Novena
Novena to Saint Peregrine, Patron of the Sick
Nine-day novena · begins 22 April, ending on the eve of his feast, 1 May
Nine days of prayer to the Servite friar who was cured of a cancer of the leg on the eve of its amputation, and who is invoked by those suffering from cancer and other grave illness. The received prayer asks for healing and, in the same breath, for perfect resignation to whatever suffering God permits.
Background
Peregrine Laziosi (c. 1265-1345) opposed the Church as a young man in Forli and struck St. Philip Benizi, who answered by turning the other cheek; converted, he entered the Servite Order and spent his life in penance and service of the poor. Tradition holds that on the night before his leg was to be amputated he prayed before a crucifix and awoke healed. He was canonised in 1726 and is kept on 1 May. This is a private devotion. The received form repeats one prayer on each of the nine days; the day-by-day subjects below are editorial and the prayer is unaltered. The Church never promises a cure, and this novena is rightly prayed alongside, not instead of, medical care and the Anointing of the Sick.
Days
Intention
healing for the sick, and the grace to accept whatever God permits
Usually begun
22 April, ending on the eve of his feast, 1 May
Structure
nine_days
Duration
9 days
Content subtype
full_novena