St Jude

Who is St. Jude?

The Story of St. Jude Thaddeus

The origins of devotion to St. Jude as the patron of impossible causes are nearly as obscure as details of the life of the great Apostle, but devotion to St. Jude has never been more popular than today.

Jesus inspired devotion to St. Jude when he directed St. Bridget of Sweden to turn to St. Jude with great faith and confidence. In accordance with his surname, Thaddeus (which means generous, courageous, kind), Our Lord said, “He will show himself most willing to give help.”

The renowned St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who died in 1153 and who was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830, is reputed to have had a strong personal dedication to St. Jude.

The Gospel tells us that St. Jude was a brother of St. James the Less, also one of the twelve. They are described by St. Matthew (13:55) as the “brethren” of Jesus, probably cousins. The Hebrew word for “brethren” indicates a blood relationship. His mother, Mary, was a cousin of the Blessed Mother.

St. Jude is traditionally depicted carrying the image of Jesus in his hand. This represents the imprint of the divine Countenance that was entrusted to him by Jesus. King Abagar of Edessa asked Jesus to cure him of leprosy and sent an artist to bring him a drawing of Jesus. Impressed with Abagar’s great faith, Our Lord pressed his face on a cloth and gave it to St. Jude to take to Abagar and cure him. The King was cured and converted to Christianity along with most of his subjects.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Jude traveled throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, and Persia with St. Simon preaching and converting many to Christianity.

St. Jude died a martyr’s death. Later, his body was brought to Rome and placed in a crypt under St. Peter's Basilica.

Today, millions of people around the world turn to St. Jude, patron saint of seemingly impossible or difficult causes, when they feel most helpless and alone. St. Jude has proven to be a true friend and a beacon of hope to those who call on him.

We invite you to join in this devotion and turn to St. Jude, a faithful friend in times of difficulty.

Novena To St. Jude

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,  the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult  cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is  almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive  the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and  sufferings, particularly -

(make your request here)

- and that I may praise  God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be  ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as  my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

Amen

PRAYER

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the  tabernacles until the end of time. Amen.

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen

St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity. (say this prayer, followed by the Our Father and the Hail Mary)

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/jude.htm

MERCY'S LIGHT

This song was written when my brother passed away in drunk driving accident in St Louis. His car was hit by a drunk driver.He passed away at Mercy Hospital (a coincidence?)close by a few hours later on Feb 1st 2013. The song was written on the plane going home for his burial.I hope it may bring peace and consolation to people who might be going through similar experiences in life.May God Bless you!

MERCY'S LIGHT

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Waves of Mercy,hold me close,

In your arms,let me hide,

 Help me,show me Mercy's light.

O Cross of Christ,I cling to Thee,

From your Cross,shine Mercy's light. 

Help me,show me Mercy's light. 

Hail O Holy Cross of Christ,

On your Cross,our sins redeemed.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

Waves of Mercy,hold us close,

Shelter from the raging storm.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

In this darkest hour of life,

Rain your Mercy down on us.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

Holy Mother, at the cross,

Total surrender,at Thy feet.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

United to the Cross,she stood,

Perfect submission, Holy love.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

So to the Cross,I too submit,

All our sorrows and our pain.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

Mercy's angels,along the way,

Placed to comfort,in the pain.  

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

In your Mercy,hold him close,

United to the Cross,I pray.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

Shine your Mercy's light on him.

Tender mercies,from the Cross,

Flowing down to fall on him.

Shine your Mercy's light on him.

Frightening blows,trembling soul,

Called to bear a heavy cross.

Help me,show me Mercy's light.

United to the Cross,I pray

May it bring great Mercy's light,

Shine your Mercy on those in need. 

Tune : Holy God I praise your Name. (2 lines)

Here we have a very important lesson to learn: our own crosses acquire value if we consider them and accept them as a part of the Cross of Christ, if a reflection of his light illuminates them. It is by that Cross alone that our sufferings too are ennobled and acquire their true meaning.-meditation of Pope Benedict on it in the Magnificat

Footnote:
The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls... - These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross (Diary 299). My gaze from this image is like My gaze from the cross (Diary 326). "These rays shield the soul from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."

Note:This song was inspired by prayer of the St Andrew's Cross and the following meditation of Pope Benedict on it in the Magnificat.

Saint Andrew follows Christ until death
A later tradition, as has been mentioned, tells of Andrew’s death at Patras, where he too suffered the torture of crucifixion. At that supreme moment, however, like his brother Peter, he asked to be nailed to a cross different from the Cross of Jesus. In his case it was a diagonal or X-shaped cross, which has thus come to be known as “St Andrew’s cross”. This is what the Apostle is claimed to have said on that occasion, according to an ancient tradition… : “Hail, O Cross, inaugurated by the Body of Christ and adorned with his limbs as though they were precious pearls. Before the Lord mounted you, you inspired an earthly fear. Now, instead, endowed with heavenly love, you are accepted as a gift. Believers know of the great joy that you possess, and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared. I come to you, therefore, confident and joyful, so that you too may receive me exultant as a disciple of the One who was hung upon you…. O blessed Cross, clothed in the majesty and beauty of the Lord’s limbs!… Take me, carry me far from men, and restore me to my Teacher, so that, through you, the one who redeemed me by you, may receive me. Hail, O Cross; yes, hail indeed!”.Here, as can be seen, is a very profound Christian spirituality. It does not view the Cross as an instrument of torture but rather as the incomparable means for perfect configuration to the Redeemer, to the grain of wheat that fell into the earth (Jn 12,24). Here we have a very important lesson to learn: our own crosses acquire value if we consider them and accept them as a part of the Cross of Christ, if a reflection of his light illuminates them. It is by that Cross alone that our sufferings too are ennobled and acquire their true meaning.

King of Mercy

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Fleeting glance, sins redemption

Endless Mercy, to all who trust.

Mercy’s King, Eternal One,