We
hear a psalm in each of our masses, and so often the words of the psalms very
simply and eloquently express emotions and sentiments that we can identify
with. These words stood out to me today
in Psalm 16: “Keep me safe, O God; you
are my hope…. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge” So often we want to find safety in God,
because we don’t find safety or stability in some of the situations in which we
find ourselves in life.
St Peregrine is one of the saints we celebrate
in the month of May. Peregrine Laziosi
was born to a wealthy family in northern Italy in the papal states in the
middle of the 13th century.
In the midst of a community dispute, the Prior General of the Prior
Servants of St Mary was called in to bring peace. 18-year-old Peregrine physically attacked him
in the midst of this dispute. Peregrine
later repented asked the Prior General for forgiveness. A few years later, Peregrine joined the Order
of Servites and was ordained a priest. As
a priest, he was known for his love of the poor and sick, for his holiness and
great preaching. He practiced austerity
and a simplicity of life. Peregrine
contracted cancer in his leg to the point where his doctor planned to amputate
it. The evening before the planned
operation, Peregrine prayed before a fresco of the Crucifixion. While praying, he entered a dream-like trance
where he visualized Christ coming off his crucifix and touching his wounded
leg. The next day, the doctor told him
that his leg had been miraculously healed.
Peregrine developed a strong following, with many people coming to him
for healing. Peregrine today is the
patron saint of those suffering from cancer and AIDS.
Whether
we are suffering from a terrible disease like cancer or whether we are going
through the struggles of our daily lives, we cry out to the Lord in for Him to
be our safety and refuge. With our trust
in God, we will endure.
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