Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, died on Saturday, October 17, 2026, while celebrating the Eucharist at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

During the service, a large wooden cross positioned behind the altar came loose and fell onto the priest. The accident shocked worshippers in attendance and those watching Mass online.

A call for respect amid mockery on social media

As images of the accident spread, some people responded with mockery. In response, Father Ricardo Rivera Gutiérrez published a message expressing sorrow over these comments and reminding readers that a person’s death should never become a laughing matter.

“Father Patricio died while celebrating Holy Mass, and seeing how some people mock his death is deeply distressing. You do not have to believe in God or love the Church to respect the death of a human being,” he wrote.

The priest also noted that freedom of expression “does not justify a lack of humanity” and asked for consideration for those grieving Father Patricio’s death.

“If you have no prayer to offer, at least have respect for those mourning his passing,” he said.

Finally, Father Ricardo entrusted the deceased priest to God and asked for comfort for those mourning his loss.

“For those who believe, a prayer. For those who do not, respect. Humanity should not be up for debate,” he concluded.

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“You do not have to be a believer to show respect”: A message that invites reflection

Along similar lines, a message circulating on various Catholic pages challenges the callousness of those who mocked the priest’s death. Although the text’s authorship could not be confirmed, its message invites reflection on the importance of respect and empathy in the face of others’ suffering.

“You do not have to be a believer to understand that death calls for silence, respect, and humanity. You may not share a priest’s faith, and you may not identify with the Church, but that does not give you the right to turn a tragedy into a source of laughter or mockery. Behind this news is a life that has ended, people who are suffering, a community in mourning, and a priest who, as we learned, died while celebrating Mass,” the message reads.

The reflection encourages readers to consider the impact of their words and reactions on social media, especially when responding to painful events.

“Not everything should become a subject of mockery. Not every news story should become a battle between believers and nonbelievers. There are moments when, before writing a comment or leaving an emoji, we would do well to pause and ask ourselves whether what we are doing truly respects human dignity,” it continues.

The message concludes with an appeal: “In the face of death, there is no place for controversy, provocation, or laughter. What is needed is respect.”

“And if you do not know what to say, sometimes silence is far more dignified than a thousand words,” it adds.

Let us pray for the eternal rest of Father Patricio.

“One day, ready or not, you are going to die…”

With these direct, inescapable words, Catholic priests in Chicago are inviting the faithful to pause and confront a true reality that modern culture goes to great lengths to ignore.

“For millennia, the Church has reminded us of this inescapable reality. This world is not our final home. We are made for something greater, and what we do in this life has consequences for the next.”

But with our Catholic understanding of memento mori, a call to remember our own death, we are invited to navigate this universal mystery with spiritual courage rather than dread.

This Chicago-based religious community, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, have launched a special All Souls Novena — a much-needed 9-day program of prayer and guided reflections on the Catholic understanding of death, leading up to their annual celebration of Mozart’s Requiem Mass.

Beauty in the Shadow of Mortality

Throughout the ages, the Church has never treated death with despair, but rather through the lens of divine hope and revelation. Although we are now confined to our physical bodies, we were made to be united with Christ.

“Throughout the ages, these truths have found rich, even beautiful expressions in the liturgical life of the Church. Few works give more powerful expression to this mystery than Mozart’s Requiem, a masterpiece of sacred music, filled with profound sorrow and dramatic force, yet sustained by the hope and promise of eternal life.”

Drawing from this rich heritage, the upcoming Novena seeks to prepare the human heart for what lies beyond this earthly pilgrimage, helping the faithful to contemplate their own mortality through the reassuring beauty of Catholic tradition.

Daily Reflections for the Journey

Delivered directly to participants' inboxes each day, the 9-day novena offers short, accessible meditations crafted to illuminate how the Church accompanies her children at the end of earthly life.

“These short reflections, delivered to your inbox each day, will help you understand the Church’s relationship with the faithful departed and the ways in which she helps us face our own death with courage and love.”

Anchored in the Holy Mass

Above all, the Novena revolves around the gifts laid bare on every altar — the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—where the living and the dead are united in the mystical body of Christ.

“Above all, we will return to the Holy Mass itself, the Church’s greatest prayer, in which the saving sacrifice of Christ is made present and offered for the living and the dead.”

As November approaches — the month we dedicate to interceding for the Holy Souls in Purgatory — the priests urge Catholics everywhere to embrace this solemn season of prayer both for the faithful departed and for the spiritual health of our own souls.

“May our prayers in these solemn days benefit the faithful departed and prepare our souls to meet Christ with hope.”

Memento Mori

Ultimately, this All Souls Novena is a gentle, grace-filled revival of memento mori for our fast-paced digital age. By remembering our death today, we learn how to truly live for Christ — preparing our souls so that when our final hour arrives, we may step into eternity not with terror, but with joyful expectation.

How to Join

Faithful who wish to participate in this 9-day journey of prayer and reflection ahead of All Souls’ Day can register here with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius to receive the daily digital reflections via email.

Addressing this cultural shift on the Napa Institute’s Shepherd’s Circle Priest Podcast, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco explained why the decade-old strategy of making the Church “look like the world” has ultimately failed — and what is actually drawing young souls back to the faith.

Known for his courageous public witness — from performing exorcisms at sites of desecrated statues to founding the Benedict XVI Institute to elevate sacred music — Archbishop Cordileone directly challenged the lingering post-conciliar notion that the Church must constantly modernize to stay appealing.

“This was a phrase we heard a lot: ‘Church has to catch up to the world and be more like the world because that's where the people are at so it can be relatable,’” Archbishop Cordileone recalled. “But as it turns out, we make ourselves irrelevant when we do that.”

As Father Michael Duffy of St. Agnes Cathedral of Rockville Centre, NY agreed, noting how young Catholics crave something distinctly set apart from a fractured secular culture, the Archbishop elaborated on the paradox of authentic evangelization:

“What's most relevant is what might seem to be irrelevant. What is most different? So that, yes, that does connect. The young people are desiring that — connecting them to something that is timeless.”

However, Archbishop Cordileone emphasized that sacred beauty alone is only half the equation; young people also long for authentic human connection. Pointing to initiatives like Manhattan's viral ‘Pews to Pizza’ gatherings — where young adults attend reverent Sunday evening Masses and gather afterward for food and fellowship — the prelate noted that the Church must combine ancient tradition with vibrant fraternity.

“They need to be part of a worshiping community,” he explained.

“They want to so look forward to Church because of the beauty of the liturgy, but also to be with their friends and worshiping with their friends. That's why you mentioned about the mega churches. They don't have the tradition that we do, that timelessness, but they're really good at building a sense of community. We need both in order to really evangelize people and root them deeply in their faith.”

In a culture hungry for depth, Archbishop Cordileone’s message offers a clear blueprint for the future of Catholic evangelization. By anchoring the faithful in the awe of timeless worship and welcoming them into a warm, inviting community, the Church does not need to compromise with the spirit of the age. Instead, by being unapologetically herself — offering both sacred beauty and true friendship — she becomes an irresistible sanctuary for a generation seeking truth, goodness, and a beautiful place to call home.

Thirteen-year-old Varvara from Ukraine was the last person to say goodbye to Pope Leo XIV before he left the hospital on Saturday after being treated for lung cancer. As he headed to his car to return to the Vatican, she shared a moving message: she had been treated for cancer and recovered.

Varvara had briefly met the Holy Father on December 31st, before going to the hospital for cancer treatment. During their latest encounter this past weekend, she told him that their earlier meeting “gave her the strength to overcome the illness I have now beaten.”

She also brought him some deeply personal gifts: the photograph of when they first met and a small, stuffed pope doll that she made for him to accompany the pope during his recovery. She shared how she had a doll just like him named Basik who had accompanied her throughout her hospital stay. 

Varvara explained that the doll had been her friend during treatment, when she had none.

“He is the only friend I have had since the beginning of the war.”

The gifts offered a touching glimpse into what that first encounter had meant to her. A brief meeting with the Holy Father had become a source of encouragement through her illness, while the little doll provided companionship during her time in the hospital.

Now, with her treatment behind her, Varvara had the opportunity to tell the pope just how much that moment mattered! And how providential that she was the last person to greet him as he left Gemelli Hospital on Saturday when back in December 2025 he greeted her before her cancer surgery! Now the old friends are on the road to recovery together.

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Pray for Pope Leo and for Varvara!

After a tragic senseless act of violence that claimed the lives of 5 people--including 3 young students--at Silver Rail Elementary School on Oct. 15, the entire community of Bend, Oregon is in mourning today.

We learned during a press conference yesterday that a 16-year old boy had forced his way into the school, firing bullets to get passed the locked doors. He killed 3 students, one 5-year old, 8, and 11-year old, alongside a teacher before he was killed after a bystander had witnessed him walking into the building with a gun.

Two people are still in critical condition including a teacher and a 7-year old student.

One teacher, Kathy Sheil Smith, witnessed the teen approaching and hurried to get her students in one corner of the classroom.

She told CNN she saw her students turn to God:

“Some kids were praying, some kids were consoling other kids."

Shepherd to the local community, Bishop Thomas Hennen of the Diocese of Baker, released a statement:

"As bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Baker, which includes the city of Bend, I wish to express my deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers for those whose lives were taken in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School today, for their families, loved ones, and, indeed, for the whole community. 

"We expect that our schools are safe places for our children and all who pass through their doors. When a tragedy like this occurs, it shakes us to our core. It is only natural that we would be flooded with emotions at a time like this – shock, grief, fear, confusion, anger.          

"It is also only natural that we want answers. There will be a time for answers as more information becomes known. Even as more is known about what happened, there are no adequate answers for why this happened. We can only mourn, support each other, and pledge ourselves to doing everything in our power to prevent such tragedies in the future.         

"The Catholic community of central and eastern Oregon mourns with the families of the victims, the Silver Rail community and the city of Bend."

Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland told the entire community he is holding them close in prayer:

"My heart aches for the children, parents, and families of Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. No family should ever have to experience such fear and heartbreak. Please know that you are not alone. I hold you close in prayer, and the Church stands with you in this time of sorrow. We entrust those who have died to the loving mercy of Jesus Christ. May He embrace the grieving families and bring comfort to all who are suffering."

A candlelight vigil took place last night where the entire community came together to pray and hold loved ones close, remembering the lives tragically lost. The school is also offering counselors to those who are stricken with grief and fear today.

We are still learning more about these senseless acts of violence and we pray for the victims, their families, and the entire community. May Our Lady's mantle cover them all.

Long before social media influencers or modern disruptors, St. Teresa of Ávila was turning the world upside down.

Canonized in 1622 alongside heavyweight saints like Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, Teresa went on to become the very first female Doctor of the Church.

This Carmelite nun was a bold and deeply passionate reformer who refused to settle for a lukewarm life — and if you think ‘mindfulness’ is something new — check out her take on the interior life!

If you’re looking to level up your spiritual journey, here are 5 takeaways from St. Teresa of Ávila to take with you on your way.

1. Go All-In for Eternity

Teresa never did anything halfway. When she was just seven years old, she and her little brother Rodrigo decided they wanted to get to heaven as fast as possible. Their solution? Run away from home to go be martyred! They managed to get outside the city walls before their uncle caught them on horseback and brought them home. That same childlike passion for heaven stayed with her forever.

She reminds us that this life is just the trailer, and eternity is the main event.

2. Level Up Your Prayer Life

Teresa knew that prayer isn't just reciting words; it’s an adventure. In her famous book, The Interior Castle, she compared the soul to a castle with seven mansions, guiding people step-by-step into deeper mental prayer and intimacy with God.

For Teresa, prayer was simple:

"Nothing more than a close sharing between friends."

3. It’s Never Too Late to Reset

Teresa entered the convent at 20, but for almost two decades, she lived a lukewarm spiritual life — getting distracted by vanity, gossip, and keeping up appearances. But at age 39, she had a massive wake-up call and surrendered her life completely to Christ. Her message to anyone who feels like they’ve strayed or fallen behind? God’s mercy is ready for your comeback!

4. Be a Game-Changer for the Church

When Teresa saw that religious life around her had become comfortable and superficial, she didn't just complain — she reformed it. She founded the Discalced Carmelites, traveling across Spain in wooden carts to build new, vibrant communities rooted in poverty and radical love.

She proves that true holiness means stepping up to fix what’s broken rather than walking away.

5. Team Up with St. Joseph

After suffering a severe physical illness in her twenties that doctors couldn't fix, Teresa prayed to St. Joseph and was completely healed. From that point on, she picked him as her ultimate heavenly advocate, naming her convents after him and encouraging everyone to test out his intercession:

"I do not remember once having asked anything of him that was not granted."

St. Teresa’s life proves that holiness isn't boring — it's the ultimate adventure. As we celebrate her today, let her challenge you to ditch spiritual complacency and live boldly for God.

With the devastating news yesterday of Pope Leo’s diagnosis of cancer, Catholics of all ages are praying for the Holy Father—including the youngest of hearts.

No one knows this more than Father Krzysztof Tyszko, who helps reach the 500+ students that attend Assumption Catholic School in Morristown, N.J.

We caught up with him as he was walking back to the church after his morning post greeting all the kids getting dropped off for the day.

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Father noted that the Holy Father's love for baseball means a ton to the younger generations, coming to them in a voice they can hear and understand.

For this pastor, the first thing on his heart is how the school is taking care to protect the children's peace of mind:

“I can tell, especially with the younger grades, that they're trying to keep it contained and not so much scare them with what's going on.”

Yet, there is an unmistakable excitement permeating the school walls thanks to our new American-born Pope.

Father Tyszko shared:

“You know, he's our kind of Pope. It's a Pope that watches baseball actively, that knows players actively... I guess for me, it was, you know, you hear the actual voice of the shepherd, and he's speaking to you in a language you understand. And it's not subtitled or anything.”

That connection is touching hearts and minds every Wednesday and Sunday:

“It was like, ‘No, I know what the Pope is actually saying to me, and he's giving me a message.’ So, of course, that's inspiring to hear and it's wonderful to see. So, now it's a little tough to get this kind of news. It's like, ‘Oh, so we're not going to be seeing him or hearing him,’ and we're just nervous about what's going to happen here.”

Even as many Catholics feel anxious, Father Tyszko encourages the faithful to keep a spirit of hope:

“And then you get this kind of news that just hits you in the gut, in a way, that the Pope is going in for surgery, and now it's even a slightly worst-case scenario. But, you know, I like to keep hopes high and think positively about things, especially how everyone's saying that it was small and contained. The Pope didn't exactly look too worried about it when he gave his Sunday Angelus. So, I want to look on the positive side of things.”

And when fear creeps in, Father reminds us there is a concrete action we can all take:

Pray.

“Pray. Obviously, that's the first thing that I would say. You know, the old-fashioned time to get on your knees before the Lord and be like, ‘Lord, I am here to pray for the Pope because I know he needs prayers.’ And, you know, even though we pray for him daily, multiple times—even during the Mass, when we say the Rosary, during the Breviary—you still want to make it a special thing, go out of your way, to make sure that it's like, ‘No, I want to make sure the Pope's doing well because I want the Pope to be back in action.’”

More than anything, Father Tyszko wants Pope Leo to know where the heart of the Church is right now:

“That we're praying for him and we want him back on the scene. And, you know, I can't wait to see him back in the window on Sundays and in the square on Wednesdays.”

As a young girl, I spent countless hours watching Winnie the Pooh and humming “Little Black Rain Cloud” around my home. Now, as a mother to a toddler, I have found myself reliving these stories through the eyes of my own child, who also spends her evenings watching Winnie the Pooh and singing the theme song repeatedly as we drive in the car.

While I was rewatching these movies and episodes, I couldn’t help but notice that several Christian themes arose in the content. And while these stories were not written with a Christian perspective, there are Christian truths that we can see reflected. 

Here are 5 Christian themes seen in Winnie the Pooh:

1. Loving your neighbor and seeing the good in others

The Hundred Acre Wood is filled with characters who are very different — from the anxious Piglet to the controlling Rabbit and know-it-all Owl — yet, despite their differences, these characters form a community. They spend time together, help each other through difficulties, and continue to include one another even when their personalities clash.

Jesus' command to love our neighbor isn't dependent on having the same personality, interests, or opinions. Christian love challenges us to recognize the dignity of every person, even those who might frustrate or confuse us.

It's easy to love people who make us comfortable. It's harder when someone has a completely different temperament, worldview, or way of doing things. Yet those differences don't make a person any less worthy of our patience, kindness, or respect.

The Hundred Acre Wood reminds us that a community becomes richer when its members don't all have to be the same. For Christians, this is a reminder that we're called to build relationships with people beyond our immediate circles of similarity. We don't have to agree on everything to treat one another with charity.

2. Sacrificial love

Pooh is famously willing to go to extraordinary lengths for his friends — even when it's inconvenient, uncomfortable, or downright ridiculous. He doesn't always have the best plan, and his attempts to help can sometimes lead to unexpected complications, but his intentions are rooted in affection for those he loves.

Pooh's willingness to help his friends offers a simple reminder that love isn't merely a feeling. Love becomes visible through the things we're willing to do for others.

This is at the heart of the Christian understanding of love. In John 15:13, Jesus tells his disciples, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus ultimately demonstrates this perfect, self-giving love through His sacrifice on the Cross.

While Pooh's little adventures are obviously not comparable to Christ's sacrifice, they can still remind us of the everyday ways we're called to love others selflessly.

Sacrificial love doesn't always require dramatic gestures. Sometimes, it means setting aside our own plans to help a friend, listening when we'd rather be doing something else, or patiently caring for a family member when we're tired.

3. Caring for the vulnerable

Eeyore is the gloomy, pessimistic, and often overlooked resident of the Hundred Acre Wood. However, his friends don’t write him off. They continue to include him and remind him that he matters. 

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly notices people who are suffering, excluded, or overlooked by others. He stops for those in need, welcomes those whom society pushes aside, and reminds us that every person has dignity.

In our own lives, the people who need our compassion might not always look like Eeyore. They might be the friend who is always struggling, the coworker who seems withdrawn, the family member who is going through a difficult season, or the person at church who always sits alone.

Sometimes, a simple invitation, a thoughtful message, or the willingness to sit with someone in their sadness can make a real difference.

4. Childlike wonder

The Hundred Acre Wood is filled with imagination, wonder, and an appreciation for little things. Pooh doesn't need grand adventures or extraordinary experiences to be happy. A walk through the Hundred Acre Wood, a pot of honey, or a conversation with Piglet can be enough to make an ordinary day special.

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus tells his disciples, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus isn't asking us to be immature or naive. Rather, childlike faith invites us to approach God with trust, humility, openness, and wonder. Children are often willing to marvel at things adults have learned to overlook. They ask questions, delight in small discoveries, and depend on others without feeling the need to have everything figured out.

As adults, it's easy to lose that sense of wonder. We get caught up in our responsibilities, our worries, and the constant pressure to accomplish more. 

Pooh offers a gentle reminder to slow down and notice the goodness in the ordinary and that maybe sometimes, growing in faith means learning to see the world with the wonder we had as children.

5. Humility 

Pooh isn't particularly concerned with appearing impressive. He's simply Pooh — a bear who loves honey, enjoys his friends, and finds himself in little adventures. There's something wonderfully innocent about Pooh's willingness to simply be Pooh, which in turns reflects his humility. 

Humility doesn't mean thinking we're worthless or pretending we have no gifts. Rather, it means recognizing the truth about ourselves: our strengths and weaknesses, our dependence on God, and the fact that we don't need to be the center of attention.

This reminds me of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her “Little Way,” who reminds us that we don't have to do extraordinary things to become holy. We can become saints through the little things, when we do them with great love.

Of course, Pooh isn't intentionally practicing Catholic spirituality, and his character shouldn't be confused with a model of Christian holiness in every respect. But his unassuming nature can remind us of a truth that St. Thérèse understood so well — holiness isn't reserved for people who do extraordinary things. It's possible in the ordinary moments of every day.

So maybe Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood have been teaching us more than we thought during these past 100 years. 

Rush hour traffic through Midtown moved a bit slower on Tuesday evening as a Eucharistic procession moved through the city, with thousands of Catholics — laity, priests, deacons, religious, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre — joyfully walking with the Blessed Sacrament.

This annual procession, organized by the Napa Institute, has become a staple in the city for witnessing to the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and bringing His healing presence to a world that doesn’t know His love.

Father John Burns opened this year’s event with one of the opening reflections, along with Dominican Father Gregory Pine. Father Burns stated:

"The Eucharist is a quiet presence that holds back the power of darkness. The buildings can grow as tall as they might, but nothing can overshadow God."

Father Burns continued:

"The gift of procession is to take that power and that conviction quietly into the streets, into the searching, into the shadows, into the fear."

During a passionate homily at the opening Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Bishop Joseph Espaillat, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, said:

"No law on this earth can fully remove the pride and selfishness that makes us look past each other. Only charity, only genuine love, the kind of love that sees a brother or a sister where the world sees a problem."

The procession departed St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with countless curious tourists and commuters stopping in their tracks, many with tilted heads and phones out recording. Napa Institute volunteers passed out cards to onlookers with information about the Eucharist and how they can find a Catholic Church near them.

Content poured in on social media and TV networks from content creators, media outlets, and attendees sharing the experience with thousands of people at home. 

There is clearly something happening in New York City.

Over the last year, mainstream media has been calling attention to groups like Pizza to Pews and parishes such as St. Joseph’s in Greenwich Village for their large gatherings of young Catholics. More people are seemingly seeking community, transcendence, and identity. Eucharistic processions such as this are beautiful ways to introduce people to the source of everything they seek. 

Evangelization doesn’t always need to be verbal. Many times, the best witness is to stop talking and let those who would never usually enter a church or partake in the sacraments look upon our Eucharistic Lord.

Father Gregory Pine reminded procession attendees:

"We're here for love."

This Eucharistic procession is one way we, as Catholics, show not only our love for the Lord but also our love for our neighbors, known and unknown.

Beauty, joy, and reverence for the sacred evangelize a broken world. And what better place to do this than New York City, or, as St. John Paul II called it, the “capital of the world”?

If you missed the event, you can re-watch the EWTN Livestream HERE.

For the global Catholic community and believers everywhere, the announcement brought a heavy wave of sorrow — yet, as Catholics especially on this feast day of the Miracle of the Sun, we can trust wholeheartedly in the power of prayer.

 In times of darkness, the Church turns to the communion of saints, seeking those who walked similar paths of suffering. Among them stands a powerful intercessor for this moment in time:

Saint Peregrine Laziosi, the patron saint of cancer patients.

 Saint Peregrine’s story is one of profound transformation and physical healing. Born in 1260 to an affluent family in Forlì, Italy, Peregrine was the only son of a wealthy family, and even at one point actively opposed the papacy.

Yet, after experiencing the incredible mercy and forgiveness of Saint Philip Benizi, Peregrine’s heart was radically converted. He left behind a life of luxury and joined the Servite Order, became a priest, and devoted his life to penance, passionate preaching, and was known never to sit down spending hours hearing confessions.

Later in life, Father Peregrine developed a painful, incurable cancerous growth in his leg. On the night before doctors were scheduled to amputate the limb, Peregrine dragged himself to the foot of the cross. As he prayed in total unwavering faith in God, he experienced a mystical vision: Jesus came down from the crucifix and touched his diseased leg.

When Peregrine awoke, the cancer was completely gone.

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 Today, as Pope Leo faces his own battle with cancer, faithful around the globe are invited to unite in prayer, asking Saint Peregrine to intercede on behalf of the Holy Father for healing and peace.

Let us lift up Pope Leo with one voice, invoking the wonder-worker of Forlì for the Holy Father’s strength, peace, and complete recovery.

 PRAYER TO SAINT PEREGRINE FOR POPE LEO

 Glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine, you answered the divine call with a ready spirit, and forsook all the comforts of a life of ease and all the empty honors of the world to dedicate yourself to God in the Order of His Holy Mother.

 You labored manfully for the salvation of souls. In union with Jesus crucified, you endured painful sufferings with such patience as to deserve to be healed miraculously of an incurable cancer by a touch of His divine hand.

 Obtain for us the grace to answer every call of God and to fulfill His will in all the events of life. Enkindle in our hearts a consuming zeal for the salvation of all souls.

 Deliver our Holy Father, Pope Leo, from the infirmity that afflicts his body. Obtain for him and for us a perfect resignation to the sufferings it may please God to send us, so that, imitating our crucified Savior and His Sorrowful Mother, we may merit eternal glory in heaven.

 St. Peregrine, pray for Pope Leo and for all who invoke your aid.

 O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty," "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.

 For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and you had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.

 Ask of God and Our Lady the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you — especially our beloved Holy Father, Pope Leo.

 (Pause here to silently recall Pope Leo and all loved ones suffering from cancer)

 Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

 Amen.