We visited the St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish and Diocesan Shrine located in Tunasan, Muntinlupa, with the purpose of participating in a healing mass. St. Peregrine Laziosi is recognized as the patron saint specifically for individuals who are afflicted with cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses.

St. Peregrine Laziosi was born in 1260 in Forli, a small city in Italy, and initially aspired to pursue a career in politics. During a period of upheaval, when the Pope dispatched St. Philip to mediate with St. Peregrine Laziosi, the latter unexpectedly struck Philip in the face. Instead of retaliating, Philip astonishingly offered him the other cheek. This gesture deeply impacted St. Peregrine, leading to his immediate conversion to Catholicism. Subsequently, he experienced a vision and decided to join the Servites in Siena before eventually returning to Forli. When St. Peregrine developed cancer and medical professionals recommended amputating his leg, he devoted the night prior to the operation to prayer. To everyone’s amazement, he woke up the following day with a miraculous healing. St. Peregrine passed away in 1345 and was later canonized in 1726.

A special part of the healing mass in the church is the anointing of Holy oil in our forehead by the church priests. In Catholic tradition, this act symbolizes the restoration of health, purification from sin, and dedication to God.

Inside the church, one can observe a Relic Chapel that contains a physical relic attributed to St. Peregrine: one of his ribs.