AKA: Healing Cancer, People with Cancer
There are an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and over 600,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. It was the 2nd leading cause of death in the US according to the CDC. The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum, and prostate cancers.
Being a cancer patient can be a challenging and difficult experience, both physically and emotionally. Cancer treatment can involve a range of procedures, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, and these can take a toll on the body, not to mention the soul. Patients may experience nasty side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and severe pain. Emotionally, patients may also struggle with feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. Cancer patients often must make difficult decisions about their treatment options especially those who are well advanced and looking into palliative care. Many people find strength, spiritual support and even healing by praying to the beloved Patron Saint of Cancer Patients asking him for his intercessory powers.
Who is the Patron Saint of Cancer Patients
When it comes to cancer, the most popular and official Patron Saint of Cancer Patients is St. Peregrine Laziosi. There are other saints for specific cancers like breast cancer. For those very bad, late-stage cancer sufferers, you could pray to St. Jude, the Patron Saint of Lost Causes.
St. Peregrine was in the Chapel of the Virgin Mary in the Forli Italy Cathedral when he was visited by Mary. She told him to go to Siena and join the Servite order. He did so and was ordained a priest. After many years, he developed cancer in his leg which caused severe pain and an unsightly, open wound that made it very hard for people to be around him. Doctors had decided to amputate his leg which was a common treatment for cancer in medieval Europe. For most of the night before his scheduled surgery, Peregrine stood in front of a crucifix praying. He eventually fell asleep and had a dream of Jesus coming down from the cross and touching his cancerous leg. When he awoke, his leg was miraculously healed. His amazed doctors could not find any trace of his cancer. So well-known is his miraculous healing that today the National Shrine of St. Peregrine in Chicago holds a monthly Mass for the Sick along with his relics. He is known far and wide as the cancer saint.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Cancer Patients
Saint Peregrine Cancer Healing Novena
It is too long to post here but you can find the St. Peregrine Cancer Healing Novena here.
Prayer to St. Peregrine for Sick Relatives and Friends
O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty", "The Wonder Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have turned to you in their need. For so many years, you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being.
You turned to God when the power of human beings could do no more, and you were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction. I now ask God to heal these sick persons whom I entrust to you:
(mention their names here)
Aided by your powerful intercession, I shall sing with Mary a hymn of gratitude to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
Prayer to St. Peregrine for One Suffering From Cancer
Dear St. Peregrine, I need your help. I feel so uncertain of my life right now. This serious illness makes me long for a sign of God's love. Help me to imitate your enduring faith when you faced the ugliness of cancer and surgery. Allow me to trust the Lord the way you did in this moment of distress. I want to be cured, but right now I ask God for the strength to bear the cross in my life. I seek the power to proclaim God's presence in my life despite the hardship, anguish and fear I now experience.
O Glorious St. Peregrine, be an inspiration to me and petitioner of those needed graces from our loving Father. Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. Peregrine jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of cancer and be a symbol of your faith.
