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TheSaint Jude MessengerBROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDEINSIDE THIS ISSUE:I’m a Saint Jude MiracleStruggling with an addiction?Pray this prayer to Saint Jude.Shroud, Painting, or Medallion?The Mysterious Iconogr aphy of Saint JudeVOLUME VIII ISSUE IV8i1.indd 14/12/22 10:52 AM
"God hears everything you say. He justdoesn’t give it to you when you want it.You’ve got to keep persevering and keepcommunicating with Him."THE FRONT COVER ART DEPICTS SAINT JUDE CARRYING A SHROUD IMPRINTED WITH THE HOLY FACE (SEEARTICLE PAGE TEN). ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY SANTELLA.V8i1.indd 24/12/22 10:52 AM
Director's LetterIf it wasn’t for Father Peter Colapietro, I wouldnot have learned about several great Saint Judestories. Back in 2012 Father Pete introducedhimself as he sat down next to me on a flight toRome. He shared with me that he hated flyingand asked if I’d stay up talking with him. Thatmight not sound like a big request but it wasalready evening and I had had a hectic day. Iwas looking forward to catching up on some sleepbefore the following day in the Eternal City. Ihad heard stories about this salty, larger than lifecharacter. He was nicknamed the Pope of 42ndStreet because if you walked down that block inManhattan you’d see Father Pete sitting on thefront steps of Holy Cross Church speaking toeveryone in the neighborhood. So I decided tooffer up a night’s sleep as my little cross and said,“Sure.” The next 8-and-a-half hours literally andfiguratively flew by!One of the stories he shared with me was abouta teenager named Mickey who had given up hopewhen his younger brother Joey was diagnosed withcancer at 17 and told he had six months to live. Hisgrandmother taught him about the Patron Saintof Lost Causes, and Mickey began praying to SaintJude for a miracle. His brother lived.Mickey Rourke went on to become a famousactor in the 1980s. But, by the mid-1990s, hiscareer had floundered. In 1994, Mickey was in astate of despair, and about to commit murder andsuicide. He went to Holy Cross Church on 42ndstreet to leave his suicide note under the statue ofSaint Jude. Instead, he ran into Father Pete, whotalked him out of it.Years later when his brother died at the age of 50,Rourke stopped praying for several years. FatherSAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV8i1.indd 3ACADEMY-AWARD-NOMINATED ACTOR MICKEY ROURKEPete finally told him, “Mickey, nobody gets a pass.Everyone’s gonna lose a mother, a father, a brother,a sister, an aunt, an uncle, a spouse. I know howyou feel deep down inside. God hears everythingyou say. He just doesn’t give it to you when youwant it. You’ve got to keep persevering and keepcommunicating with Him. You’ve got to talk toGod before the house burns down.”Mickey learned that everything is truly inGod’s hands. Though both his academy awardnomination and Fr. Pete's death, Mickey remaineddevoted to God and Saint Jude.Father Gabriel Gillen, O.P.Director, Rosary Shrine of Saint Jude34/12/22 10:52 AM
Thank you, Saint Jude!LET TER S FROM PATRONS OF THE ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDEFor generations, Catholics have publiclythanked Saint Jude for favors received through hisintercession. In these pages, patrons of the RosaryShrine of Saint Jude carry on the tradition!Believe in Miracles!I recently experienced a serious medicalcondition. Had major surgery been required, theoutcome would have been in question. I receiveda Novena card and Chaplet with prayers to SaintJude asking for his intercession. I’m sure thatpraying to Saint Jude was one of the reasons theoutcome–without surgery–was positive.-DonExorbitant BillsI had exorbitant medical bills from two lifethreatening illnesses over the past several years.These bills, and my inability to pay them, haveruined my credit. My husband and I needed to findan apartment, and had difficulty, both because ofmy credit and because I am disabled and cannotclimb a lot of steps. I prayed to Saint Jude, and tothe Immaculate Heart of Mary, and my prayerswere answered! Thank you, Saint Jude, and myBlessed Mother Mary for interceding for me!-DonnaRon. Dear Saint Jude, my son isgetting off of drugs thanks to you andJesus and Mary. He may live on his ownsoon. Thank you!Saint Jude’s Healing HandsI visited the Shrine of Saint Jude in SaintDominic’s Church in October 2021. I prayed theRosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy facing themain altar. Afterwards, I toured the inside of thechurch, and my final stop was the statue of SaintJude Thaddeus. I prayed to him for relief from amigraine and touched both his hands, which wereextended, after I said my prayer.Some time later, I visited the website and sawthat on the statue of Saint Jude his hands are notextended, but bent upwards holding his staff andan image of the Lord. I don’t know if this was amiracle, but I felt relief from the migraine aftertouching Saint Jude’s hands.-AmieOur son was diagnosed with acute myeloidleukemia at 12 years old. My brother introduced afriend of his to our family, who would visit our sonand taught him to pray to Saint Jude for a cure. Heis now 19 and there is no evidence of the disease!-LindaHeartsickComing from a large family, my only brotherand I find ourselves, in our later years, the only4V8i1.indd 4SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE I4/12/22 10:52 AM
ones left. We have lost so many loved ones, andmany of them in recent memory. I lost my husbandof thirty years two years ago. My brother and I areall the family each other has in the world.Recently, my brother (age 69) was experiencingsome physical difficulties. He had a cardiacstress test, and the results were ominous. He wasscheduled for an invasive cardiac catheter test tosee what was wrong with his heart.I was heartsick with worry. My brotherstruggled with his weight all his life, and hisdietary habits were poor. Plus, my late husbandalso had a weight and diet problem, and had diedof heart failure; I was still grieving that loss.I tried to prepare myself for the worst. Then Iremembered the booklet of prayers to Saint Judethe Rosary Shrine of Saint Jude had sent me. Iprayed them earnestly. As the date for his testapproached, I began and completed the Novenato Saint Jude.On the day the test results arrived, I wasastonished. They showed that he had had a ‘falsepositive’ stress test for heart disease. But this wasnot the miracle; people make mistakes, even inthe medical sciences. This was a happy mistake.The miracle was when his cardiologist said tohim, “Sir, I envy you! You have the strong, healthyheart of a 20-year-old! Not even a hint of heartdisease!” What are the odds, given his weight, age,and lifestyle?I joyously credit Saint Jude and his intercessoryprayer to our Lord for my brother’s life and I praythat others will take heart from my experience.-PattyA Tough-Love MiracleMy brother was a heavy drinker. It started afterhe lost his wife at a young age, and he was left tojuggle raising his 12-year-old son and working.Unfortunately, he turned to drinking, and it gotout of hand. I prayed to Saint Jude to intercedefor me to our Lord and help him turn away fromthis addiction.SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV8i1.indd 5God answered my prayer with a miracle, andmy brother was stricken with pseudogout (apainful disease). His doctor told him never totouch alcohol again or he could die.It's been two years since then, and my brother isback to his kind and gentle self. My nephew is now25 years old and an accomplished auto mechanic.Both are living happily together and it's all becauseSaint Jude heard my plea.-BeverlyGod can Bring Goodout of our FaultsI’m responsible for caring for my elderlymother, who has dementia. My sister, whose housewe were staying at, always criticized me for beingmessy and for emptying the clean towels from thedryer onto the laundry room floor.One day I had to leave mom for 20 minutes asI drove my nephew to a little league game. I puther in a comfortable chair, and told her to stay putuntil I returned. As I was driving back from theballfield, I could see through the window from theroad that the chair was empty. I prayed to SaintJude that mom would be okay.Inside the house, I looked down the hallwayand saw mom’s legs sticking out from a doorway.She had fallen, and I always knew that a serious fallwould be the end for her. As I rushed over–againpraying to Saint Jude–I saw that she had falleninto the laundry room onto the pile of towels Ihad left on the floor. She was completely fine andwas even laughing!54/12/22 10:52 AM
God can bring good even out of our faults. Thenext time my sister criticized me for being messy,I reminded her that it saved mom’s life.-Brian40 Days of PrayerI had been looking for a job for more than ayear that would allow me to work from home. Myfather had recently passed away, and I did not wantto leave my aged mother by herself. My motherand I prayed for 40 days to Saint Jude by prayingone Our Father on the first day, two Our Fatherson the second day, all the way to praying 40 OurFathers on the fortieth day. On the last day, I washired at a good job that would allow me to workremotely. I can now pay my mortgage, car, andother bills. I can also go to daily Mass and bringHoly Communion to my mother. Thank you, SaintJude, for helping me pray to God for His mercyand blessings.-Theresa39 Years of AnguishFor 39 years I suffered from a binge eatingdisorder. I did everything on the planet to getwell–including a five-month stint at a premiereating disorder clinic in Manhattan–and spentmore money than I care to count seeking a cure.Finally, I prayed to Saint Jude, and my prayers wereanswered. I no longer binge eat, am reducing myweight gradually, and have found freedom from39 years of anguish.-Elizabeth-AnneAcceptedOur grandson, a senior in high school, has beenworking incredibly hard to be admitted to WestPoint after graduation. He is an excellent student,but he did not apply to other schools for admission.6V8i1.indd 6His focus is solely on West Point. His whole familyhas been praying that if this was the right thingfor him spiritually, mentally, emotionally andphysically, he would be accepted. He was notifiedon Friday that he was!-JillCall her “Jude”Many years ago, my Mom married and hadthree boys. She longed for a girl. So, she prayedto Saint Jude that her next pregnancy would bea girl. She promised Saint Jude that she wouldname the little girl after him. So here I am, a girlnamed Judith; usually called “Jude” by my siblingsand my husband. But Saint Jude wasn’t done. MyMom had two more girls after me, followed bytwo more boys.-JudithI truly believed that I would never conceive achild. At 35 years old, I started praying to SaintJude and I was amazed when I found out thatsummer that I was pregnant! I now have anamazing son and I thank Saint Jude for answeringmy prayers.-SusanShare your Saint Jude story by using thereply envelope included in this issue,emailingrssj@dominicanfriars.org,or contacting us on Facebook atfacebook.com/rosarysaintjude.SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE I4/12/22 10:52 AM
Struggling with an addiction?Pray this prayer to Saint Jude.By Philip KosloskiThis article originally appeared at Aleteia.org and is reprinted with permission.Addiction comes in many different formsand affects people from all walks of life. Itisn’t easy to overcome and always requiresan interior process of healing.Ultimately God is that source of healing, whetherit occurs at a meeting of fellow addicts or throughhours and hours of counseling. He is there with openarms, ready to accept a person back into His fold.Another way to draw closer to that healing isthrough a life devoted to prayer, daily opening upour hearts to God and asking Him to come downto heal us. A powerful intercessor in this realm ofaddiction is Saint Jude, known as a patron saint ofdesperate cases. He works tirelessly for those whoare most in need of help and brings the healing touchof God upon them.Here is one such prayer to Saint Jude for thosesuffering an addiction of any kind. Pray it daily andlet God flood your heart with His infinite love andmercy:God of life, You made me in Your perfect image,to live in Your love and to give You glory, honorand praise. Open my heart to Your healing power.Come, Lord Jesus, calm my soul just as Youwhispered “Peace” to the stormy sea.Saint Jude, most holy Apostle, in my need I reachout to you. I beg you to intercede for me that I mayfind strength to overcome my illness. Bless all thosewho struggle with addiction. Touch them, healthem, reassure them of the Father’s constant love.Remain at my side, Saint Jude, to chase away allevil temptations, fears, and doubts. May the quietassurance of your loving presence illuminate thedarkness in my heart and bring lasting peace.Amen.LEAVE A LEGACY OF HOPEHelp us continue our mission of spreadingdevotion to Saint Jude through a gift in your will.To request your complimentary brochure, pleasecomplete the enclosed reply card or contactRossano Rovello, Director of Gift Planning:SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV8i1.indd 7(646) 350-0108rrovello@dominicanfriars.org74/12/22 10:52 AM
I’M A SAINT JUDE MIRACLEBy Julian Luna IIIIn February 1981 I was 31 years old, living inLaredo, Texas, and in very good health. Oneevening, during a Valentine dance, I was dancingin a Twist and Shout contest. As I left the event, Iheard a sound coming from my chest area. At firstI thought it was just congestion since it was coldoutside. The following day, when I returned homefrom work, I was still experiencing a congestionsound from my chest. I asked my wife to listen tothe sound. She became very alarmed and asked thatI go to the emergency room to have it checked out.Before we left, I called a friend who was aphysician. My friend told me that he was playingtennis with a cardiologist and that both of themwould meet me in the emergency room.I met them in the hospital, and after several tests,the cardiologist said that the sound was comingfrom my heart and was a honking murmur. Hesuggested that I leave immediately for a hearthospital in San Antonio, which was 150 miles away.He recommended a helicopter, and I told him thatI needed to say goodbye to our four children andpack for the trip.I went back home and said goodbyes notknowing if it was going to be my final farewell. Thekids were left with my mother-in-law and my sisterwhile my wife drove me to the Santa Rosa MedicalCenter in San Antonio, where I was met by themedical staff at the front door.They quickly conducted tests. The results werethat I had ruptured the cuspid valves from my aorta.Because the cuspid valves were gone, the blood flowwas enlarging my heart chamber.8V8i1.indd 8ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDE DONORS MARY LOU AND JULIAN LUNAIII WERE MARRIED FOR 51 YEARS, AND HAVE SIX CHILDREN WITH SIXSPOUSES AND 12 GRANDCHILDREN. MARY LOU PASSED AWAY ON APRIL24, 2021 AND IS REMEMBERED IN THE PRAYERS OF THE DOMINICANFRIARS AT THE ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDE.SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE I4/12/22 10:52 AM
The next morning the cardiac surgeon walkedinto the room and asked how I was feeling. I toldhim my heart felt like an engine missing a sparkplug. He told me in blunt terms that my heart wasbeginning to fail. He then told me there were threeoptions. The first was drug therapy, but I wouldnot likely survive the treatment. The second wasa ball valve, which would be risky since the cuspidvalves were missing. The third option was a brandnew device called the ‘Saint Jude valve,’ but onlyafter opening my chest would he be able to tell if itwas the right fit.My wife Mary Lou, who had always been adevoted follower of Saint Jude and named our sonafter him, said “yes!” It was a sign to her and to me.Early the next morning I was prepared for anoperation to remove the aortic valve and replaceit with a Saint Jude valve. After several hours, theoperation was complete.This was 1981, and these operations were a newfrontier, but that evening I was walking throughthe hospital halls in my gown. That evening, thesurgeon told me that the operation had been asuccess, that I was the youngest patient he hadSAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV8i1.indd 9ever treated, and that I could return to work ina few weeks. However, in seven years, he said, Iwould probably need another operation to replacethe valve.Wel l, Februar y 2021 marked my 40t hanniversary with the original Saint Jude valve.God blessed me with a loving wife, six children,and 12 grandchildren. I truly believe that I am aSaint Jude miracle!“The cardiac surgeonwalked into the room andasked how I was feeling. Itold him my heart felt likean engine missing a sparkplug. He told me in bluntterms that my heart wasbeginning to fail.”94/12/22 10:52 AM
SHROUD, PAINTING, OR MEDALLION?THE MYSTERIOUS ICONOGRAPHYOF SAINT JUDE THADDEUSBy Father Gabriel Gillen, O.P.You may have heard of the Holy Shroud ofTurin, the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupein Mexico, and the Miraculous Veil of SaintVeronica. These images have miraculous origins;they were not painted by human hands.The earliest paintings of Saint Jude depict himas bearing a cloth imprinted with the image ofChrist (see front cover.) Later paintings make itappear that Saint Jude is wearing a medal aroundhis neck.According to tradition, King Abgar of Edessawrote a letter to Jesus, asking Christ to visitand cure him. Jesus declined the invitation,but promised a future visitation by one of HisApostles. The promised Apostle turned out to beSaint Jude Thaddeus, who brought a painting ofJesus and healed the king.However, a later version of the legend fromthe 6th century (Acts of Thaddeus) recountsthat the image was not a painting but a burialshroud folded twice andthen fourfold. Saint JohnDamascene also describedthe Holy Image of Edessaas a large garment. It isinteresting to note thatthe Shroud of Turin hasthis same fourfold pattern.Centuries later, in 994, thecloth was transferred fromEdessa to Constantinople.THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS CHRISTEmperor Constantine VIIIS SHOWN IN THE CATHEDRALdescribed the image on itOF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST INas “extremely faint, moreTURIN, ITALY.like a moist secretion10V8i1.indd 10“Recent scientific studies revealthat the Shroud of Turincontains 20 different plantpollens that are from theAnatolia and Urfa regions ofEdessa in modern Turkey. Thesepollens are not found in eitherJerusalem or Europe.”without pigment or the painter’s art.”Recent scientific studies reveal that the Shroudof Turin contains 20 different plant pollens thatare from the Anatolia and Urfa regions of Edessain modern Turkey. These pollens are not foundin either Jerusalem or Europe. There are excellenthistorians who have amassed a good deal ofevidence making a strong case for the Shroudhaving been in Edessa.So was the King of Edessa healed by a paintingof Christ or was it the miraculous image of theHoly Shroud? Saint Jude may have carried bothto Edessa or he may have simply folded the largeShroud so that only the face of Christ showed.If so, the most practical way for him to carrythe Shroud at the time would have been in abasket. Perhaps this explains all the paintings ofSaint Jude carrying the image of Christ’s face onsomething round, like a medallion.Whatever the case, we know that Saint Judestill carries out miracles in our own day. May wecontinue to seek his intercession when all hopeseems lost!SAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE I4/12/22 10:52 AM
THE NEXT TIME YOU PRAY MAYBE THE TIME GOD ANSWERSBy Bro. Bartholomew Calvano, O.P.Saint Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes.Many of us seek his intercession after weeks,months, or years of unanswered prayers. Whydoes God not answer our prayers? Jesus says,“everyone who asks, receives; and the one whoseeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, thedoor will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10) Is there anyexplanation to be found?Sometimes, God does not answer our prayersbecause we are asking wrongly (James 4:3). Weare asking for things that will hurt us instead ofhelp us. As a good Father, God will not give ussomething that will be harmful to us even if weask Him for it.That something is harmful can be hard to seeat times. How can healing from an illness or adisability hurt us? There are times when a personis drawn closer to God precisely through anillness, or families are strengthened in caring for aloved one with a disability. God is more concernedfor our spiritual health than our physical health.What about when we ask for spiritual goods?What about the parent or grandparent askingfor their child or grandchild to come back tochurch? Surely, this is a good thing to ask for. Inthis instance it is necessary to have faith that Godloves us and has a plan for us. Sometimes we seeparts of that plan, but here on earth we will neversee it all. The saints in heaven see God and see theplan that He has known from eternity.None of our prayers are wasted. Our prayerscannot cause spiritual or physical healing. Ourprayers ask God, the divine physician, to providehealing. God is the one who is able to heal. Heheals whom He wills and, sometimes, He willsSAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IV8i1.indd 11BRO. BARTHOLOMEW CALVANO, O.P., HAS BEEN PRAYING FORYOUR INTENTIONS AT THE ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDETHROUGHOUT THE YEAR. HE AND NINE CLASSMATES WILL BEORDAINED PRIESTS THIS MAY!to heal people in response to our prayers. Notnecessarily the first time we pray, or the tenth, orthe hundredth, or even the thousandth time wepray, but perhaps the next time we pray will bewhen God chooses to act.Remember the parable that Jesus tells of thepersistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). He speaks of thenecessity to pray always without growing weary.Many who have recourse to Saint Jude are weary.If you’re one of them, be renewed in trusting theLord! Jesus gives rest to the weary and burdened(Matt 11:28), so continue to cast all your cares onHim because He cares for you (1 Pet 5:7). Godknows when best to act and makes all things workto the good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).114/12/22 10:52 AM
2022 Summer/Fall NovenasJul 18 – 26:Saints Anne & Joachim NovenaSep 8 – 16:Blessed Mother’s Birthday NovenaSep 29 – Oct 7:Holy Rosary NovenaOct 20 – 28:Saint Jude Feast Day NovenaMonth of November:Poor Souls Mass RemembranceSend us your intentions for ourSaint Anne Novena of Masses:July 18 through July 26!Dec 17 – 25:Christmas NovenaPRAYER FOR THE INTENTIONSOF ROSARY SHRINEOF SAINT JUDE PATRONS“For all the intentions entrusted to theintercession of Our Lady of the Rosaryand Saint Jude the Apostle: that theLord will ease the burden and sufferingof those in difficult and desperatecircumstances and give them graceand peace.”This prayer is included at all weekend (Vigil/Sunday) Masses at Saint Dominic’s Church inWashington, DC, where the Rosary Shrine ofSaint Jude is located.The Rosary is also prayed daily for theintentions of patrons of the Rosary Shrine ofSaint Jude, and on Fridays there is venerationof the first-class relic of Saint Jude followingthe midday Mass.ROSARY SHRINE OF SAINT JUDEJUDE501 SIXTH STREET, SW, WASHINGTON, DC 2002412ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE141 E. 65TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10065V8i1.indd 12SUBSCRIBESubscribe to our YouTube channelfor special prayer videos, Novenas,reflections, and .COM/SAINTJUDEyoutube.com/saintjudeW W W.ROSARYSHRINEOFSTJUDE.ORGSAINT JUDE MESSENGER VOLUME VIII, ISSUE IRSSJ@DOMINICANFRIARS.ORG4/12/22 10:52 AM
Saint Jude's Healing Hands I visited the Shrine of Saint Jude in Saint Dominic's Church in October 2021. I prayed the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy facing the main altar. Afterwards, I toured the inside of the church, and my final stop was the statue of Saint Jude Thaddeus. I prayed to him for relief from a
