May is the Month of Mary

St. Jude with flowers

Dear Friend of St. Jude,

As a member of our Circle of Hope, you are a priceless treasure to all of us. In a world where so many people sit by and do nothing to help those crying out in need, you are one of our Lord’s champions for good – one who truly serves Christ in the poor. We are so very grateful for your love and faithful support! 

For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary. Not only is she the Mother of God, she is also your mother, my mother, everyone’s mother, and because she cares for all of us without fail, interceding for us in even the tiniest of matters, the Church devotes an entire month to her honor.

Just as we rely on our own mothers when we need help, we must also rely on Mary and the saints – especially St. Jude – to intercede for us before God in our times of need. Mary and St. Jude are powerful intercessors on our behalf, and we need only to ask for their assistance through prayer. 

Perhaps this is a time when you need an intercessor to bring your petitions before our Lord. Are you worrying about a dear friend’s illness… or perhaps your own? Do you struggle to make ends meet… or is your child having a hard time finding a job? Whatever may be troubling you, please call on Mary and St. Jude to relieve your aching heart and fortify your faith in God. 

We Pallottine priests and brothers are honored to pray for St. Jude’s help in bringing your prayer requests before God. I’ve included just a few of the many thousands of testimonials we receive every year from people giving thanks for St. Jude’s miraculous intercession:

Twenty-three years ago, my son was addicted to heroin. After he went to rehab, I called on St. Jude for help by praying St. Jude’s prayer card daily for what seemed like a long time. I foolishly became discouraged, but I continued pleading with St. Jude. Lo and behold, my prayers were answered. My son has been drug-free for years, is happily married, and has raised three beautiful children. Along with Christ and the Blessed Virgin, St. Jude is my stronghold in life. I will always be indebted to him. – Helen

My grandson was born with a very serious heart problem. He had four open heart surgeries by the time he was 2 1/2. He also only had one functioning kidney. He survived it all and is now 19 years old. He graduated in June from high school and started college. He is a wonderful boy and a good student. I prayed to St. Jude, the Blessed Mother, and to Jesus – and I still do. I pray for him all the time. I pray for all sick children. God bless them all!

In 1976, my 17-year old son was paralyzed from the chest down in an auto accident. The neurosurgeon told me that it might be better if he had died. The doctor explained all the complications of paralysis, and I told him that I would carry my son on my back if I had to. I immediately turned to St. Jude. St. Jude has been my constant companion daily ever since. I am happy to tell everyone that my son graduated from college and got a great job. He is happily married and has 2 stepsons in college. I thank Our Lord, the Virgin Mary, and especially St. Jude for helping me and him daily. St. Jude did for both of us the unthinkable. Nothing is hopeless!

In 1960 when I got married at 21, I tried for three years to have a child. I could not. I prayed the Novena to St. Jude and the Blessed Mother. After nine weeks of Novenas, I was having my first boy. I went on to have four sons and they all have Jude for a middle name – John Jude, William Jude, Carmine Jude, and Michael Jude. I still pray all the time to the Virgin Mary and St. Jude. – Gail

St. Jude with flowersPlease send us your special intentions. In your kindness, please remember the poor in our missions in 54 countries around the world by sending an offering to support our ministries. 

In this month in which we honor Mary, the Mother of God, please pray to her often. She is our best example of love, mercy, and obedience to the Will of the Father. 

Thank you for all you do for our ministries. My prayer is that the kindness you share with us will be abundantly returned to you. You can count on me to seek God’s hope and help on your behalf and those who are dear to you. 

Wishing you the Hope of St. Jude,  

Fr. Peter Sticco, S.A.C.
Novena Director

P.S. Your gift today helps support all our Pallottine ministries, particularly our St. Jude Shrine and the poor we serve. Please be as generous as possible and be sure to send your prayer requests so they may be remembered in the prayers, Novenas and Masses at our Shrine and on the tomb of St. Jude in the Vatican.

About Fr. Peter Sticco

Fr. Peter Sticco, S.A.C. is the Novena Director of the St. Jude Shrine in Baltimore, MD.