The Franciscan Friary in Rossnowlagh has welcomed a permanent Relic of St Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer sufferers.
The first-class relic will be available for weekly individual blessings of the sick and those with long-term illness.
Fr Vincent Finnegan OFM shared the “wonderful news” of the gift, which comes a month after the relic was loaned to the friary on a short-term basis. More than 4,000 people flocked to the Rossnowlagh Friary for a blessing in mid-May.
The permanent placement of the St Peregrine’s relic gives more opportunities for people to get blessings which will be offered weekly.
Saint Peregrine Laziosi (Pellegrino Latiosi) (c. 1260 – 1 May 1345) is an Italian saint who was known for his holiness and the miraculous healing that he received. He is the patron saint for persons suffering from cancer, AIDS, or other illness. At the age of 60 he developed a cancerous growth in his leg. The evening before the operation to amputate his leg, he prayed before a fresco of the Crucifixion. When he awoke the next morning, he found that his leg had been healed and the cancer was gone.
Fr Vincent has announced that he will dedicate Wednesdays as the day for individual blessings in Rossnowlagh. He said: “There will be a booking system. Booking only on Monday and Tuesdays for your visit on the Wednesday. I can only offer at this time a 10 minute meeting with each person. During that time I will give you the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, an individual blessing with the Relic and add you to a weekly Mass for all the sick who come each Wednesday. The number to phone on Mondays and Tuesdays is 071 9852035.”
