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Oct. 28 reflection Oct. 28 reflection

Finding hope in the patron saint of lost causes

Today is Oct. 28, the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles.

At Mass for today’s feast, we hear these words of St. Paul instructing us, “You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone” (Eph 2:19).

No offense to St. Simon, but my nephew’s name is Jude and St. Jude is my father’s patron saint, so I’ll focus on him today. St. Jude Thaddeus — known to us as the patron saint of hopeless causes — offers a steadfast reminder of God’s healing power and unwavering presence, even in our darkest hours. His healing intercession is rooted in his close relationship with Christ, as one of the Twelve Apostles chosen to spread the Good News. His life serves as a testimony that no situation is beyond God’s reach and no soul is beyond his healing embrace.

Through St. Jude, we are reminded that we are not isolated in our pain or difficulties. As members of the household of God, which St. Paul reminds us about, we are part of a greater spiritual reality, a family grounded in the Apostles, who carry Christ’s healing power to the world. We belong to the Church!

St. Jude’s powerful intercession flows forth from the household of faith, where Christ is the capstone, holding all things together. When we turn to St. Jude in prayer, especially in times of despair, we are drawn back to our spiritual foundation — where we find, most importantly, renewed hope! Through the prayers of this apostle, we are reminded that no illness or challenge can separate us from the healing love of Christ, which flows through his saints.

In one of my favorite novenas to St. Jude (and there are plenty out there), we pray, “Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.” Sometimes the biggest favor offered isn’t a great change; rather, it’s coming to find peace and acceptance even where we are.

But let’s pray big today, entrusting even the most difficult situations to St. Jude’s intercession:

O God, who by the blessed apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name, graciously grant, through the intercession of saints Simon and Jude, that the Church may constantly grow by increase of the peoples who believe in you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

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