Saint Peregrine Laziosi
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Saint Peregrine Laziosi, born around 1260–1265 in Forlì, Italy, was a Servite friar whose dramatic conversion and miraculous cancer cure made him the patron saint of cancer patients. A rebellious youth in a Ghibelline family, he opposed the Church until, at 30, he struck a papal envoy—Saint Philip Benizi—only to repent at Philip’s forgiveness, joining the Servites c. 1295. Ordained a priest, he served in silence and penance, but at 60, a cancerous leg ulcer led him to pray before a crucifix; Christ appeared, healing him instantly. He died on May 1, 1345, at about 80–85, his sanctity already renowned.
Canonized on December 27, 1726, by Pope Benedict XIII, Peregrine’s feast day, May 1, honors his miracle and mercy, with his body enshrined in Forlì’s Basilica of San Pellegrino Laziosi, a pilgrimage site for the afflicted. Patron of cancer, AIDS, and skin disease sufferers, his life—chronicled by Servite records—blends repentance with hope, his leg wound an emblem of divine healing. His cult, strong among the sick, reflects a saint who turned from violence to grace, a beacon for those in bodily torment.
Biography
Birth
Saint Peregrine was born circa 1260–1265 in Forlì, Papal States, to a wealthy Ghibelline family—names unrecorded—opposed to papal rule. Exact dates vary due to scant records; his birth in a fractious city shaped his early defiance. Forlì’s tumult framed his origin.
His youth of privilege turned to rebellion, a prelude to a saint’s transformation.
Early Life
Peregrine’s youth was turbulent; a Ghibelline partisan, he rioted against papal authority in Forlì. Around 1295, at 30, he assaulted Philip Benizi during a peace mission, but Philip’s mercy—offering the other cheek—converted him. He joined the Servites soon after, seeking penance in Siena.
His early life pivoted from fury to faith, a radical shift to friarhood. Peregrine’s formative years were a sinner’s road to redemption.
Occupation
Peregrine’s occupation began as a Servite friar c. 1295, ordained later in Forlì. He served silently, avoiding shoes and preaching little, focusing on prayer and the poor. At 60, c. 1325, a cancerous leg wound—intended for amputation—was healed by Christ’s vision, sustaining his ministry until 1345.
His work was quiet service, ending in a miracle’s fame. Peregrine’s occupation was a penitent’s life of grace.
Vocation
Peregrine’s vocation emerged with conversion, a call to Servite life after striking Philip. Joining c. 1295, he embraced austerity, his cancer at 60 testing his faith—prayer before a crucifix brought healing, per tradition. He ministered decades more, a living testament.
His vocation peaked in Forlì, dying in 1345 with a healer’s aura. Peregrine’s life was a journey from sin to sanctity.
Death
Saint Peregrine met his end on May 1, 1345, in Forlì, dying at 80–85 of old age and illness in the Servite priory. His cancer healed, he faded peacefully, buried in the priory church—now a basilica. Crowds revered him, miracles soon noted.
His death birthed a cult, his tomb a healing shrine. Peregrine’s passing closed a life of redemption and wonder.
Significant events
- Converted after striking Philip Benizi, c. 1295.
- Joined Servites, c. 1295.
- Miraculous cancer healing, c. 1325.
- Died May 1, 1345.
Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process began post-1345 in Forlì, with local devotion to his healing spurring inquiries, formalized later.
Venerable
Declared Venerable by the 17th century (exact date unclear), his virtue recognized after cult growth.
Beatification
Beatified on September 11, 1702, by Pope Innocent XI in Rome, after a 1701 healing of a sick woman via prayers to Peregrine, verified by Church probe.
Canonization
Canonized on December 27, 1726, by Pope Benedict XIII in Rome, following a 1725 cure of a man’s tumor after prayers at his tomb, affirming his sanctity.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
In 1701, a Forlì woman, gravely ill, recovered after prayers to Peregrine at his tomb, deemed miraculous. Approved in 1702, it echoed his own cure, hastening beatification.
Witnessed locally, this miracle spread his fame, a healer’s grace.
Miracle for canonization
In 1725, a man with a deadly tumor was cured after prayers at Peregrine’s shrine, confirmed inexplicable by doctors. Ratified in 1726, it sealed his canonization, mirroring his cancer miracle.
This healing affirmed his sainthood, completing his veneration path.
Other notable miracles
- Leg cancer healed by Christ, c. 1325. - Posthumous cures at his tomb, per tradition.
Patronage
Saint Peregrine Laziosi is patron of cancer patients, AIDS sufferers, and skin diseases.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Peregrine Laziosi is celebrated on May 1.
Veneration
Saint Peregrine is venerated through prayers for healing, centered at his basilica in Forlì, where his body rests. With a staff or wound, his cult thrives among the sick, his May 1 feast drawing cancer sufferers. His conversion and cure inspire hope worldwide.
Books
Written about the saint
- Early Servite hagiographies (preserved in Forlì archives)
Written by the saint
- No writings survive.