Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Honor Your Loved One

You can have your name, or the name of a loved one, engraved on a special brick to be placed in the area around St. Peregrine Chapel. You can also choose the Family Stone option, engraved with multiple names. Or you may select a History Stone, to be engraved with a corporate logo or child’s artwork.

Not only will your loved ones names be permanently placed in sight for all to see, but your tax-deductible contribution will make a real difference in the lives of families affected by cancer.

Order your St. Peregrine Shrine Stone today! Orders must be received by May 1st, 2010, for the next placement opportunity.

Click here to order a stone now!


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A Reflection by a Cancer Ministry Volunteer

Since the opening of the chapel, committed adorers have come to sit all hours of the day and night. It is quite impressive to know that over 400 people have signed up to adore Him for one hour, once a week.

Visiting with Jesus every week, is a powerful experience. You cannot come in with your troubles and leave with same state of mind. The effects of his presence are profound and cannot be easily dismissed. Although we say “Yes” to Jesus at weekly mass, being before him in the Chapel is a different kind of feeling. Sometimes it is overwhelming.

Immediately upon entering, I can sense His spirit fill the air. My eyes become transfixed on the spectacular monstrance before me. He seems to pierce my very soul at the moment of entry, pulling out all my emotions, even ones I don’t even know I have. It’s not always easy being before the King. He seems to expose my very heart; not for my own humiliation, but for His healing touch.

We may enter this place with broken lives and flowing tears, but we know He has been waiting for us with endless Love, Comfort and Joy – Peace comes from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Parking Alert

Construction on the new parking lot has begun!

A grant from Virginia Piper Foundation is funding this much needed renovation. Construction will take approximately 55 work days to complete.

Please exercise caution and plan accordingly when accessing the Shrine late at night.

We ask for your patience and understanding for this minor inconvenience, as we improve access to the church and chapel.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

St. Peregrine Laziosi

Peregrine Laziosi was born in Forli, Italy, in the year of 1265.

During his days as a young man, Peregrine was so opposed to the papacy that he struck St. Philip Benezi, who was a representative of Pope Martin IV, with his fist. In his humility, Philip offered Peregrine his other cheek to strike. This moved Peregrine so much that he apologized and vowed to change his life. Peregrine followed through by joining the Friar Servants of Mary and soon after, he became a monk.

Known for preaching, holiness, penance, and devotion to the sick and poor, Peregrine would stand in prayer for hours as an act of contrition. The physical stress of standing for such long periods caused him to develop varicose veins, which may have been what led to the development of cancer in his leg.

Peregrine’s leg cancer worsened to the point of requiring amputation by the time he reached 60 years of age. The night before the surgery was to be performed, he prayed both for God’s healing, and the grace to accept God’s will whatever the outcome. Peregrine then fell asleep at the cross, which led him to experience a vision of the crucified Jesus coming down from the cross and touching his cancer-ridden leg. When he awoke shortly after, miraculously, the cancer was gone.

Peregrine lived 20 more years in service of Christ, dying in 1345. He was canonized by Pope St. Benedict XIII in 1726.