History Of The Shrine
The emergence of the Outreach groups to spread devotion in honour of St. Jude started in Rome where St. Bridget lived for 23 years (in poverty and prayer) until she was called to glory in 1373. Worldwide shrines in honour of St. Jude can be found in Chundale Wynad Kerela, India, Chicago, Lagos Nigeria etc. These Shrines and well-established St. Jude Society Prayer Groups serve well as out-reach groups.
St. Jude Society came to Eastern Nigeria through St. Jude’s Shrine Chundale, Wynad Kerela, India, in 1955. The Society’s efforts at building a National Shrine in honour of St. Jude at Aba was thwarted by the Civil War of 1967-1970.
24 Years of Experience
After the war, the then National Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Donatus Abiamiri sought and obtained permission from Rev. Fr. K. V. John, S. J. Chaplain of St. Jude’s Shrine Chundale Wynad, Kerela, India to translate “MY TREASURE” the then “St. Jude Prayer Book” into the Igbo Language on 31st December, 1971.
In 1959, St. Jude Apostolate was established in Lagos by the Dominicans – Order of Preachers. They have established an Ultra-Modern Shrine in honour of this Great Saint at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba-Lagos, Nigeria and have spread their coverage to the West Coast of Africa.
Prayer To St. Jude
Jude, friend of Jesus, I place myself in your care at this difficult time. Pray for me; help me remember that I need not face my troubles alone. Please join me in my need, asking God to send me consolation in my sorrow, courage in my fear, and healing in the midst of my suffering.