St Jude, Apostle of Hope

On today’s Feast of St Simon and St Jude I am reproducing an entry in a website for the Shrine of St Simon and St Jude at Faversham, Kent.  This shrine was established by the O.Carms, a separate Order from us Teresian Carmelites (OCDS)  St Jude is for many their resort in times of despair or extreme difficulty.

‘Autumn has definitely returned and we are enjoying crisper mornings and darker evenings, but it is remains one of our favourite seasons here at the Shrine. The author, Emily Brontë was spot-on when she wrote, "every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree". The gardens around the Shrine, including the Garden of Hope, look beautiful as autumn takes hold.  Back in 1955, Carmelite friar, Fr. Elias Lynch, founded the Shrine for two reasons: first, because he was responding to the needs of the post-war generation who were looking for hope, and secondly because the Carmelite charism is so deeply rooted in the Word of God. It is therefore fitting that there is a place dedicated to Saint Jude - the Apostle of Hope. Both of Fr. Lynch’s initial reasons are still realities in 2024, and pilgrims find the Shrine to be a place of prayer, peace, and hope.’

Intercessions:

Im, as she continues her long-drawn-out recovery from a major operation

R, struggling with several ailments as she cares for her handicapped husband

B, struggling with cancer, and A, his wife

S, an infant with severe medical problems