Patron Saint of Cancer

I have met a person who very much believes in doing good things and raising funds or comfort items for cancer patients. She had a family member who passed from the disease. When I mentioned about spiritual healing and incorporating prayer or meditation into their lives, she shot me down.

She despised people who immediately would include faith into recovery. I was a bit taken aback. Not by her lack of faith, but by the instant anger it sparked. She told me of the story the day her uncle was diagnosed. The person giving the news later began offering him prayers. She took it as forcing people to believe in something they may not believe in or want. I agree that not all people believe in prayer or even believe in God. However, CANCER is a scary word and whatever you believe in, the best medicine is hope. Getting your mind into hope mode whether or not you pray.

On my last visit to Lily Dale, NY, I was introduced to The Angel of Hope. My friend admired a lithograph all Summer. Each visit she would check the price, and it slowly reduced to the point where she was asked to make an offer. Well, The Angel of Hope returned to Pennsylvania with us. She now has a new name, Joan (Joan of arc) and a new home. Like myself, my friend does private healing sessions. She could not wait to get the lithograph home and in her office. The framed work of art just resonated with a lot of positive energy. Certainly, the kind of energy ones needs to heal. Again, a visual for creating a mindset of giving your worries up to Spirit or God.

I can say that from my own experience, that CANCER leaves you with all kind of negative thoughts. You worry about death, you worry about the treatment, you worry about your family, you worry about the finances and if that doesn't get you crying--the thought of losing your hair hits you. Your mind just keeps going on and on. Oh, and all this is after the doctor told you that there was a SLIGHT chance of CANCER, and it probably was NOT CANCER to begin with.

I have learned not to be alarmed or afraid of the word, CANCER. I know that I cannot get better or change the energy around my body, mind and soul being in a negative place. Fear is low, negative energy. Love is a high, positive energy. Choosing to be in peace and Blessing your enemies, giving your worries to the angels, spirit guides or God, speaking positively, thinking positively, appreciating everything, eating better and exercising are many ways to changed the energy around your life. Many of us know people who have had the same condition, and it is very easy to think that your story will be the same. Stay away from that frame of mind. Your CANCER is your story, and only you can change the outcome. Again, it is all about being in a positive state of mind.

So, for those of you who choose prayer, I give you St. Peregrine.

St. Peregrine was born in 1260 at Forlì, Italy to an affluent family. He lived a comfortable life as a youth, and politically opposed the papacy. After he experienced the forgiveness of St. Philip Benizi, he changed his life and joined the Servite order. He was ordained a priest, and later returned to his home to establish a Servite community. There he was widely known for his preaching, penances, and counsel in the confessional. He was cured of cancer, after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out His hand to touch his impaired limb. He died in 1345 and was canonized in 1726. He is the patron of cancer patients.

Information below is from this website address:

https://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/peregrine.htm

To St. Peregrine

Glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine, you answered the divine call with a ready spirit, and forsook all the comforts of a life of ease and all the empty honors of the world to dedicate yourself to God in the Order of His holy Mother.

You labored manfully for the salvation of souls. In union with Jesus crucified, you endured painful sufferings with such patience as to deserve to be healed miraculously of an incurable cancer in your leg by a touch of His divine hand.

Obtain for me the grace to answer every call of God and to fulfill His will in all the events of life. Enkindle in my heart a consuming zeal for the salvation of all men.

Deliver me from the infirmities that afflict my body (especially..................).

Obtain for me also a perfect resignation to the sufferings it may please God to send me, so that, imitating our crucified Savior and His sorrowful Mother, I may merit eternal glory in heaven. St. Peregrine, pray for me and for all who invoke your aid.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine 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. (Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying) 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.