The Hope of St. Jude
Dear Friend of St. Jude,
As we are bombarded daily and even hourly with news about COVID-19, you’re probably struggling with concerns about your own health and that of your loved ones. This insidious and deadly virus looms over us, leaving us anxious and fearful… and alone.
This pandemic has caused many to suffer despair. Some people have lost loved ones to the disease, others who have survived were left with debilitating side effects. Many people have lost jobs, income… and all of us have lost our daily lives, routines and “life as we knew it!”
Though darkness has seemingly descended upon us, I’m writing to remind you that, as Christians, we are people of hope, grounded in faith that God is always with us. As Catholics, we are spiritually lifted up by the hope of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and by the hope promised to us by our beloved St. Jude.
At St. Jude Shrine, we are devoted to St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes. When situations seem impossible, pray to St. Jude. Through his intercession, countless people have received hope, healing and miracles, like those featured in this letter.
“For 18 months, I prayed to St. Jude every day for my daughter-in-law who was on the list for a life-saving lung transplant. Just in the nick of time, St. Jude answered my prayers. She was just about to be put on a heart-lung machine because her heart was failing when a donor became available. It has been almost 3 months since the surgery and she is getting better and stronger every day! I now pray to St. Jude to protect her new lungs and keep her safe from the coronavirus. Thank you, St. Jude, for answering prayers and giving us this miracle.” – Rosemary
“My 15-year old grandson became very ill with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome which is often fatal. He was in a children’s hospital in intensive care. I prayed so hard to St. Jude. The doctors couldn’t believe my grandson’s turnaround! Thank God he is doing so well. Thank you, St. Jude, for making the impossible, possible. I love you St. Jude!” – Nesema
“Praying for St. Jude’s intercession and protection has helped me and my family to be calm all throughout this pandemic. Knowing that He will be with my loved ones has always made me feel really blessed and thankful. We will all get through this thanks to St. Jude, Our Mother Mary, and Our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Julia
For some who pray for St. Jude’s powerful intercession, the cure is a physical one; for others, it may mean freedom from an addiction or financial problems, and for some, there may be no immediate result but instead an overwhelming sense of peace and reconciliation. For all, there is a deep belief that through the intercession of St. Jude, people of faith will be touched by the love of Jesus and His tender care.
If this is a time that you need the hope and healing of St. Jude, please let me know right away. Our priests and brothers are honored to pray for his help in bringing your prayer requests before God. Simply send your intentions to us. We will pray for you and ask for St. Jude’s powerful intercession on your behalf.
When you reply, I prayerfully ask you to open your heart and help us reach out to the poor though our ministries of hope in 54 countries around the world. Your offering will help provide tangible relief aid to the poor, including food, shelter, medicine and clean water… along with the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
Your gift will also help keep our sacred Shrine open as a witness to the everlasting love of Jesus and the powerful intercession of St. Jude.
I look forward to receiving your reply. I promise to include your needs in our daily prayers, Masses and Novenas. I will also include your needs in daily Mass that is celebrated on St. Jude’s tomb in the Vatican. Email me today and I promise your prayers will be heard!
Please know you are in my thoughts every day. Even though the isolation continues, you are not alone because our priests and brothers remain committed to your spiritual care now more than ever. Daily, we pray for your health, safety, comfort and peace. Daily, we pray that you find hope on this journey through a temporary darkness.
Also, please know that when the day is done and I thank God for my blessings, I will give special thanks for you!
Wishing you the hope of St. Jude,
Fr. Peter Sticco, S.A.C.
Novena Director
P.S. Please send your prayer requests along with your most generous gift today. I will make sure your prayer requests are remembered in the prayers, Novenas and Masses at our Shrine and in daily Mass that is celebrated on St. Jude’s tomb in the Vatican.