Saint Peregrine Statue--"The Cancer Saint"--Luciana Collection

Saint Peregrine is known as "The Cancer Saint" whose intercession is sought when praying for healing for cancer victims. Born in 1265 in Forli, Italy, Peregrine was converted to a strong faith and joined the Order of the Servants of Mary under Saint Philip Ben1zi. He devoted his life to caring for the sick, poor, and marginalized. Because he stood so much when he could have sat down, he developed varicose veins, one of which led to an open sore on his leg which was diagnosed as cancer. The wound became so serious that a doctor declared that it must be amputated. On the night before the surgery, Peregrine preyed intensely before an image of Christ crucified and, when he awoke, the leg was totally healed. Peregrine lived another twenty years ministering to the people. Today he is invoked as a powerful heavenly intercessor for those suffering from cancer.