\fsj ondW Soyd^s-/(^ vy A J- I I \ /rO’i'b^'0 .M St. Peregrine The Cancer Saint FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVOTION Compiled from Approved Sources and Arranged for Congregation Use by: Rev. Stephen M. Gibbons, O.S.M. In Honor of Copyright 1954 by the Servite Fathers, Chicago, III. Censor Deputatus Rev. Hugh M. Calkins, O.S.M. Socius Prior Provinciaiis Imprimi Potest Very Rev. Joseph M. Srill, O.S.M. Prior Provinciaiis American Province, Order of Servants of Mary imprimatur SAMUEL CARDINAL STRITCH Archbishop of Chicago, April 25, 1954 Copies of this booklet and also St. Peregrine statues, medals, prayer-leaflets, holy cards, etc., may be obtained from the: ST. PEREGRINE CENTER 3121 W. JACKSON BOULEVARD CHICAGO 12, ILL. ORDER OF THE PUBLIC SEPTENARY* • Congregation stands to sing the hymn — Come Holy Ghost. • Prayer for a special request. • Prayer for sick relatives and friends. • Indulgenced prayer to St. Peregrine. • Septenary prayers for each day (Firsf day. Second day, etc.). • Blessing of the sick present in the congregation. • Sermon. • Congregation sings a Marian hymn. • Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. • Congregation sings first Benediction hymn — O Salufaris Hostia. • Congregation recites prayer to St. Peregrine. • Congregation sings second Benediction hymn — Tantum Ergo. • Blessing from the Sacred Host. • The Divine Praises. • Congregation stands to sing the hymn — Holy God We Praise Thy Name. • Priest blesses the congregation with relic of St. Pere^ grine (individual or general, optional for priest). * SEPTENARY comes from the Latin word, sepfem, meaning seven. A Septenary may be made for seven consecutive days, weeks or months. 3 THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our d.^ily bread; and forgive us our tres- passes as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but de- liver us from evil. Amen. THE HAIL MARY Hail, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. GLORIA Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost * as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 4 SEPTENARY IN HONOR OF ST. PEREGRINE /Ghc Cancer Saint FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVOTION ItttrnJiturttott Christians do not receive what they seek it is solely because they lack faith/’ These words, so applicable in our age, were first spoken by a saint who today is universally acclaimed and venerated as the PATRON for CANCER VIC- TIMS. His name is St. Peregrine (rhymes with ter'- rapin). He was a member of the Order of Servants of Mary (Servites), which was founded in 1233 by seven saints to propagate devotion to the Sorrows of Mary. With dreaded cancer rapidly claiming the awesome title of number one scourge in America, far too many people are discouraged, see no relief from the mortal ravages of this disease. Thousands of people are suffer- ing from cancer; millions more have already bowed in death before its relentless gnawing. Providentially God has lighted a beacon of hope and courage against cancer for those cowering beneath its merciless pressure. For centuries Europeans have had a loyal devotion to, and singular confidence in, the power of St. Peregrine to remove so-called incurable diseases. Only recently, however, has his name and fame been brought to the attention of Americans. The need to introduce St. Peregrine, The Cancer Saint, to Americans was obviously growing. At last Novena Notes, publica- tion of the Sorrowful Mother Novena, told the forty- eight states about St. Peregrine. 5 In 1950 one, brief article was printed in Novena Notes titling him, The Cancer Saint. As a result over 60,000 requests for further information about The Cancer Saint were received at the Sorrowful Mother Novena office. To obtain St. Peregrine’s help we must pray to him; to pray to him we must know him. It is hoped that this pamphlet will serve to increase knowledge of the Patron Saint for Cancer Victims, that from knowl- edge will come love and from love, prayer; and from the mercy of God through the intercession of St. Peregrine first, protection against the dreaded disease; then, as the case may be, either a cure of cancer or strength to bear sufferings with Christ-like patience. This is the story of St. Peregrine, The Cancer Saint. THE SETTING In the Thirteenth Century men had a difficult time drawing a line between the spiritual and temporal power of the Pope. Without a doubt the Holy Father was a prince in no small measure. One of the Italian towns that refused to recognize either the spiritual or the civil rights of the Holy See was tiny but turbulent Forli, sit- uated on the Adriatic Sea. Into this hot-bed of political and spiritual rebellion was born Peregrine Laziosi, only son of a wealthy and civilly potent family in the year 1265. Encouraged by his father and reared in an at- mosphere of hostility Peregrine at an early age became a leader of the anti-Papal forces. When the city of Forli openly rebelled against the Holy Father, Pope Martin IV enrolled the aid of King John of Naples to quell the revolt. To show that this was no mere political skirmish but a revolution of a spiritual nature, the Pontiff put Forli under interdict. Neither physical power nor papal pressure could quell the fiery citizens of Forli. When even excommunication failed to open their blinded eyes, the Holy Father cast 6 about for some holy and inspiring man of God who would return the citizens to their senses. The Pontiff chose St. Philip Benizi, five times General of the Servite Order, oft-mentioned as future pope, and acclaimed throughout Europe a man of profound sanc- tity and persuasive oratory. St. Philip’s assignment was to bring Christ and peace back to Forli by his preaching and his example. Setting out for Forli with the ominous title of Papal Ambassador, St. Philip was to receive a welcome we might call distinctive, but hardly cordial. STICKS AND STONES At first the large crowd that had assembled listened in silence to the words of the monk who had chosen his text from the Psalms: ’'The Lord has reigned; the people are enraged.” But some of the more rowdy citizens, em- ploying tactics that the Communists use so effectively in mass gatherings today, had planted hoodlums at advan- tageous spots among the crowd. They began to heckle and jeer the holy man, poked fun at his voice, ridiculed everything he said. When St. Philip continued to preach unperturbed, the rowdy youths fell back on strong-arm methods. They dragged him off the rostrum, beat him with clubs and rocks and drove him beyond the city gates. Carried away by the heat of the moment, the leader of the gang. Peregrine by name, as a parting gesture struck St. Philip a vicious blow on the face, St. Philip bore the violence and insults with patience and thereby garnered a future saint. All Forli hailed tough Peregrine for his recklessness. But the youth, upon returning home, strangely failed to share their enthusiasm. Without provocation he had raised his hand against a priest, against a defenseless holy man. He had struck a personal representative of the Pope. And to climax matters St. Philip had borne the attack with Christ-like kindness. 7 In an act of blind fury Peregrine had struck Philip but the blow hurt Peregrine more than the victim. It boom- eranged and turned a revolutionist into a saint. Tearing himself away from his friends, Peregrine set out in haste to overtake St. Philip and to beg his forgiveness. A SAINrS TOUCH When St. Philip saw him coming he paused to await his arrival. Peregrine fell on his knees before the gentle saint, his brutality suddenly mastered, his heart burning within him at the loathsomeness of his recent violence. Perhaps, St. Philip saw the capacity for love in the ebul- lient nature of Peregrine, the excellent chance for con- version in the fiery but restless character of this young man, the sincerity of his sorrow. St. Philip appealed to him to reform his life, to abandon his sacrilegious hatred for God, separate himself from the rowdy companions who had given so much hurt to Church and State. Then Philip suggested a remedy for Peregrine, a 'Triend’' who would give him the grace and courage to put his reform into action ... .a tender, persevering devotion to the Mother of Sorrows. And the advice worked wonders. Peregrine reformed his life, avoided all political agitation, kept clear of the radical gangsters he had once led in acts of vio- lence and desecration. More and more of his time was spent in prayer, in meditation before the altar of the Blessed Virgin. The jeers of his former companions, their cries of "hypocrite, bigot, coward," must have raised his blood pressure, but Our Lady did not fail him. She gave Peregrine the strength to suffer, the patience to be silent because she had great plans for the ardor that consumed his soul. The desire to become a saint was in Peregrine’s blood, the raw material for sainthood was there, too . . . Our Lady knew that. And this is what she did to turn the desire into reality, to carve sanctity out of shapeless mediocrity. 8 HEAVENLY INVITATION One day Peregrine was praying with unusual fervor in the cathedral of Forli before the altar of the Virgin. Suddenly the Queen of Heaven appeared to him in all the splendor of her glory, covered with a magnificent mantle, surrounded by a great host of angels. This is what she said to Peregrine: ^'Look at me, my son, be- cause I ardently desire that you direct your steps in the way of the commandments of Jesus Christ; it is for this reason that I have willed to show myself to you and to allow you to look upon something of the glory that has been given me.” Peregrine was frightened deeply.* But the Virgin spoke again, even more gently, ”Don’t be afraid my son. 1 am the Mother of Him you adore on the Cross; it is He who has sent me to you to indicate to you the way of eternal happiness.” ”Behold my heart,” answered Peregrine, his fears now at rest. ”See it, O Qjieen of Heaven. I give it to you and consecrate it to you forever. 1 am ready to obey your every command since 1 have always desired above every other thing, never to go against your will. You com- mand, therefore, my Queen, and I will obey you with promptness and from a good heart.” ”If that is so, my loyal servant,” replied Our Lady, ”go to Siena. Your name is Peregrine, you shall be that in reality (Vtttgtmus in Latin, Pellegrino in Italian, sig- nifies a traveller, a stranger) . In Siena you will seek out the Servants of Mary and you will ask the honor of being admitted amongst them. There you will do pen- ance for your sins and I promise to protect you altvays and to help you save your sotd.” RADICAL TO RELIGIOUS The conversion of Peregrine from' radical to religious was completed, but even greater perfection would be demanded of this young man before he could claim his 10 heavenly crown. The seed planted by the patient St. Philip would grow rapidly and bring forth fruits of sanctity far beyond his fondest dreams. Our Sorrowful Mother can work wonders. And some of her miraculous power she would choose to share with Peregrine. She would make him known far and wide as the wonder- worker, the saint with power to heal hopeless victims of dreaded diseases, the PATRON for CANCER PATIENTS. Peregrine wasted no time in accepting Our Lady’s invitation to become her servant in the Servite Order. By a divine coincidence it was St. Philip himself who clothed Peregrine in the Servite habit at Siena. Hewing closely to the rules and constitution of the Servite Order, zealous Peregrine made giant strides along the path of perfection. Humble beyond words he consented to become a priest only through obedience. A model priest, a fervent religious, with boundless zeal for souls. Peregrine found his first appointment a real challenge. He was commissioned to reestablish the Servite monastery in his home-town of Forli since the original foundation had been forced to close because of secular opposition. It was hardly a "local boy makes good" type of homecoming. One of his biographer’s has described the scene; "Relatives weeping with consolation, friends partly ashamed, partly astonished, enemies at a distance, their lips curved in mocking smiles; the curious, cautious lookers-on; the nobles outside the crowd in consultation among themselves whether or not the name of the de- generate Laziosi should be struck from the city’s roll of honor." But able Peregrine won the day and later by his zealous labors among the poor, the sick and the sin- ful, he became the top citizen of Forli in the hearts of all the people. When a calamitous plague struck Forli in 1323 it was the day-and-night efforts of Peregrine’s abundant charity that assured him of the undying devo- tion of this city. 11 WHY CANCER SAINT? God rewarded this fervent servant of His mother with miraculous powers that to us seem almost unbelievable. Sickness of soul and body vanished in his presence. He multiplied bread and wine, breathed the name of "Jesus” over the afflicted and they were cured. By prayer and fasting he corrected hardened sinners and at one time won over to God’s side forty outlaws who had been the terror of the countryside. In the hospital at Forli there are still to be seen several frescoes depicting Peregrine as he administered to the sick, a public testimonial to his love and devotion to Christ’s suffering brethren. In reparation for the sins of his past life Peregrine spent sixty-two years of incredible, voluntary penance in religious life. Still God was not satisfied. God wanted to add His own pain to this man wfflo was an intimate follower of His Sorrowful Mother. God per- mitted a cancerous growth to gnaw away at Peregrine’s leg. It consumed the flesh to the bone, gave off such a horrible stench no one dared approach him. The doctor commanded immediate amputation. This decision upset Peregrine in only one way . . v it might mean the loss of a splendid opportunity for suffering in union with his Sorrowful Queen for his own sins and the sins of the world. But Peregrine decided to place all his anxiety in the hands of Christ. The night before the scheduled operation, while others slept, he dragged himself little by little down to the chapter room and ^prostrate before a crucifix . . . it’s still venerated there ... he resigned himself to the Divine Will. Peregrine fell asleep and in a dream Christ seemed to reach out from the cross and touch his diseased leg. On awakening Peregrine knew it was more than a dream. His leg was so completely healed not even a tiny trace of the cancer remained. Since that time the number of sudden, miraculous cures . . . cures from running sores, ulcers, cancer, whatever you care to call them . . . won 12 for St. Peregrine the title of official patron for cancer victims. DEATH AND CANONIZATION His once robust constitution was worn down by years of rigorous mortification and as his heart had long since detached itself from the world, God called St. Peregrine home on May 1, 1345. It was his eightieth birthday. Long before his death St. Peregrine had acquired an ex- tensive reputation for sanctity but the city was in an uproar at the miracles that occured while his body was still exposed in church, a blind man restored to sight at the saint’s coffin, another who was dying from a serious fall immediately restored to health. Even when his body had been buried Peregrine continued to heal incurable diseases of those who invoked him. It is noteworthy that the greatest number of miracles recorded through the intercession of St. Peregrine took place during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when his cause for canonization was under investigation, as though God was making easier the decision of the judges. After a strict examination of his virtuous life and of the many authenticated miracles he wrought. Peregrine was beati- fied in 1609. Then in 1726 Pope Benedict XIII sol- emnly canonized him in company with St. John of the Cross. His feast is observed on May 2. Peregrine had ignored the yearnings of his body for pleasure and gratification; he had mastered the flesh. But after death God saw fit to endow the body of St. Peregrine with glory and honor. In the years I6O8, 1697, and 1715 when his remains were exhumed for inspection the body was found intact, exhaling so sweet a scent no earthly fragrance was comparable to it. Only the back and ribs were free of flesh; these had been taken for preparation of relics. In 1926, the second centenary of the canonization of St. Peregrine, the Bishop of Forli again examined the body and found it nearly perfect in all its parts. 14 Today pious visitors may venerate the body of St. Peregrine in his own church of Forli. Recently Pope Pius XII paid the saint a signal honor by declaring him the patron saint of Forli. PROOF POSITIVE Only God knows the countless miracles that have been worked on those who pray to St. Peregrine but the two official miracles approved in the process of canon- ization will serve to convince even the most faithless that St. Peregrine has influence before God and Our Sorrow- ful Mother: 1) A child, Alessandro Boccadori, became crippled at the age of four, unable to work or even stand without crutches. After six years of suffering when all medical aid had failed, the child one day made his way to the altar of St. Peregrine. With youthful simplicity he prayed: Brother Peregrine, here are my crutches for you. I leave them for you and put them on your altar. I don’t want them any longer.” Then placing the crutches on the altar he quietly walked out of church. Hastening home he met his father on the street. See- ing his son standing unsupported the surprised but joy- ful father exclaimed: ”What have you done with your crutches?” ”I gave them to Peregrine to keep,” was the simple answer. When an immediate visit to the church confirmed the boy’s story the news of the miracle spread like wild-fire. 2) The second official miracle occured during the Jubilee Year of 1700. Father Francesco Armingioni, a parish priest of Gastello, had come to Rome to gain the indulgences. When walking in St. Peter’s Square he was seized with an intense pain in his leg. An examination dis- closed he was suffering from a tumor and he was ad- vised to return home for treatment. 15 His own physician diagnosed the case as a cancer of the worst type. The disease spread rapidly and on the advice of the doctor a Servite Father blessed the priest with a relic of St. Peregrine. About midnight the priest awoke and saw a vision of St. Peregrine. Early the next morning when the bandages were removed, nothing of the cancer could be detected. ST. PEREGRINE^S MISSION Seeking pleasure, shunning pain has blinded the eyes of many to the true value of suffering. A constant, per- severing devotion to St. Peregrine, The Cancer Saint, will open our eyes. When Christ reached down from the Cross and miraculously healed Peregrine’s leg it was not the saint’s wish but God’s will. Perhaps God wanted us to learn more from Peregrine’s acceptance of his pain- ful disease than from the miracle that removed it. Christ will acknowledge none for His disciples but crucified men. The true mission of St. Peregrine in America will not be necessarily to heal all cancer victims, but rather to teach all the value of pain so that their sufferings may not be wasted, spilled down the drains of eternity with no profit to them. Discouragement should not follow if St. Peregrine does not miraculously effect a cure. Who knows Maybe God is saving that miracle for someone whose faith is less strong. It is certain that all who place trust in St. Peregrine will receive an answer to prayers ... if it is God’s will. Ask St. Peregrine to teach you how to remain on your own particular cross of pain and sickness until in His good time God releases you. 1 16 OFFICIAL SEPTENARY PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. PEREGRINE (Feast Day, May 2) Priest: We shall begin the Septenary service by standing and singing the hymn— Come Holy Ghost. COME HOLY GHOST Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest. And in our hearts take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid. To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. To fill the hearts which Thou hast made. Priest: Now we kneel to recite aloud the official Septenary prayers: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER TO ST. PEREGRINE FOR A SPECIAL REQUEST O glorious St. Peregrine, Apostle of Our Lady of Sorrows, you who had such great faith that she obtained for you all that you asked of God, * you who were so profoundly humble that until commanded by your superiors refused Holy Orders, * you whose patience was so perfect, that when you begged Jesus Cruci- fied, the cure of cancer, your cancer, * you asked that the suffering remain, * through the ineffable joys that you now experience as a reward for your virtue * and your submission to the Will of God, imprint deep in our hearts and souls these same dispositions of faith, humility and submission to the Divine Will, 17 so that we may obtain from the Omnipotent God the favors that we ask. (Pause here and silently recall the favors you are asking through the intercession of St. Peregrine.) To whom shall we go if not to you, * who bore in your own flesh this disease, * you who were cured by Our Lord Himself? * The ex- ample of your life and your virtue will lead us to Our Lady, * who is our life, our sweetness and our hope, * and thus we shall obtain all we ask, through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. FOR SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS O great St. Peregrine, you who 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, * you who for so many years 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 who was favored with the vision of Jesus com- ing down from His Cross to heal this cancer, * ask of God and Our Lady, * the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you. (Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick persons for whom you are praying.) Aided in this way by your powerful interces- sion, * we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, * a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen. INDULGENCED PRAYER TO ST. PEREGRINE O glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine, * you who answered the divine call with a 18 ready spirit, * forsaking 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 most holy Mother; * you who labored manfully for the salvation of souls, * meriting the title of “Apostle of Emilia”; * you, who in union with Jesus Crucified, en- dured the most painful sufferings with such patience * as to deserve to be healed miracu- lously by Him with a touch of His divine hand from an incurable wound in your leg: * obtain for us, we pray, * the grace to answer every call from God; * enkindle in our hearts a con- suming zeal for the salvation of souls ; * deliver us from the infirmities that so often afflict our wretched bodies; * and give us the grace of perfect resignation to the sufferings which it shall please Him to send us; * so we may, by imitating your virtues and tenderly loving our Crucified Lord and His Sorrowful Mother, * be enabled to merit glory everlasting in paradise. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, St, Peregrine, Pray for us. SEPTENARY PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY FIRST DAY 0 glorious St. Peregrine, model of perfect virtue, * who so promptly answered the divine call, leaving at once the honors, comforts, and riches of the world, * when, prostrate before the image of Mary in the Cathedral of Forli crav- ing her powerful protection, * you were called by her to become her Servant; * obtain for me, I beseech you, an understanding heart, * yield- ing to all the inspirations of God, * that de- tached from all the goods and pleasures of the 19 world, * I may ever be ready to fulfill the divine Will. SECOND DAY O fortunate St. Peregrine, who by your readi- ness and fervor in answering the divine call, * merited to receive an angel as your guide on the way to Siena, * whither you were going to beg admission amongst the Servants of Mary; * obtain for me, I beseech you, * that I may be assisted by my good angel in all my works, * and be enlightened, directed and guided by him on my way to eternal life. THIRD DAY How pleasing to Heaven, O great St. Pere- grine, * was the sacrifice which you made of your soul and body to God, * by embracing evangelical poverty * and renouncing your own will and the pleasures of sense, in the religious life! * God deigned to show how well pleased He was in you, * and how great was your fervor * when receiving the sacred livery of the Serv- ants of Mary, * by causing a miraculous ball of fire to stand visibly above your head, * an emblem of that eminent sanctity with which you would shine in the Church of Jesus Christ. * Obtain for me, I beseech you, O great Saint, * a share of that holy fire, to consume in me all earthly affection, * that I may seek nothing and desire nothing but the love of my God. FOURTH DAY O faithful Servant of Mary, St. Peregrine, * how generously you persevered unto the end in the way of virtue and holiness! * Instant in 20 prayer, rigid in fast and abstinence, stern to bring your body under subjection, * you be- came to your brethren a living example of pen- ance. Repenting once and for all the sins of your youth and ignorance, you afterwards so abhorred sin, * that you merited to live ever pure and without stain to the end of your days on earth. * May I imitate you, O great Saint, * and truly contrite for my grievous sins, * may I obtain, through your intercession, mercy and pardon from God, * and grace never more to be subdued by my evil passions; * that, con- stant in my resolve always to serve my God, * I may continue faithful unto death, and win the crown of life. FIFTH DAY O most holy and humble Peregrine, * great indeed were your merits, * yet you always ful- filled the lowliest office towards your brethren, nor would you have deigned to ascend to the priesthood, * save under obedience at the ex- press command of your superiors. * Obtain for me, I beseech you, * true humility of heart, * whereby, far from the honors of high places of the world, * my life may be hid with Christ in God, and be made worthy of His grace and heavenly favor. SIXTH DAY O St. Peregrine, unconquered in patience, * who bore without a murmur the contradictions and insults of men, * and not content with your rigorous penances, * asked for greater suffer- ings, and endured in silence the acute pain of an incurable sore * granted in answer to your prayer; * how lovingly did our Crucified 21 Savior reward your faith and long suffering, when, by a miracle unheard of before, * He healed your cruel sore, touching it with His divine hand ! * Obtain for me, I beseech you, * that I too, exercising myself in patience and in the mortification of my senses, * may so expiate my sins, * that I may share in those consola- tions which you enjoy in Paradise. SEVENTH DAY O holy apostle St. Peregrine, * full of zeal for the conversion of sinners, * and never wearied in preaching the divine word, * you brought them back to penance and promoted the honor and glory of God in all the land, * the Lord working withal and confirming the word with signs and miracles. * Obtain, I beseech you, * that, not content with working out my own sanctification, * I may seek also to sanctify my neighbor * by good example, by incessant prayer, and brotherly counsel. * Happy me, if I could thus promote the glory of God on earth, * and have my part with you and all the Saints * in the eternal glory of heaven! 22 BLESSING FOR THE SICK THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. PEREGRINE LATIN V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit coelum et terram. V. Domine exaudi oratio- nem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad Te veniat. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. OREMUS: Dominus Jesus Christus, Dei et Beatae Mariae Vir- ginis filius, mundi salus et Domini, sit nobis clemens et propitius; ac per merita et intercessionem ejusdem Beatae Mariae Virginis Matris Suae, beati Pere- grini Confessoris ac Servi sui, totiusque curiae cael- estis, liberet nos ab omni plaga et a qualibet infirm- itate, detque nobis salutem mentis et corporis, ad laudem et gloriam sui sanctissimi nominis. Amen. Per intercessionem Be- atae Mariae Virginis, et Sancti Peregrini, liberet VOS Deus a praesenti in- firmitate et ab omnibus malis mentis et corporis, in nomine Patris, et Filii, ^1 et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. ENGLISH Priest: Our help is in the name of the Lord. People: Who made heaven and earth. Priest: O Lord, hear my prayer. People : And let my cry come unto Thee. Priest: The Lord be with you. People : And with thy spirit. LET US PRAY: (Priest Only) May the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saviour and Master of the world, be merciful and favorable to us; and may He free us from every tragedy and from any sickness through the mer- its and intercession of the same Blessed Virgin Mary, His mother, through Saint Peregrine, confessor and servant, and through all the heavenly powers; and may He grant us health of mind and body for the praise and glory of His Most Holy Name. Amen. Through the intercession of Blessed Mary the Vir- gin, and Saint Peregrine, may God free you from your present sickness and from all evils of soul and body, in the name of the Father and of the Son ^ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 23 Sermon .... Marian Hymn .... O SALUTARIS HOSTIA O Salutaris Hostia, Quae coeli pandis ostium. Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium. Uni Trinoque Domino, Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino. Nobis donet in patria. Amen. O SALUTARIS HOSTIA O Saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heaven to man below! Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply; Thy strength bestow. To Thy great name by endless praise, Immortal Godhead, One in Three! Oh, grant us endless length of days In our true native land with Thee. Amen. PRAYER TO ST. PEREGRINE Benediction O God, Who gave to St. Peregrine an Angel for his companion, * the Mother of God for his Teacher, * and Jesus for the Physician of his malady; * grant, we beseech Thee, * through his merits, we may on earth intensely love our holy Angel, * the Blessed Virgin, and our Sav- ior, * and in heaven bless them forever. * Grant that we may receive the favor for which we 24 now petition. * Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (To be recited here by the congregation at Benediction between O Salutaris and Tantum Ergo) TANTUM ERGO Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui; Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui; Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque, Laus et jubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio; Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Priest: Panem de coelo praestitisti eis. (Alleluja.) People: Omne delectamentum in se habentem. (Alleluja.) Priest: Oremus. Deus qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili pass- ionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos Corporis et Sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari; ut redemp- tionis tuae fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculofum. People: Amen. Tantum Ergo Down in adoration falling, Lo, the Sacred Host we hail. Lo, o’er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son who reigns on high. With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from Each eternally; 25 Be salvation, honor, blessing. Might, and endless majesty. Amen. Priest: Thou hast given them bread from heaven. (Alleluja.) People: Replenished with all sweetness and delight. (Alleluja.) Priest: LET US PRAY : O God, Who has left us a remem- brance of Thy passion beneath the veils of this Sacrament; grant us, we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood that we may enjoy the eternal fruits of Thy redemption: Thou who lives and reigns world without end. People: Amen. The Divine Praises (Repeat aloud after the Priest) Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His most Sacred Heart. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacra- ment of the altar. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste Spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels, and in His Saints. 26 HOLY GOD, WE PRAISE THY NAME Holy God, we praise Thy Name, Lord of all, we bow before Thee; All on earth Thy sceptre claim. All in Heav’n above adore Thee, Infinite, Thy vast domain Everlasting is Thy reign Infinite, Thy vast domain Everlasting is Thy reign. Blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine. For Private Recitation Only PRAYER TO OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF ST. PEREGRINE O my dearest Mother Mary, Mother of Sor- rows, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. I have come to plead for this special favor through the intercession of your faithful servant, St. Peregrine. (Recall Your Requests) O Sorrowful Mother, I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s Will in all things. Therefore, with child-like trust I abandon myself to God’s Holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul. Sweet Mother of Sorrows, I love you. I put all my confidence in you, because your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Peregrine, whom you have led to sainthood, hear and grant my prayer. Amen. 27 PRAYER TO ST. PEREGRINE O glorious St. Peregrine, true model of conversion to God, when once you gave yourself to Him, you became so steadfast in His service that no scorn could shake your constancy, so fervent that you spent long hours in prayer, so devout to the Queen of Heaven that she ap- peared to you and called you to join the Order of her Servants;- and, when a religious, not satisfied with a most penitential life, you were constantly entreating our Crucified Savior to make you partaker of His sufferings, and He, in answer to your prayer, sent you a most pain- ful cancer, which you bore with heroic patience, thus deserving that Christ Himself, stretching out His hand from the cross, should cure you most wonderfully. Obtain for me, I beseech you, to return at last from my wicked ways, and do penance for my sins, and henceforward to lead a holy and fervent life! May I also, after your example, love most tenderly our Crucified Redeemer, and for love of Him bear patiently all the tribula- tions, sufferings and infirmities which may be- fall me. And when life is over, may I, like you, who were called to your reward by Mary herself and your spiritual father, St. Philip, die the death of the faithful servants of Mary, assisted by her and by you, my loving protector. Amen. LITANY IN HONOR 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. 29 God, the Father of heaven, God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Sorrows, Health of the sick. Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, St. Peregrine, Afflicted with a cancerous growth. Completely cured by the out- stretched hand of Jesus Crucified, Who performed many mir- acles in your lifetime. Who multiplied food and drink. Who cured the sick by the power of the Name of Jesus, Who converted hardened sin- ners by prayer and fasting. Who receives every favor you ask of God, Most austere in penance, Most patient in suffering. Most humble in the Holy Priesthood, Most zealous for souls, , Most kind toward the afflicted. Most devoted to the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of Mary, \ > Pray for us. 30 Victim with Jesus and Mary for the salvation of souls, Wonder-worker for the sick and diseased, Hope of incurable cases. Universal patron of those afflicted with cancer and running sores. Beloved Patron of Spain, Holy Patron of Forli 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. Priest: Pray for us O glorious Saint Peregrine, People : That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY O God, graciously hear the prayers which we present to You in honor of St. Peregrine, Your beloved serv- ant and Patron of .Cancer patients, so that we, who do not rely on our own merits, "may receive help in our needs through the intercession of him whose life had been so pleasing to You. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 31 PRAYERS FROM THE MASS IN HONOR OF ST. PEREGRINE, THE CANCER SAINT (Collect) O God, who gave to St. Peregrine an angel for a companion, Thy Mother for a Teacher, and Jesus to be the Physician of his repulsive sore; grant, we earnestly beseech Thee through his merits that we may have a singular love for the holy Angel, the Virgin and the Savior here upon earth and abounding praise for them in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen. (Secret) Bless, O merciful God, these offered sacrifices; and, as St. Peregrine before celebrating them mourned his sins with bitter tears, so by Thy gifts we will be truly contrite and weep over our sins and thus put out the fire of punishment due them. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Postcommunion) We who have been refreshed implore Thee, O God: that as Thou hast made St. Peregrine a noble exam- plar of penance and admirable patience, so Thou would grant us repentance. Thus, by being patient in trials, we would follow in his footsteps upon earth, and have Thee, one day, as our reward in heaven. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. 32 HYMN TO ST. PEREGRINE Great the virtues which he showed, He whose brow with glory glowed, When God’s Mother gave him grace ’Mid her own to find his place. To the cross he firmly clung. Wept the wounds that Jesus wrung, Mary’s Sorrows fired his heart. Till he shared her bitter smart. Herald he of words that win Hardened sinners back from sin. Robber bands he drew by love. Suppliants of heaven above. Did the poor his bounty crave. Largess beyond hope he gave; For, at once at Jesus’ touch. Scanty food was turned to much. He, whatever pains oppressed. Never laid him down to rest; Standing, fasting, worked for God, Bruised his body with the rod. When his limb in peril stood, Christ, in pity, from the rood Reached His hand and all the wound Healed, the flesh grew sweet and sound. Glory, laud, and honor be To Three in one and One in Three: May His servant aid to bring Us to heaven to see the King. Amen.