By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
In a rare, one-of-a kind event, the arm of St. Jude the apostle is coming to the Diocese of Grand Rapids on Monday, Oct. 9, specifically, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Parish.
“I feel very excited about this particular relic coming,” said Michael Tober, director of Religious Education for Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Parish, and a parishioner since 2003. “If my feeling of excitement were a number between 1 to 10 with 10 being the strongest, my feeling would be a 10. This excitement would be similar to what it would feel like just before meeting a family member again after being separated from them for a long time.”
Veneration of the relic begins at 1 p.m. with a mass in honor of St. Jude at 7 p.m, and the visit ends at 10 p.m. The relic will be in the main sanctuary of Sacred Heart, 151 Garfield Ave. SW, Grand Rapids. Parking is limited, so it’s expected that people will park on side streets around the Church.
Sacred Heart is the only Grand Rapids stop
From September 2023 to May 2024, the arm of Saint Jude Thaddeus will be on pilgrimage in the United States, making stops in 100 cities. Sacred Heart is the only Grand Rapids stop. (Source: The Apostle of the Impossible website)
First time leaving Italy
Sponsored by the Tour of the Relics of St. Jude the Apostle, this is the first time the arm has left Italy.
“The Vatican does release certain relics from time to time so Christians around the world may venerate them,” Tober said. “However, these are always special occasions and not the norm. This relic has never left Rome, so in that sense given how long it has been there it is rare.”
Tober said the arm also will stop in the Lansing Diocese and in several Detroit locations. Click here for more information about St. Jude and for the U.S. tour schedule.
Known as the Apostle of the Impossible, St. Jude is revered for his unwavering dedication and steadfast faith. Millions have experienced his intercession in times of adversity and need.
How many people is Sacred Heart anticipating?
“Our expectation is somewhere around 5,000 visitors between 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” said Tober, who holds a degree in theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, as well as a Master Certification in Catechetics in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Relics on display at Sacred Heart
Tober said other relics are on display at Sacred Heart throughout the year.
“Sacred Heart has relics of St. John the Apostle, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Thomas Aquinas, to name a few,” Tober explained. “They are located in a reliquary in our baptistry. First class relics comprise of either bone, hair, skin or blood of a saint.”
