St. Peregrine

In the latter part of the thirteenth century, the city of Forli in northeast Italy, had already had a long history of independence in regard to the temporal power of the Popes and was the last Ghibelline stronghold in Italy. Because of those tendencies, the city was placed under interdict in 1283. The Prior General of the Servite Order went there to attempt to change the people’s attitudes toward ecclesiastical authority, but he met with threats and outright rejection. Amid the crowd, though, there was a young eighteen-year-old named Peregrine Laziosi (1260-1345) who responded to what Philip the Prior General asked of the people and sought the future Saint Philip’s forgiveness. Eventually, Peregrine became a member of the Servite Order and was devoted to the Virgin Mary.

Years later, returning to Forli, he made “psalms, hymns, and inspired songs” part of his daily life. Incited by the Spirit and intensely devoted to the poor, he served their physical and spiritual needs unceasingly! Tradition has it that during a severe famine, Peregrine miraculously multiplied grain and wine to feed the starving masses. Bodily mortification and severe penitential practices marked the piety of that age and Peregrine adhered to those standards. Due to his zeal for those practices, by sixty-years of age, his vascular problems deteriorated into cancer in his right leg. Paolo Salazio, the local physician, determined that his condition was so serious that the leg had to be amputated. On the evening before the procedure, Peregrine made his way to the friary’s chapter room and prayed before the crucifix. In a somnambulant state, he dreamt that Jesus descended from the cross and healed his leg. Arriving the next day, Dr. Salazio was stunned to not only see no cancerous wound, but there also was no scarring or any visible evidence that such an unsightly wound had ever existed! Twenty years later, in 1345, he died of a fever and numerous people who invoked his assistance were cured of their ailments.

(The picture above is a detail from the mural located behind the altar of sacrifice in the chapel of Our Lady of Hope)