Evening Novena For Terri

St. Jude Novena

-- Ninth Day

We too are called to be apostles.

The work of the Apostles only began with them.

That work was to be carried on by all the men and women who had learned the truth of Christ, who had experienced the joy of His love, and who wanted to share their great discovery with all other men.

Twelve men began the conquest of the world.  All of us are expected to carry on that conquest.

They dreamed that every new convert would be a fellow apostle, would speak of Christ with enthusiasm, would show forth in their Christlike lives virtues that were more powerful than wordy arguments, would live the constant miracle of purity and humility and unselfish service of God's children.

The world today waits for the coming of these successors of the Apostles. Year after year young men are ordained priests and older men are consecrated bishops to do the apostolic work.

But the world needs these children of the Apostles, the lay man and woman to carry Christ with them into homes and businesses, into schools and offices, to bear Christ within them wherever they go, wherever they are.

To Saint Jude the apostle we who are the sons and daughters of the Apostles 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.