Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients.

Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi.

Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the house in Valladolid. As Superior, Michael set a high standard of holiness for the order, focusing on prayer, penance, and mortification, as well as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

While he was still alive, he was viewed as a saint, due to his personal piety, leadership, devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and the frequent ecstasies he experienced during the Consecration at Mass. Outside of the monastery, his preaching was known for its holiness, and the neighboring royal court called upon him for spiritual and pastoral counseling. His generous service to the poor and the sick made him a compassionate priest and a faithful friend.

Michael died on April 10, 1625, at the monastery in Valladolid, Spain at the age of 33.  He was beatified by Pius VI in 1779 and canonized by Pius IX in 1862. Many miracles were attributed to him at his tomb following his death.  He was known as one of the greatest apostles of the Trinitarian order in the 17th century, and is often called 'the Ecstatic One.'

Miraculous Healing Through His Intercession

After eleven days of prayer, Frances Sanz was cured of cancer through his intercession. The cancerous tumors on her lips and tongue disappeared. No scars were left. Hers was one of many such cures and was presented as one of many miracles when Pius IX canonized Michael on June 8th 1862.

Prayer for Cancer Patients

Most Holy Trinity, You who gave us Saint Michael of the Saints as trusted friend and intercessor, and as patron of those afflicted with cancer, look with kindness on your servants who this day invoke your name.

Through his intercession, comfort those in distress, confirm those in doubt. Satisfy their spiritual needs from the treasury of your grace.

Remember all those who call on your help, but be especially solicitous of (mention name). Restore health to this person and all who are sick.

Sanctify those who endure pain with Christ-like acceptance and grant to all of us a just reward in the life of glory to come.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Novena Prayer

We praise you, Most Holy Trinity, for having sent us Saint Michael of the Saints, to be our friend and intercessor in the fight against cancer.

Grant us, we pray, a humble faith that we may follow in his holy footsteps and believe without doubt in your generous gift of healing.

With humble and childlike trust, we ask your Divine help through Saint Michael of the Saints in this urgent necessity.

May this gift of bodily health bring us peace and joy which are but a foretaste of heaven, and may we be counted one day among your saints in glory.

Father, your world is ill with cancer and frightened. We pray you ease the suffering of those afflicted, give loving hands to those who care for them, and light the way for those who seek its cure.

Merciful father, extend your healing hand so that we may cry out, a cure at last!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Litany of Saint Michael of the Saints

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us Christ graciously hear us.
God, the father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Michael, child of God, pray for us.
Servant of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Companion of Mary, pray for us.
Spiritual Innocence, pray for us.
Mystical Heart, pray for us.
Soul enamored of God, pray for us.
Friend of the poor, pray for us.
Patron of the cancer-stricken, pray for us.
Model of charity, pray for us.
Model of sanctity, pray for us.
Light of those in doubt, pray for us.
Lover of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Helper of the needy, pray for us.
Slave of divine love, pray for us.
Hope of those who trust in you, pray for us.
Inspiration of pastors and priests, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.