Peregrine Laziosi was born in northern Italy in 1260 to wealthy parents. His entire town opposed the Catholic Church. When Peregrine was a teen he joined a crowd in attacking a papal delegate, and Peregrine knocked him down with a blow to his face. The delegate got up and literally offered his other cheek… and a silent prayer. Peregrine was converted in an instant and begged forgiveness. After a vision of the Blessed Mother, he followed her instructions and left for Siena where he joined the Servite order. As a means of atoning for the ways of his youth, he didn’t allow himself to sit down for thirty years, choosing to stand instead. He preached, tended to the sick and poor, and heard confessions until he died at 85.
CHALLENGE
St. Peregrine is best known as the patron saint of cancer patients. He developed cancer on his leg, and the night before the scheduled amputation, he prayed fervently and had a vision of Jesus coming down from the Cross to touch his leg. The next morning he was healed. Do you know someone battling cancer? How can you take time today to touch their heart and soul?
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The end of life is a difficult time, and the Catholic Church has a rich history of teachings and traditions to help people have a holy death, as well as grieve and pray for those who have departed from this world. Passing Time is a rich resource on the topics of suffering, death, and Purgatory, compiled from a variety of classical Catholic texts. Buy your copy today.
