News

03 Aug

Posted at 08:41h in News

Recently, our nation has been called to confront the sins of injustice and systemic racism which continue to plague our country, society and institutions. As a community of men gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus and committed to living the gospel, the United States Province of the Order of Friar Servants of Mary decries the unjust killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many other men, women and young people of color.

As Christians, we believe that each and every person – regardless of race, nationality or ethnicity – is created in the image and likeness of God, possesses inherent and undeniable dignity, and is blessed with unique giftedness. We, therefore, deplore any action or violence that is contrary to the dignity of the human person.

We take this moment to reiterate our commitment to dismantle the sin of racism, to repent of complicity or omission on our part in perpetuating racial discrimination, and to extend our fraternity to all people, with the hope of breaking down walls which divide us from one another and disregard our fundamental equality as beloved children of God.

Like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who stood at the cross of her son as he suffered on Calvary, we recognize Christ suffering again in the lives, bodies and persons of our brothers and sisters who are oppressed by injustice, racism, violence, and economic deprivation. We stand in solidarity with Black, Brown, and other marginalized communities as we denounce racism, xenophobia, hatred and violence in all its forms. We ask of God a spirit of honest reflection, dialogue, respect, conversion and action for ourselves, our Church, society, nation and institutions in order to confront these wrongs and to bring about healing, as well as new attitudes which will result in a freer, more just and fuller life for all.

05 May

Posted at 08:46h in Prayers for Various Occasions

LITANY OF SAINT PEREGRINE

Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy – Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy – Lord, have mercy

Christ, hear us Christ, graciously hear us

God, the Father in Heaven – have mercy on us
Jesus, Son and Redeemer of the world – have mercy on us
Holy Spirit, the Paraclete – have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God – have mercy on us

Holy Mary, Mother of God – pray for us
Our Lady, Humble Servant and guide of pilgrims – pray for us
Virgin and Lady of Sorrows – pray for us
Mary, Queen of your Servants – pray for us

Saint Joseph, Saint John the Baptist,
Saint Peter and Saint Paul – pray for us
Saint Augustine, Seven Founders and
Saint Philip Benizi and Saint Juliana – pray for us
Blessed Joachim and Francis of Siena,
Blessed Bonaventure and All Servite Saints – pray for us

Saint Peregrine, child of Forlì, youth of repentance, youth in search of the Kingdom of God – pray for us
Peregrine growing in virtue, moving to God’s
salvation, pilgrim towards lasting joys – pray for us
Converted to meekness, man of repentance,
growing in wisdom from God – pray for us
Peregrine, gentle friar, obedient and poor,
merciful, austere and chaste man of God – pray for us
Servant of God, Servant of Mary,
Servant of brothers in faith – pray for us
Beloved disciple, close to the cross of the Lord,
strengthened in weakness by Christ – pray for us
Peregrine, new Job, sorely tried and trustful,
healed by the power of God – pray for us
Model of penitence, saintly example,
new son of the Virgin by the Cross – pray for us
Brother and friend, interceding for us,
helper for the incurably sick – pray for us

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

God our Father, in Peregrine you gave us an outstanding example of the virtue of penitence and patient suffering. Encouraged by his example and supported by his prayers, we ask that the penance we do and the sufferings we endure become for us sources of health and life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Peregrine, pray for us.

04 May

Posted at 05:29h in Prayers for Various Occasions

Last Day of the Novena
St. Peregrine, Brother of Intercession

“And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” (Lk 17:19)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invocation to the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Saint Peregrine died on May 1, 1345, at the age of eighty after suffering a severe fever. His body was later exhumed and found incorrupt. In contrast to the bad odor which at one time emitted from his gangrenous leg, his body now gave off an extraordinary fragrance which people found difficult to describe. Today his intact body is enshrined in the Servite Church in Forlì, Italy. From 1608 to 1958 at least seven examinations of his body were made by experts. Peregrine was canonized on December 27, 1726, along with Saint John of the Cross and St. Francis Solano. Let us pray on this last day of the novena with a robust faith the healing of our own bodies, if it is the will of God.

“They surrounded me, the snares of death; the anguish of the grave has found me; anguish and sorrow I found. I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Lord, save my life!’” (Ps 116: 2-3)

In the “Life of the Blessed Peregrine of Forli,” we learn that in his sickness, Saint Peregrine had the comfort and supportive care of many people, both brothers and laypeople. The news of the miraculous cure of his leg was spread widely abroad causing great veneration on the part of everyone towards Peregrine, the friend of God. On May 1, 1345, while in his 80s, Peregrine died. The flocking of people to venerate his body was so great that at night, it was not possible to close the city gates, there were so many people crowding through. Many miracles were attributed to blessed Peregrine: records tell of people with evil spirits being set free; blind people restored to sight; and people being healed after serious falls, all as a result of invoking Saint Peregrine. Peregrine, himself cured by a miracle, thus became the intercessor for the cure of many sick people. Over six centuries later many still pray for blessings and miracles at through his intercession.

Our Father, who art in heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory to the Father…

Pray for us St. Peregrine, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God and Father most holy, you sent your Son into the world to carry the weight of our pain and to heal the diseases of your suffering sons and daughters. In this uncertain and fearful time, and by the prayers of Saint Peregrine, our brother of intercession, we beg you to heal and relieve the sufferings of all who place their trust in you. Keep our hearts alive in hope and grant us peace and serenity of spirit. And may your healing Spirit of love fill us all with grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, our Savior, give us patience and strength in this time of trial. Heal our wounds and allow us all to live together again in serenity and in peace. Amen. Through the intercession of St. Peregrine, may the Lord bless us, keep us from harm, and lead us to eternal life. Amen.


St. Peregrine, pray for us.

Happy Feast Day from the National Shrine of Saint Peregrine! We join you in prayers for healing and peace.

03 May

Posted at 09:21h in Prayers for Various Occasions

Day Eight of the Novena
Saint Peregrine, Miraculously Healed

“Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around.’ The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and started to walk around.” (Jn 5: 8-9)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invocation to the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

As recorded in the Life of the Blessed Peregrine of Forli, Saint Peregrine, when he was in his 60s, was stricken with a gangrenous ulcer on his leg. The wound festered, would not heal, and eventually required amputation. The night before the surgery, he dragged himself to the chapter room where there is a fresco of the Crucifixion. He remained there in trustful prayer to the crucified Christ. Overcome by pain and distress he dozed in a trance and as in a dream saw the crucified Jesus come down from the cross and liberate him from every ailment of his leg. At once he woke up and realized that his leg was healed and as strong as it previously had been. After giving thanks to the most merciful God for such an extraordinary gift, he returned to his cell. The following morning, the doctor came to conduct the amputation. But he saw that the leg was completely healed. He turned to his assistants and exclaimed: What a great miracle!

On the wood of the cross Christ bore all our sins
– So that by his wounds we may be healed.

“You can now pick up the cross with courage, like Peregrine. In spite of everything, keep walking, keep moving towards the crucified Jesus. Let him draw you to himself. What new strength you will find amid your great weakness. …keep looking towards the cross with faith, like Peregrine. Put your trust in the power of God and do not doubt that God will help you. It is in the cross that you will discover the love of God which purifies us and purges us of all that is not of God.” (Hubert Moons, OSM)

Our Father, who art in heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory to the Father…


Pray for us St. Peregrine, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God our Father, ever merciful and kind, you sent your Son on earth as a healer of bodies and souls; to rescue humanity stricken by sin and by death. For your will is that we should have life to the full. Look kindly we pray upon all who are suffering and sick for they place their trust in your help. By the prayers of Saint Peregrine, grant them your healing as once you poured healing upon him. Grant that your Son, Jesus Christ saving Lord, stretch forth his hand from the cross to bless in our day all his servants in pain, as they turn to him wounded and weak. Endow them with serenity and peace, that they may thank you and honor your Holy Name, through your Son Jesus who has died and is risen, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lord, our Savior, give us patience and strength in this time of trial. Heal our wounds and allow us all to live together again in serenity and in peace. Amen. Through the intercession of St. Peregrine, may the Lord bless us, keep us from harm, and lead us to eternal life. Amen.

St. Peregrine, pray for us.