Evening Novena For Terri

St. Jude Novena

-- Eighth Day

So it was that in our age Saint Jude became known as the saint of the impossible, as far as human power is concerned. Perhaps that appeals to our day.

Of a sudden, Catholics began to know how great was the power of the humble with God.  At a time when men deify fame and might, God counters with the humble Jude.

When other intercessors seemed to fail, they turned to Saint Jude and their petitions were answered, their needs filled.

When the problem seemed insoluble, prayer to Saint Jude solved it.

When the difficulty was too great to bear,  Saint Jude somehow managed to see that it was lifted.

It was almost as if he had set the pattern for one of the branches of our armed services:  "The difficult I shall take care of immediately; the impossible (in terms of human power) may take a little longer."

Faith found that humility means power in the eyes of God.

Men learned that, not outstanding deeds, but loving hearts count with the Savior; that the gratitude of Christ overflows to the ordinary man and woman who by His love and His grace attain to sanctity through the martyrdom of everyday duty.

To Saint Jude, humble saint of the ordinary, we say:

O God, who through Thy blessed Apostle Jude hast brought us into the knowledge of Thy name, grant that by advancing in virtue we may set forth his everlasting glory, and by setting forth his glory we may advance in virtue. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost. God, world without end.

Amen.