Take Up the Cross

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

O God, you healed your servant Peregrine of a grave illness and made him a patron of all who suffer in body. As I begin this novena, look with mercy on the sickness I bring before you. Through his intercession, grant healing if it is your will, and the grace to bear what is not yet lifted. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pause in silence, and bring to mind the intention you are praying for.

In the app, your own saved intention rests here during the silence. The narration stays the same for everyone.

He said to all, If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Jesus calls those who would follow him to take up their cross daily. Illness can be a heavy cross, but carried with Christ it becomes a path that leads somewhere - closer to him. St. Peregrine teaches us to shoulder our suffering not in despair but as a way of walking with the Lord.

Lord Jesus, you ask me to take up my cross and follow you, and this illness is part of mine. Give me the strength to carry it without bitterness, united to your own suffering. Through the intercession of St. Peregrine, let my cross become a path that draws me nearer to you, one day at a time. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St. Peregrine, patron of the sick, you knew the fear of serious illness and the joy of God's healing touch. Intercede for me and for all who are suffering in body. Ask the Lord to restore health if it is his will, and to give us, in every case, the peace and patience of those who trust in him. Amen.

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