Thousands Come to See and Venerate Relic of Saint Jude
From November 27 – December 5, 2023, the Diocese of Rockville Centre hosted a nine parish visit Tour of the Relics of Saint Jude the Apostle. The relic visited Saint Jude Church, Mastic Beach; Saint Anthony of Padua Church, East Northport, Saint Patrick Church, Bay Shore, N.Y. Holy Family Church, Hicksville; Notre Dame Church, New Hyde Park; Saint Patrick Church, Glen Cove; Holy Name of Jesus Church, Woodbury; Saint Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre; and Saint Patrick Church, Huntington,
Father John Ryan, pastor of the Parish of St. Jude, Mastic Beach, the first stop for the relic in the Diocese, said he recorded 1,519 visitors. Father Christoper Sullivan, pastor of Holy Family Parish, Hicksville said approximately 2,800 people were in attendance. Father Michael Duffy, rector of St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre said that 4945 people passed by the relic in the Cathedral. The Cathedral was also standing room only for the special Mass which also aired on Catholic Faith Network.
Saint Jude’s visit offered a unique opportunity to experience a connection with one of the most venerated figures in Christian history. “Regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, the visit provided an opportunity for individuals to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in Heaven and beholds God face-to-face,” said Father Carlos Martins, CC, a Custos Reliquiarum (ecclesiastically-appointed curate of relics) and director of Treasures of the Church. “It allows devotees to receive his blessing and entrust him with their petitions.”
“Relics are objects that have a direct link to the saints or to Jesus,” said Father Eric Fasano, Vicar General, Diocese of Rockville Centre. “First-class relics are usually pieces of bone from a saint. We treat relics with reverence because they are links to the saints, whose inspiring lives we seek to imitate. Just as God works many miracles through the intercession of saints during and after their earthly lives, saints’ relics can be channels of God’s grace and strength for us now.”
As the son of Mary of Clopas (Cleophas), the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary and one of the “three Marys” who stood by Jesus during His crucifixion, Jude is the Lord’s first cousin.
Saint Jude’s body was buried in the place of his martyrdom but was transferred to Rome during the time of the Emperor Constantine. His tomb rests directly below the main altar of the left transept of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Several centuries ago, his arm was removed and placed in a simple wooden reliquary carved in the shape of a priestly arm, imparting a blessing. They reside within the same today.
Father Fasano said the reason people are attracted to the relic is a desire to be close to God, whether they know it or not. “The human heart was made by the love of God, for the love of God, and to live with God forever. That is why we are never fully satisfied by the “things” of this world. People are drawn to relics of the saints because they want to touch heaven. They seek comfort, forgiveness, meaning, encouragement, hope and love. The saints point us to Christ, who offers us all of these and more. That is why crowds of people have come to venerate the relic of Saint Jude.”
Father Fasano said that the visit of Saint Jude’s relic was an incredibly unique opportunity. “This is the arm of an Apostle who ate with our Lord Jesus at the Last Supper. It is an arm that hugged Jesus, Jude’s first cousin. We pray that the presence of this blessed relic will be a source of inspiration and grace for all people of Long Island, and especially for our Diocese during these challenging times.”
National Night of Prayer for Life – Diocese of Rockville Centre – Dec. 8
Pray for Priests, Clergy, Religious, and their Families – December 2023
Christmas at the Seminary – Sunday, Dec. 10
Coffee with Jesus Advent Zoom Webinars with Bishop Andrzej
Holy Hour for Vocations – Dec. 15
Retrovaille – Jan. 19-21, 2024
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