Today we gather for this Votive Mass of Saint Peregrine. Saint Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and other illnesses.
Therefore, I welcome those gathered here who have been effected by cancer in some way. Those who currently suffer from it, those who are survivors, those who are their family and friends, and those who are their caregivers.
Saint Peregrine finds his road to conversion by an interaction with Saint Philip where he actually hit him with a club. This interaction led to Saint Peregrine’s eventual conversion and joining the Servite Order. While in the monastery he took upon himself harsh penances to atone for his past misdeeds.
One day Saint Peregrine noticed a growth upon his leg. Eventually he agreed to the doctor’s desire to amputate. This taking place some 600 years before anesthesia this surgery could easily be a very grim affair. The night before his surgery Saint Peregrine made his way into the chapter room of the monastery and there he prayed before a fresco of the crucifixion. Here Christ came to touch his foot and to heal him of his ailment.
With Saint Peregrine a great miracle was performed on his behalf. Nevertheless, the important part of his story is the fact that he was a faithful servant of God who placed his unconditional trust in God. We currently find ourself in the season of Easter. Here the disciples of the Lord slowly come to understand and believe in the Resurrection. They who have struggled in the midst of death come to be healed for they encounter this great light spoken of in Saint John’s Gospel.
To those who have been effected by cancer or any other ailment we too must join with the disciples in coming to discover and believe in this great light. Saint Peregrine is a perfect patron because he leads by the example of being a faithful servant and placing one’s unconditional trust in the hands of the Lord. With all serious ailments there is the feeling that we have lost control of life, but we must realize that with Christ and His cross we have gained life. May we, despite all that may lay ahead, in this vale of tears, place our unconditional trust in the hands of the Lord.
