St. Peregrine Novena Newsletter
St. Peregrine Laziosi is the saint for these troubled times of global pandemic! He has become the patron saint of those who suffer from the major illnesses plaguing our contemporary society, especially cancer and AIDS. Each year the Dominican Friars offer a preached novena June 1-9 and this year these nine days of prayer take on a new poignancy as we seek his powerful intercession against COVID-19!
When St. Peregrine was about sixty years of age, an infection developed in his right leg. As his condition worsened, it was decided that the leg would be amputated. The night before the surgery St. Peregrine prayed before an image of Christ Crucified. Falling into a deep sleep he saw Jesus descend from the Cross and touch his leg. When he awoke, the wound was miraculously cured. His healing prompted a renewed thanksgiving to the Lord in the heart of St. Peregrine as well as propelling him into even greater apostolic efforts.
We, the Dominican Friars of St. Dominic’s Church, home of the Shrine, continue to offer prayers for your intentions. Though officially closed because of the pandemic, the Shrine is very much open, spiritually – for your prayer intercessions, votive candle requests, and Mass intentions. Uncertainty remains as to whether you may attend the Novena Masses in honor of St. Peregrine, but the Dominican Friars will still observe the Novena intentions and lead us all digitally in prayers directed to St. Jude and St. Peregrine.
Currently all Mass intentions are celebrated at the daily morning Mass, which is live-streamed 8 a.m. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. Sat, and 10 a.m. Sun.
Until we can again gather as a worshiping community, join us in our upcoming novena June 1-9 as we entrust our intentions to the intercessory power of St. Jude and St. Peregrine for our world desperately in need of the healing power of Christ!
In Christ and St. Jude,
Very Rev. Vincent M. Kelber, O.P.
Director
