Novena For Terri-Fifth Day

St. Jude Novena

Fifth Day--

Sometimes we are misled by the pictures
and the statues of the Apostles.

We see these men as vast in physique, with
flaming eyes, hands raised compellingly,
lips clearly accustomed to authority and the
powerful words of the Lord.

We forget, until we come to Jude (little
known and for centuries largely forgotten)
that these were ordinary men like ourselves.
There was little in their nature and nothing in
their background to give promise of what they
became. Poor sons, grubbing tradesmen,
accustomed to plain fare and dull company,
resigned to commonplace lives and obscure
ends, there was no sign of what they could
become.

Only the power of Christ made them different.
Before Christ called them, the Apostles were
even less than ordinary. After Christ
called them and always with Christ, the Apostles
were the glorious saints, martyrs, Popes,
and bishops, destined to make earth ring with
the greatest news since creation.

Jude without Christ...a nonentity; Jude with
Christ...one of the world's truly great.

Without Christ we ourselves are nobodies.
With Christ we can do all things in Him that
strengthens us.

To Saint Jude, powerful with the power of
Christ , 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.