St. Peregrine Novena for Healing (Patron of Cancer Patients)
The traditional St. Peregrine novena prayer for those facing cancer and serious illness — with his remarkable story and how to pray the nine days.
St. Peregrine Laziosi (1260–1345) is the Church's patron saint of those suffering from cancer and serious illness. Catholics facing a frightening diagnosis have prayed this novena for centuries — asking his intercession from one who knew the fear of illness firsthand and received a healing that made him famous across Italy.
The Story of St. Peregrine
Peregrine began as an angry young man — he once struck St. Philip Benizi, who responded by turning the other cheek. That moment of mercy converted him. He joined the Servite order and became renowned for his penance and his care for the poor and sick.
In his sixties, Peregrine developed a cancerous growth on his leg so severe that amputation was scheduled. The night before the surgery, he dragged himself before the crucifix and prayed. In prayer he saw Christ reach down and touch his leg — and in the morning, the surgeons found no trace of the cancer. He lived twenty more years, and the healing was cited in his canonization.
His story is why generations bring cancer to his intercession: he is the saint who has been there.
The St. Peregrine Novena Prayer
Pray this prayer once a day for nine consecutive days, naming your intention.
O great St. Peregrine, you who have been called "The Mighty" and "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you — you who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more; you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction — ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you: (name your intention here).
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
Conclude each day with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
Praying This Novena Well
- New to novenas? Our guide How to Pray a Novena covers the practice in five minutes.
- Remember where healing comes from. Saints do not heal — God heals. The saints pray with us, the way a faithful friend does; St. Peregrine's own healing came from Christ on the cross, and that is where his novena points.
- Pair it with Scripture. One passage a day from the Healing Scriptures collection grounds each novena day in God's own promises.
- Don't pray alone. Bring your intention to the daily prayer call — this ministry exists so that no one prays through illness by themselves. For faith-building teaching while you pray, read Marybeth's Healing of Cancer Prayer and Declaration and You Are Worth Healing.
Related Resources
This page is part of our free Scripture & Prayer Library. For Marybeth's personal teaching, testimony, and encouragement, visit the blog — or join us live at our daily prayer call and weekly Bible study.