Painting: Anthony van Dyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Catholics and non-Catholics alike know of St. Jude Thaddeus, patron saint of lost or hopeless causes. Many seek his prayers and own a candle, prayer card, or medal with his image.
St. Jude and his brother St. Simon celebrate their feast day (both old and new calendars) on Thursday, October 28th. This year, the day falls on a Thursday, a day when Fr. Damian does not pray the Latin Mass publicly (so he can have a much-deserved day to rest. October 28, 2021 was different. Having relics of both Saints Jude and Simon, Fr. Damian prayed the Latin Mass at 7am. After Mass, we venerated and were blessed with the relics. Great way to start the day.
In the afternoon, I texted a caregiver who had been in a hopeless situation. To be very cautious in concealing their identity, all I will say is that they had a deadline of a few more days before an opportunity to receive services in the home expired, after waiting a very long time.
In the text message, I mentioned how fitting today was to ask for favors of a hopeless challenge.
And so shortly after the texting, I prayed to St. Jude, asking for this favor for the caregiver who has become a friend. I knew this request was right in his wheelhouse.
To be clear, what happens next is about God’s graces and not me.
Three hours later as I am making some pizza for supper, my phone rings. It is my friend that I was texting with earlier.
In pure joy and amazement, the caregiver told me that the phone call that she had been waiting for happened. The needed services would become a reality and the planning would start the next week. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is life-changing for her and her family.
I often say that I’m “always amazed, never surprised” by God’s graces and the intercession, but this was above and beyond!
I believe that the person who ‘was’ in the difficult spot had many graces headed her way by virtue of what she does for her family, other caregivers in the community, and beyond. There’s no doubt in my mind, heart, and soul that St. Jude heard the “big ask” and took it to God.
This emboldens me to go to the saints even more and I hope that you will also. Will our prayers always be answered the way that we want them to? Nope. However, He does answer them, and His plan is better than ours. Jesus, I trust in you!
Speaking of “Jesus, I trust in you,” every Thursday for the Facebook Dementia Rosary Daily, we pray the “Litany of Trust.” join us live or catch the recording. You can go to www.DementiaRosary.com and see the recorded ones on the right side of the screen or like the page on Facebook (@DementiaRosary).
Please pray for our project to create sacred artwork prayers cards for families experiencing dementia: https://dementiarosary.com/artwork .
