I thought it complemented the post very nicely. Thank you, Jeannie, for a very interesting point. The Lebanese have a particular devotion to St. Jude, not so much as patron of the hopeless, but as an Apostle to the East. In the Orthodox tradition St. Jude died and was buried outside of what is now Beirut.

There are very strong legends, some likely rooted in truth, about St. Jude’s apostolate in Lebanon. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Research Center was founded by Actor/Comedian Danny Thomas who is Lebanese by birth. Thanks again for your comments.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Fr. Gordon

St. Jude and hope not only lives through the song, but more importantly he is every day invoked at St. Jude’s children’s hospital where hope and the impossible are united. That of course is sacredly perfect since the child’s faith is the faith that Christ calls us to have and the faith of a child not only hopes but believes in the impossible.

The child also has joy and wonder and awe and gratitude, all the province of the disciples as well. No matter their circumstances, the certainty of their faith allowed them joy in the face of martyrdom and an unflagging call to witness through their hearts and faith up to the last minute of their lives.

The thing is, St. Jude is the saint of hopeless causes but all saints effectively are joined to Christ, who made the impossible possible, the forgiveness of our sins through the Resurrection. I don’t really know any more than you do of the genesis of St. Jude, but if some pray to him, with hope, and find their path to faith through him, it ties in with what Pope Benedict and Pope John Paul II both have said, that we cannot know how some will come to faith and each journey is individual and mysterious with only the Holy Trinity understanding how each soul comes to them.

I am so grateful that so many saints exist with whom people relate for different reasons. I am so grateful that they came from all walks of life with all sorts of temperament and all types of trials. I am so grateful that you are adding a journey with which many who doubted will relate.

God bless you, Father.

I was and am a big Beatles fan. I own most if not all of their albums – and many of the 45’s back to the early days. As a Missionary of Charity co-worker, and one who thinks he is living the vow of povery (in my own state), I know it is silly to hang on to this stuff for so long.

I am sure the song “Hey Jude” written by Paul, was about John’s son Julian. Being in 8th grade at the time of it’s release, the connection to St. Jude would have never occurred to me.

I do remember when “Let it Be” was released – no one agreed with me – but I knew this song was about our Dear Mother Mary. Paul was raised a Catholic – his mother may very well have prayed the Rosary.

God bless you!

You were particularly remembered and prayed for during my visits to venerate the relics of St Therese at Westminster. I was there for both the arrival and the departure and these were truly wonderful occasions. There is a balcony over the main doors of Westminster Cathedral (from which Pope John Paul II once gave his blessing) and when the relics were brought out a multitude of rose petals was dropped from there.

The occasions were both joyful and prayerful. May the prayers of St Therese sustain you and those of St Jude keep you in hope.