A major relic of St. Jude, “the Apostle of the Impossible” is coming to Chicago from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Come experience the power and intercession of this saint. The relic will be available for veneration before and after all Sunday Masses at St. John Cantius Church from 4 pm on Saturday to 7 pm on Sunday.
The major relic consists of arm bones of St. Jude, released by the Holy See for a special tour of the United States organized by Treasures of the Church.
Known as the Apostle of the Impossible, Saint Jude is revered for his unwavering dedication and steadfast faith. Millions have experienced his intercession in times of adversity. The Holy See has also issued a plenary indulgence available to all pilgrims who venerate Saint Jude’s relics during this historic tour.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, September 9th
Welcoming of Relic and Solemn Vespers with Canons Regular
4:00 pm - Solemn Vespers and Reception of Major Relic
5:00 pm - English Mass with Sermon by Fr. Carlos Martins, CC
Sunday, September 10th
Fr. Carlos Martins, CC will preach about St. Jude at all Sunday Masses
7:30 am - Low Mass (1962 Missal, Latin)
9:00 am - English Mass
11:00 am - Latin Mass (2002 Missal, Latin)
12:30 pm - High Mass (1962 Missal, Latin)
Church remains open for prayer
5:00 pm - English Mass
7:00 pm - Veneration of relics ends and church closes
About Saint Jude - “The Apostle of the Impossible”
Saint Jude, known as Thaddeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. He is one of the twelve apostles. The Church has always felt that his connection to Our Lord and his mission has led to powerful intercession, even for the most hopeless of causes.
St. Jude's body was brought to Rome and left in a crypt in St. Peter's Basilica. Today his bones can be found in the left transept of St. Peter's Basilica under the main altar of St. Joseph in a tomb he shares with the remains of the apostle Simon the Zealot.
Pilgrims came to St. Jude's grave to pray and many reported a powerful intercession, leading to the title, "The Saint for the Hopeless and the Despaired." Two Saints, St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard, had visions from God asking them to accept St. Jude as "The Patron Saint of the Impossible."
Roman Catholics invoke St. Jude when in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances—just as their forefathers had done before them; therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases.