As we stop to reflect on our call to care for poor and vulnerable persons, take a moment to listen to the story of St. Peregrine [peh-ruh-gruhn] Laziosi, of Forli, Italy, who dedicated his life to serve poor and vulnerable persons because he understood suffering from personal experience. A 13th-century Servite brother whose prayer and presence comforted the sick and dying, Peregrine Laziosi, a restless and rebellious youth, was deeply touched by the forgiveness of a Servite peacemaker whom Peregrine had physically attacked. He followed a call to serve God and maintained a special devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus. He assumed an ascetic and penitential life, standing most of the time, kneeling to pray and never sleeping in a bed. His physical infliction of penance led to a cancer of his right leg. The night before his planned amputation, he went to pray in front of the crucifix where he saw Jesus descend from the cross and heal his leg.
.tmb-0.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=35cbaab9_1 "ST. PEREGRINE LAZIOSI (1500psd)")