My Catholic Aunt is dying of cancer - is there a Saint or Catholic tradition I can include in my letter to her

Question

She is an incredibly strong Catholic. She seems to know so much, I look up to her- she knows the "Catholic point of view" without ever questioning it.

She seems to be at peace with her time period she has left (1-2 months). Though in pain, she seems to smile about her faith. She's being as strong as she can be, jokes when she can...

I'm in the process of writing her a letter - because her family doesn't want her to have any visitors anymore. I want my letter to have some focus, some basis....and I'm hoping for some Catholic inspiration. Is there a particular Saint I could pray to...a particular saint or Catholic tradition that I can include in my final letter to my Aunt?

Much thanks in advance!

Answer 1

The patron saint of cancer patients is St. Peregrine Laziosi...."Born in Forli, Italy, Peregrine is the patron saint of persons suffering from cancer, AIDS and other serious diseases."

Answer 2

Firstly I am so sorry about your aunt.
Being a Catholic myself, I can understand how special it would be to include an appropriate patron saint in a letter to her.
I'd say that St. Peregrine Laziosi would be the one to go with. Being the patron Saint of cancer patients, it would be somewhat appropriate.
Here's a link to the site all about Laziosi: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.asp?id=1373

Or you could choose one with this list I found that's pretty decent: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/patrons.asp

Good luck, and again I'm so sorry.
God bless!

Answer 3

Hmmm. well, I am not a Catholic. I am a Christian-a baptist. I can't say what saint to include in your letter. But I can suggest that you PRAY for your aunt. Pray to Jesus Christ! He is the one that can help her in her last days.

My step dad died 3 years ago, very suddenly. I was asleep when he passed and my mother and I had no clue he was dying! He had a stroke and blood poisioning. He was 6 weeks away from 59 years old. I was 29 at the time.

Even though it is not easier knowing that you have a loved one that is dying slowly----I hope you find peace in knowing what she is dying from. I mean, at least you know what she has! It took months of research on my part to find out what my step-dad died from since we didn't want to have an autopsy done on him. Pray that Jesus takes her pain away.

As far as the letter goes, I can't tell you what to write or what saint to include. I am sure many others are Catholic and know what saint to include! Just be yourself and tell her what is on your heart. Do you know if she can still read or see? She may need someone to read it to her. May be you can be the one to read it to her?

Answer 4

Saint Peregrine Laziosi is an Italian saint.

He is the patron saint for persons suffering from cancer, AIDS and other serious diseases, according to the Catholic Church.


One of the special penances he decided on was to stand whenever it was not necessary to sit. It is said that St. Peregrine did not sit for thirty years, which caused him to develop varicose veins and then cancer on his leg and foot. The sores became painful and doctors prepared to amputate his foot, but the night before the surgery was scheduled to take place Peregrine drug himself to the foot of a crucifix and spent many hours in prayer. When he fell asleep he received a vision of Christ touching his foot, in the morning his foot was completely healed. He is therefore considered the patron saint of cancer victims.

Answer 5

Isn't St. Jude the patron saint of lost causes? I've always liked that idea because it sounds like someone is right there with you no matter what happens.

I'm not Catholic, but I think the saints are a fantastic tradition.

She's fortunate to have you looking out for her.

Answer 6

Patron saints for cancer patients / against cancer:
Aldegundis
Ezekiel Moreno
Giles
James Salomone
Peregrine Laziosi

and specifically breast cancer:
Agatha
Aldegundis
Giles
Peregrine Laziosi

Answer 7

her patron saint. that would be her name's saint (my name's therese so my patron saint is St. Therese) also you may not know hers but Catholics also get Confirmation (its a Sacrement like First Communion and Baptism) and they get to pick another patron saint themselves and add that name to thier own(aka. if there name was Therese Something Something then it would become Therese Something Fave Saint ((that will soon be Patron Saint)) Something) so if your writing her a letter mention that you are (and do! God will listen to your prayers even if you aren't Catholic! He loves everyone!) praying to her patron saint! She'll really appricate it i'm sure!

Answer 8

As a Catholic myself, you might want to tell her that you did not realize that Catholics offer up their suffering to the Almighty Father for our own sins and the sins of others in union with Jesus' sufferings on the cross. So it will be kind of neat when she is in Heaven to see if anybody comes by and thanks her for what she went through in union with Jesus, because it was her sufferings that bought them the grace to convert. She just might have people in Heaven thanking her and Jesus.

Answer 9

I don't have an answer for you, I am not catholic, but I am very impressed that you are writing to her and wanting to include something that is obviously very important to her. She sounds like a very strong and joyful person.
I think it is very sweet of you, you will be in my prayers. Blessings.

Answer 10

I'd suggest our Blessed Mother Mary. Her intercession and blessings, I think, would mean so much during this time for your aunt. My prayers are with you and her.

God bless and take care.