Visita Iglesia 2020: National Shrine of Saint Jude (Manila)

When I was still reviewing for the board exams, our review center brought us to a church just outside of the Malacañan Palace Compound. Back then I didn’t know the reason why our instructors brought us to that particular church. What I do know is that my prayers in that church and the intercession of St. Jude helped me pass the engineering board exam with, surprisingly, “flying colors”.

The church I am talking about is the National Shrine of Saint Jude in San Miguel, Manila.

St. Jude Thaddeus is one of the 12 apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was often confused with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed our Lord, that it was said that St. Jude was only invoked during desperate situations when the petitioner no longer has other saints to ask for intercession.

The National Shrine of St. Jude features the image of St. Jude Thaddeus where he is seen holding the image of Jesus. St. Jude is commonly depicted holding the face of Jesus because according to a legend, King Abagar of Edessa requested Jesus to heal him of leprosy. Since the king cannot go to Jesus, he sent an artist to draw His face. Our Lord is impressed with the king’s faith that He pressed His face on a cloth, leaving His face imprinted on it. Jesus then instructed St. Jude to bring the image of His face to the King of Edessa. This is why St. Jude is usually depicted as holding the face of Jesus.

Just like the other Apostles, St. Jude went to various places to preach the Gospel. He is believed to have been martyred either in Armenia or Beirut, Lebanon. His remains were buried St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome where many pilgrims received powerful intercessions.

The title of “Patron Saint of the Impossible” was revealed by God to St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Bernard.

Many people go to the National Shrine of Saint Jude every Thursday to bring their petitions and ask the intercession of St. Jude. Most of the petitioners are takers of board exams. St. Jude became popular to board examinees because passing the board exam is “impossible” and failing is not an option.

The Parish of Saint Jude, first named as the Espiritu Santo Chinese Parish, in San Miguel was established in 1954 to cater to the growing number of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese converts. The original Chinese parish church is the Binondo Church. However, the church cannot cater the growing number Chinese converts. The Chinese Catholics also spread to other parts of Metro Manila, beyond the reach of Binondo Church.

Binondo Church is now a Filipino church managed by secular priests. The Chinese identity of Binondo Church was already lost. The Dominican mission to the Filipino-Chinese was transferred to a small church at the back of Binondo Church.

Unlike Binondo Church, the Chinese identity of the National Shrine of Saint Jude is still alive. A proof of this is the image of a Chinese saint inside the church.

Too bad that I did not get that saint’s name.

The altar of the church features the crucified Jesus Christ. At the back of it is a stained glass that features balls of fire falling from the sun. The effect is that the ball of fire is descending upon our Lord on the cross.

The beautiful altar also has the tabernacle at the center.

The National Shrine of Saint Jude transformed from a personal Chinese parish to a territorial parish that cater to communities in the vicinity of the church. This church successfully retained its Chinese roots while growing with the Filipino community in its midst.

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Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (make your request here) - and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

Amen

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(Source: Wikimedia)

We are now in the third church for our virtual Visita Iglesia so we pray the:

Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

If you missed the earlier stations, I suggest that you visit the churches that we featured earlier in this year’s virtual Visita Iglesia:

Palm Sunday: Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord (Mandaluyong City)

Holy Monday: Our Lady of Sorrows Church (Pasay City)

Holy Tuesday: Holy Cross Church (Noveleta, Cavite)

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References:

1. St. Jude and History of St. Jude Parish from National Shrine of St. Jude website.
2. St. Jude Thaddaeus from Catholic Online
3. National Shrine of Saint Jude (Philippines) from Wikipedia
4. Novena to St. Jude - Desperate Situations and Hopeless Cases from EWTN
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