St. Peregrine Healing Mass
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica
3121 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612
11:00 AM CST
Second Saturday of the Month (Spanish)
&
Third Saturday of the Month (English)
St. Peregrine Shrine Offers Solace to Those With Cancer & Other Illnesses
For over 30 years, pilgrims from the Chicagoland area and beyond have visited Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica to pray for the intercession of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients and those with incurable illnesses as well as chronic illness. The basilica is home to the national shrine and holds healing Masses in Spanish and English once a month to pray for healing of body and soul through the saint.
"The Friar Servites of Mary, whose community St. Peregrine belonged to, started the shrine in Chicago in 1955 at St. Dominic Church near the now-demolished Cabrini-Green Homes. After that church closed, it moved to Assumption Parish. In 1991, the Servites moved the shrine to the basilica, where Cardinal Joseph Bernardin blessed it."
“People come from all over the world. Not just from Chicago,” said Servite Father Chris Krymski, former shrine director. “They all make a special trip because they hear this is the national shrine.”
Others don’t know that the shrine is there but stop by to visit the basilica.
“As I give them a tour of the basilica, they start telling me about their malady and I tell them you must have been called to come here because this is the national shrine of St. Peregrine,” Krymski said.
"Being a national shrine means providing spiritual support and relics of the saint to more than 90 St. Peregrine shrines in the United States. The shrine publishes a newsletter and operates a phone ministry where people can call for intercessory prayers."
Ed, who asked that his last name not be used, was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer over 13 years ago and has been attending the once-a-month St. Peregrine Masses in English ever since. He’s also had many years of severe facial pain for which doctors have found no cure.
“I come here. I like the Mass. I have a lot of faith in this,” Ed said. “We don’t live near here. So many of the other people don’t live near here.”
He and his wife attend the Masses and receive consolation and peace, he said. “It’s a beautiful place. I would be here if I wasn’t sick.”
For information about the shrine, visit ols-chicago.org or call 773-638-0159.
Healing Graces Through Indulgences
From May 1st, 2026, to May 4th, 2027, during the 300th Anniversary Jubilee of the Canonization of St. Peregrine, the faithful have an opportunity to receive special healing graces through indulgences.
An indulgence is a gift of God’s mercy that helps heal the effects of forgiven sin and purify the soul.
Through Confession, Holy Communion, prayer, and acts of faith, Catholics may receive great spiritual healing for themselves or offer this grace for souls in purgatory.
That means:
Confession forgives the guilt of sin
But sin often leaves wounds, disorder, attachments, and consequences
An indulgence is part of God’s healing remedy through the Church
Think of it this way:
If someone breaks a window and is forgiven, the relationship is restored but the broken glass may still need repair.
Sin damages:
the soul
habits
peace
relationships
sometimes even the body through stress and disorder
An indulgence helps repair what sin has damaged by God’s grace. A Partial Indulgence remits part of the temporal punishment due to sin & a Plenary Indulgence remits all temporal punishment due to sin at that moment. This is an immense mercy.
Healing of the Soul
Many people suffer from:
guilt
shame
anxiety
fear of death
spiritual heaviness
attachments to sin
discouragement
An indulgence helps purify the soul and restore interior freedom.
Healing of the Body (Indirectly)
The Church does not teach indulgences are magic cures. But when the soul is reconciled and purified, many bodily burdens can lessen:
stress
bitterness
despair
spiritual oppression
hopelessness
inner turmoil
Peace of soul often helps the body. God may also grant physical healing according to His will.
How to Receive an Indulgence (General Conditions)
Usually:
Sacramental Confession
Holy Communion
Prayer for intentions of the Holy Father
Perform the indulgenced act
Complete detachment from all sin, even venial sin
If full detachment is lacking, a partial indulgence may still be received.
How to Make This Happen Through The St. Peregrine Healing Masses:
Before Mass
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Go to Confession (if possible)
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Come with faith
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Bring names/photos of the sick
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Offer intentions for souls in purgatory
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Pray the Rosary or Seven Sorrows Rosary
During Mass
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Participate fully
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Receive Holy Communion worthily
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Pray for healing of body and soul
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Ask St. Peregrine to intercede
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Offer your suffering to Christ
After Mass
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Pray for the Pope’s intentions
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Thank God
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Continue trusting if healing is gradual
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Return monthly faithfully