It wasn't long ago when I started my novena to St. Jude. Among all the saints, the Church honors St. Jude to aid all those who are in desperate need. Ever since I have learned about this, way back in college, I have always approached St. Jude and he never failed me.
A couple of weeks ago I started my 9-day prayer to St. Jude. Pray this novena, 9 times a day for 9 consecutive days and your prayer will be heard:
Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus
Most Holy Apostle, St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master into the hands of his enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the Church honors you, and I invoke you as the special advocate of those who are in trouble and almost without hope. Help me to realize that through our faith we triumph over life's difficulties by the power of Jesus who loved us and gave his life for us. Come to my assistance that I may receive the consolation and succor of heaven in all my needs, trials, and sufferings, particularly (here make your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever.
St. Jude, apostle of the Word of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, follower of the Son of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, preacher of the love of God, pray for us.
St. Jude, intercessor before God, pray for us.
St. Jude, friend of all in need, pray for us.
St. Jude, pray for us, and for all who invoke your aid.
The last time I needed the intercession of St. Jude, I can't help but notice that he started helping me out already on my second day. Things were getting better on my second day of novena. I think the secret really is your faith and another trick: try your best, as in with all your might, not to sin.
Yesterday, I met with a friend for our weekly lakwacha. Although we talked about going to St. Jude Church before we met, we ended up visiting three more churches. I recommend all these churches to all those who want to reflect and to have good & peaceful conversation with God:
1. Before meeting Jeff in Galleria, I decided to drop by UA&P's chapel. When I was in college, this place was my sanctuary. Every prayer I had was heard and i think Blessed JoseMari Escriva helped lift my prayers to God.
2. St. Jude Church is located inside Malacañang Complex. To be honest, I wasn't aware that such church existed, I just heard from a lot of friends that there is such church. Jeff and I even got lost on our way there because I don't know my way around Manila. You can take me to Quezon City, Ortigas, Makati and even farther South but not Manila. What I found interesting the most is the candle-lighting. There were candles of various colors for certain prayer you have like yellow candle for family, pink for love, white for enlightenment, blue for career, green for money, etc... I took all the colors, a set of 9 colored-candles, and lit them all at the same time and put them on one container. Jeff and I decided to buy another set so we can light them up in a different church.
3. Jeff and I wanted to go to Shangri-la and just stroll around but surprisingly we got lost again. Although I knew already where I was going, I didn't know why I took a different turn, yun pala we ended up in another church, the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila. I've heard from Kris Aquino that two of their millionaire winners both came from Mt. Carmel and prayed. We got lost for a reason NOT TO BE MILLIONARES but to pray, so we stopped by and offered prayers again.
4. Lastly, we went to St. Claire Church along Katipunan. Back in the days, I used to offer a dozen eggs and write letters to God through St. Claire. Today, we brought out our candles and lit them up, offer prayer and even more prayers.
Yesterday's pilgrimage was not planned at all but at the end of the day, although it was tiring, I felt like I unloaded a big chunk of unknown something. I didn't pray for anything specific but I felt light afterwards.
MISSweety
