From the website of artist Stephen B. Whatley: A new tribute painting of the Patron Saint of Cancer Sufferers, Saint Peregrine by expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley.
Saint
Peregrine is also the Patron Saint of AIDS and other illnesses as well
as Cancer - so may all those who meditate upon the image, created and
infused with prayers, receive light, hope, protection and ultimate
healing relief. Peace.
The artist - a Catholic convert since 2011
- often gets, through prayer, what he feels a 'Divine Push' to paint
such Christian tributes and felt directed to paint Saint Peregrine, with
prayers for healing, light and hope for those suffering cancer in his
life - and worldwide.
He had a deep feeling the day of painting -
21 February - was a significant date; and later, after painting,
realised it was the day in 1935 that Jesus had appeared to the Polish
nun, Sister (since 2000, Saint) Faustina, requesting she seek an artist
and have a painting made depicting His Divine Mercy.
Stephen B.
Whatley has painted several Divine Mercy images over the years; some of
which were exhibited in his 2013 exhibition 'Paintings From Prayer' at
London's Westminster Cathedral. There is a permanent walkway of his
series of 30 paintings for the Tower of London, outside Tower Hill
Station, London.
Peregrine Laziosi (Italy, c.1260-1345)
experienced a miracle of healing in his own life, at 60, when a
cancerous growth in his leg threatened amputation. The night before the
amputation he spent praying before a fresco of The Crucifixion and later
in a sleep state felt Jesus descend from The Cross to touch his leg.
The next day the doctors found no trace of the cancer and he was
pronounced cured; word spreading quickly of the power of Trust in the
Lord.
The National Shrine of Saint Peregrine is at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This new painting took, alongside prayers, inspiration from a classic prayer card, acquired in New York in 2015.