all the comforts of a life of ease and all the empty honours of the world, to dedicate yourself to God in the Order of his most Holy Mother. You laboured courageously for the salvation of souls, meriting the title of 'Apostle of Emilia. In union with Jesus Crucified, you patiently endured the most painful sufferings and so deserved to be healed miraculously from an incurable wound in your leg with a touch of His divine hand.
Obtain for us, we pray, the grace to answer every call from God. Enkindle in our hearts a consuming zeal for the salvation of souls. Deliver us from the infirmities that so often afflict our weakened bodies. And obtain for us the grace of perfect resignation to the sufferings which our merciful God allows us to endure. So may we, imitating your virtues and tenderly loving our crucified Lord and his sorrowful Mother, merit glory everlasting in Paradise. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory
Prayer to St. Peregrine
O God, Who gave St. Peregrine an angel for his companion, the Mother of God for his Teacher, and Jesus for the Physician of his infirmity, Grant, we beg Thee through his merits, that on earth we may intensely love our holy angel, the Blessed Virgin, and our Saviour, and in Heaven bless them forever. Grant that we may receive the favour we now ask. . . . Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory with the
invocation: St. Peregrine - pray for us
Litany in Honour of St. Peregrine
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. .
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven - have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world - have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit - have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God - have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God - pray for us.
Mother of Sorrows - pray for us.
Health of the sick - pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted - pray for us.
Help of Christians - pray for us.
St. Peregrine - pray for us.
Converted by the prayers of St. Philip - pray for us.
Afflicted with a cancerous growth - pray for us.
Completely cured by the outstretched hand of Jesus Crucified - pray for us.
Who performed many miracles in your lifetime - pray for us.
Who multiplied food and drink - pray for us.
Who cured the sick by the power of the Name of Jesus - pray for us.
Who converted hardened sinners by prayer and fasting - pray for us.
Who receive every favour you ask of God - pray for us.
Most confident in prayer - pray for us.
Most austere in penance - pray for us.
Most patient in suffering - pray for us.
Most humble in the holy priesthood - pray for us.
Most zealous for souls - pray for us.
Most kind toward the afflicted - pray for us.
Most devoted to the passion of Jesus and the sorrows of Mary - pray for us.
Victim with Jesus and Mary for the salvation of souls - pray for us.
Wonder-worker for the sick and diseased - pray for us.
Hope of incurable cases - pray for us.
Universal patron of all who suffer from cancer - pray for us.
Beloved Patron of Spain - - pray for us.
Glory of the Order of the Servants of Mary - pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world - spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world - graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world - have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Peregrine,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, be gracious and hear the prayers which we present to Thee in honour of St. Peregrine, Thy beloved servant. May we who do not rely on our own merits receive help in our needs through the intercession of him whose life was so pleasing to Thee, Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Preparation for a Sick Call
1.-A small table covered with a clean white cloth.
2.-On the table:
(a) a Crucifix;
(b,) two candles;
(c) holy water, with a sprinkler;
(d) a small vessel with clean drinking water;
(e) a white linen cloth for the use of the sick person when receiving Holy Communion.
Prayers For the Sick
Almighty and everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe in Thee, hear us on behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we humbly beg the help of Thy mercy, so that, being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Act of Resignation to the Will of God
My Father, I do not know what will happen to me today. I only know that nothing will happen to me that was not foreseen by Thee and directed to my greater good from all eternity. This is enough for me.
I adore Thy holy eternal and unfathomable plans. I submit to them with all my heart for love of Thee. I offer a sacrifice of everything to Thee and unite my sacrifice to that of my divine Saviour.
In His name and through His infinite merits, I ask Thee for patience in my sufferings and perfect submission to Thee so that everything Thou will or permit to happen will be for Thy glory Amen.
Prayer for a Happy Death
Lord, my Creator and Redeemer, with all my heart I accept my death according to Thy will and in a spirit of adoration. I want to die as a devout child of the Church and to go into eternity with the best dispositions of faith, of hope, of
charity and of sorrow for my sins.
I hope to renew, at least mentally, my baptismal promises.
O Lord, I offer Thee all the circumstances, even the most painful, which will accompany my passage to eternity in
reparation for my sins and to merit Heaven better.
I call upon the great patrons of a good death: Jesus Crucified, with whom I want to pronounce the words: 'Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit: our Mother Mary, so that she may 'pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death; and St. Joseph, that he may help me lead a holy life and merit a death similar to his.
O suffering Jesus, O sorrowful Mary, O St. Joseph, I ask Thee for these graces:
--- A good life in faithful observance of the commandments and of all the duties of my state in life, which will assure
me of a holy death.
--- The gift to receive, in the event of a serious sickness, the sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.
--- Correspondence to the gifts I have received, so that my life may be spent for the glory of God, and I may gain
eternal happiness.
--- Daily prayer which is necessary for salvation; in particular the frequent reception of the sacraments of confession and the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus Master, I believe in Thee.
Jesus Master, I hope in Thee.
Jesus Master, I love Thee.
Jesus Master, I invoke Thy mercy.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give Thee my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.
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Also
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http://www.stfrancismhd.org/index.cfm/NewsItem?ID=361174&From=Home
Novena to St. Peregrine
May 8 – May 16
May 8 – May 16
Daily Opening Prayer
O good St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from foot ailments, cancer, and incurable diseases, grant, we beseech you, relief from suffering to (name the names of the persons who are ill). In your compassion, we beg you to intercede with Our Lord Jesus Christ that mankind may soon find a cure for the dread disease of physical cancer as well as for the moral cancer which grips so much of our world today. Amen.
O good St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from foot ailments, cancer, and incurable diseases, grant, we beseech you, relief from suffering to (name the names of the persons who are ill). In your compassion, we beg you to intercede with Our Lord Jesus Christ that mankind may soon find a cure for the dread disease of physical cancer as well as for the moral cancer which grips so much of our world today. Amen.
Day 1 (May 8)
Reflection: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Mt 3:2)
Prayer: O great St. Peregrine, who were yourself converted from a violent and sinful life, grant that those who have strayed from the way of Christ may, like you, be given the grace to repent and amend their ways. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for us.
Reflection: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Mt 3:2)
Prayer: O great St. Peregrine, who were yourself converted from a violent and sinful life, grant that those who have strayed from the way of Christ may, like you, be given the grace to repent and amend their ways. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for us.
Day 2 (May 9)
Reflection: "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Mt 5:5)
Prayer: Good St. Peregrine, who bore the agonies of cancer patiently for so many years, grant us the courage and faith to stand up under our own sickness or weakness. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for our fortitude.
Reflection: "Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Mt 5:5)
Prayer: Good St. Peregrine, who bore the agonies of cancer patiently for so many years, grant us the courage and faith to stand up under our own sickness or weakness. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for our fortitude.
Day 3 (May 10)
Reflection: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." (Jn 14:27)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, as His priest, you dwelt for many years in peace in the House of the Lord. Intercede for us with Him, then, that this troubled world, torn by hatred and violence, may at last know the blessedness of peace with justice. Amen.
St. Peregrine, help us bring lasting peace to the world.
Reflection: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." (Jn 14:27)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, as His priest, you dwelt for many years in peace in the House of the Lord. Intercede for us with Him, then, that this troubled world, torn by hatred and violence, may at last know the blessedness of peace with justice. Amen.
St. Peregrine, help us bring lasting peace to the world.
Day 4 (May 11)
Reflection: "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt 4:19)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, you became a model priest and eloquent preacher. Grant us more vocations in these troubled times. Amen.
St. Peregrine, inspire more young men and women to follow in the footsteps of Christ just as you did.
Reflection: "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt 4:19)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, you became a model priest and eloquent preacher. Grant us more vocations in these troubled times. Amen.
St. Peregrine, inspire more young men and women to follow in the footsteps of Christ just as you did.
Day 5 (May 12)
Reflection: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you would not." (Mt 23:37)
Prayer: O St. Peregrine, just as you were cured from cancer of the body, intercede for us that the cancer of disregard for life may be removed from the world today. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that the people of the world may heed the teachings of Christ.
Reflection: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you would not." (Mt 23:37)
Prayer: O St. Peregrine, just as you were cured from cancer of the body, intercede for us that the cancer of disregard for life may be removed from the world today. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that the people of the world may heed the teachings of Christ.
Day 6 (May 13)
Reflection: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mk 10:14)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, as a youth you led a life of sin. May our Divine Lord grant that your own conversion may inspire our wayward young people today to change their lives as you did and return to Christ. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for our young people.
Reflection: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mk 10:14)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, as a youth you led a life of sin. May our Divine Lord grant that your own conversion may inspire our wayward young people today to change their lives as you did and return to Christ. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray for our young people.
Day 7 (May 14)
Reflection: "Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not." (Ps 70:9)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, God granted you the grace of a long and fruitful life. Ask Our Lord, Jesus Christ, to lighten the burden of so many of our aged today who are spending their twilight years in pain, sorrow, and loneliness. Amen.
St. Peregrine, bring comfort to our aged in their last days.
Reflection: "Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not." (Ps 70:9)
Prayer: St. Peregrine, God granted you the grace of a long and fruitful life. Ask Our Lord, Jesus Christ, to lighten the burden of so many of our aged today who are spending their twilight years in pain, sorrow, and loneliness. Amen.
St. Peregrine, bring comfort to our aged in their last days.
Day 8 (May 15)
Reflection: "They shall neither hunger nor thirst anymore." (Rev 7:16)
Prayer: O St. Peregrine, we ask you to heed the anguished cries of those dying from starvation throughout the world today, especially children and old people. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that relief may come to those who are suffering from hunger and thirst in body and soul.
Reflection: "They shall neither hunger nor thirst anymore." (Rev 7:16)
Prayer: O St. Peregrine, we ask you to heed the anguished cries of those dying from starvation throughout the world today, especially children and old people. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that relief may come to those who are suffering from hunger and thirst in body and soul.
Day 9 (May 16)
Reflection: "This day you shall be with Me in paradise." (Lk 23:42)
Prayer: Finally, O good St. Peregrine, we ask that you intercede for those whom God sees fit to call home. May they die in happiness and peace, confident that they will be with You forever in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that we may have strength and comfort in the hour of our death.
Reflection: "This day you shall be with Me in paradise." (Lk 23:42)
Prayer: Finally, O good St. Peregrine, we ask that you intercede for those whom God sees fit to call home. May they die in happiness and peace, confident that they will be with You forever in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Amen.
St. Peregrine, pray that we may have strength and comfort in the hour of our death.
Daily Closing Prayer
St. Peregrine, inspired by your own example of repentance, patience, and humility, help us remain faithful to our resolution to walk with renewed strength and vigor in the ways of Our Lord. And, if God wills, please obtain a cure of the illness of (mention names) through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
St. Peregrine, inspired by your own example of repentance, patience, and humility, help us remain faithful to our resolution to walk with renewed strength and vigor in the ways of Our Lord. And, if God wills, please obtain a cure of the illness of (mention names) through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.