Peregrine Laziosi

Peregrine Laziosi (also known as Pellegrino Latiosi or Peregrine of Forlì) was born in 1260 in Forlì, in the Romagna region of north-central Italy, into the Laziosi family, which belonged to the local notable class. Thirteenth-century Forlì was a Ghibelline stronghold, frequently at odds with papal temporal authority, and the young Peregrine grew up in that partisan atmosphere. Later lives present him as an active supporter of the anti-papal faction in his native city. In the early 1280s Philip Benizi, prior general of the Servites and a papal emissary, came to Forlì to preach peace and reconciliation with the Church. According to the traditional account, Peregrine struck Philip in the face during a public confrontation. Philip’s refusal to retaliate, and his prayer for his assailant, is said to have moved Peregrine to repentance. After a period of prayer and penance he resolved to enter religious life.

He went to Siena, then an important Servite center, and received the habit of the Order of Servants of Mary. Tradition holds that Philip Benizi himself clothed him. Peregrine completed his formation there, was ordained a priest, and was later sent back to Forlì, where a Servite community was established or consolidated and where he spent the remainder of his life. He became known for severe personal austerity, including long hours spent standing in prayer, for preaching in the region, and for pastoral care of the sick and the poor.

In later life he developed a spreading sore or cancerous growth on his right leg, which some accounts locate on the foot. Physicians judged amputation necessary. On the night before the scheduled operation he prayed at length before a crucifix. The central miracle of his legend holds that Christ appeared to him, descending from the cross and touching the diseased flesh; by morning the ulcer had vanished and the limb was restored. He is said to have lived a number of years after this reported healing, continuing his religious observance until his death.

Peregrine died in Forlì on 1 May 1345, at about eighty-five years of age. His remains were kept at the Servite church and were reported incorrupt, becoming the focus of a local cult. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1609 and canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on 27 December 1726. His feast is observed on 1 May. Because of the miraculous cure of his cancerous ulcer he has been widely invoked as patron of those suffering from cancer; he is also regarded as a patron of persons with AIDS and other grave or incurable illnesses, and of his native city of Forlì. His relics continue to be venerated at the Servite sanctuary dedicated to him in Forlì.