The statue comes from the now closed church of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Yonkers (Warburton Ave. – closed 2007). Be sure to pray for the former parishioners of that parish, especially for their deceased parishioners.
St. Jude is the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes and one of Jesus’ original twelve Apostles. His own first name, “Jude,” means giver of joy, while “Thaddeus,” another name he was called, means generous and kind. He preached the Gospel with great passion, often in the most difficult circumstances. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he made profound differences in people’s lives as he offered them the Word of God. The Gospel tells us that St. Jude was a brother of St. James the Less, also one of the Apostles. They are described in the Gospel of Matthew as the “brethren” of
Jesus, probably cousins.
St. Jude is traditionally depicted carrying the image of Jesus in his hand. This recalls one of his miracles during his work spreading the Word of God. 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, Jesus pressed His face on a cloth, leaving the image of His face on it. He gave the cloth to St. Jude, who took the image to Abagar and cured him. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. Jude traveled throughout Mesopotamia, Libya, and Persia with St. Simon preaching and building up the foundations of the early Church. St. Jude died a martyr’s death for his unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming (hopeless) odds. His body brought to Rome and is now in St. Peter's Basilica.
We turn to St. Jude in times of need and for serious or seemingly hopeless causes — including depression, grieving, unemployment, addiction and severe illness — and ask for
his intercession. His feast day is October 28.
Most holy Apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, friend of Jesus, I place myself in your care at this difficult time. Help me know that I need not face my troubles alone. Please join me in my need, asking God to send me: consolation in my sorrow, courage in my fear, and healing in the midst of my suffering. Ask our loving Lord to fill me with the grace to accept whatever may lie ahead for me and my loved ones, and to strengthen my faith in God's healing powers. Thank you, Saint Jude Thaddeus, for the promise of hope you hold out to all who believe, and inspire me to give this gift of hope to others as it has been given to me. Amen.