In times of illness, especially one as frightening as cancer, many people turn to prayer. The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of intercessory prayer—asking saints to pray for us—as well as directly petitioning God for healing. One such powerful prayer for healing is that of St. Peregrine, who is often invoked specifically for cancer patients. In this article, we will discuss the significance of this prayer, the life of St. Peregrine, and how the teachings of the Catholic Church inform our understanding of illness and healing.
Who Is St. Peregrine?
St. Peregrine Laziosi is known as the patron saint of cancer patients, and people who suffer from life-threatening illnesses often seek his intercession. He was an Italian saint of the Servite Order and lived during the 13th century. He was initially anti-Catholic and even attacked a priest, but a vision of Our Lady led him to convert to Catholicism and join the Servite Order. St. Peregrine was later diagnosed with cancer in his leg, and the night before his leg was to be amputated, he prayed fervently before a crucifix. Miraculously, he was healed, and from then on, he became a beacon of hope for those with serious illnesses.
The Theological Underpinning of Healing Prayers
The Catholic Church teaches that God is the ultimate healer. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states, “The Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism of healing so as to make manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord” (CCC 1508). Thus, the Church recognizes the power of God to heal through miraculous means.
Additionally, the Bible says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (James 5:14-15). This biblical teaching highlights that the Church has a role in praying for the sick and even expects miracles to occur through the power of prayer offered in faith.
What the Church Teaches About Intercession of Saints
Invoking the saints for their intercession is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. The Catechism explains, “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness…They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us” (CCC 956). St. Peregrine, as a recognized saint of the Church, intercedes on behalf of those who call upon him in prayer.
The Prayer to St. Peregrine
Here is the widely-used prayer to St. Peregrine for those suffering from cancer:
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 fibre 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.While the Church does not guarantee the miraculous healing of everyone who prays this prayer, it firmly believes in the power of intercessory prayer, and countless testimonies support the efficacy of this particular supplication.
Theological Considerations and Universal Teachings
It’s important to clarify that while many have found comfort and even miraculous healing through prayers like the one to St. Peregrine, the Catholic Church teaches that not all prayers for healing are answered in the way we might hope or expect. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Sometimes God’s plan includes allowing suffering for a greater good that we may not fully understand. It’s crucial to approach the subject of miraculous healing with both faith and humility.
Conclusion
Prayer, particularly for healing, is a powerful tool in the Catholic spiritual arsenal. St. Peregrine’s prayer for healing from cancer has been a source of comfort and hope for many, aligned with the Church’s teachings on the power of intercession and healing through the grace of God. As you or your loved ones face the challenges of cancer or other illnesses, consider invoking St. Peregrine and joining your sufferings to Christ, who is the ultimate source of our healing and hope.