Bone fragments that the Catholic Church says belong to St. Jude, one of the original 12 apostles of Jesus, were on display at St. Sebastian Parish in Akron Thursday as part of a national tour of relics of the “Apostle of the Impossible.”
Hundreds lined up in the first hour of veneration, captivating curious visitors and devotees alike.
“It’s the closest thing to Jesus I’m ever going to get. But I have Jesus here,” said Jeanne Wagner, who traveled to the church from Portage Lakes.
Ellen Bautista, who brought a group of friends from the Akron area, said, “Because he is the patron saint of the hopeless cause and desperate causes, I said, ‘Well, I have a lot of those, so I better pray to him.’ And maybe this time he will hear me and intercede for me.”
St. Jude Thaddeus, considered “the Lord’s first cousin,” stood by Jesus in the story of his Crucifixion, and his body was buried in the place of his martyrdom in the first century A.D., but was transferred to Rome during the time of Emperor Constantine, according to a news release from organizers of “Apostle of the Impossible: the Tour of the Relics of St. Jude the Apostle.”
Several centuries ago, St. Jude’s arm was removed from a tomb at St. Peter’s Basilica, and bone fragments were placed in a wood reliquary carved in the shape of an arm imparting a blessing— the same religious antique vessel that it resides within today, tour officials said.
Church leaders said the relic helps make faith more tangible.
“We depict the saints a lot in glass and mosaics and wood. But they were real people,” said St. Sebastian’s pastor, Rev. John A. Valencheck. “It’s part of that making the whole faith real and incarnating it into our lives.”
Thursday’s stop in Akron was one of seven in Ohio and came about after a phone call from the Diocese of Cleveland, Valencheck explained. The arm travels in a special vehicle with an entourage of handlers. There will be official banners and explanatory materials with careful instructions on worship.
The nationwide tour, running from September to May 2024, marks the first time the holy relic has left Italy and includes stops at Catholic dioceses in Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Texas, Oregon, and California.
“This was a good time for the patron saint of hope to come on tour and have people reconnect with that,” said tour director Fr. Carlos Martins, who explained the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects inspired the tour.
Some who made the pilgrimage told News 5 they were excited for a rare opportunity to see a piece of religious history in person. Others believe St. Jude has already changed their lives.
“I wanted to have a second child, and I was not having an easy time of it. And our babysitter suggested that I pray to St. Jude. And I did. And the very next cycle, I got pregnant,” said Celine De Peralta, who traveled from Alliance and considers herself a devotee.
Martins added, “People have contacted me following the visiting, claiming healing from cancer, stroke effects, aches, pains, arthritis.”
The veneration of the relic began at 1 p.m. at the church, located at 476 Mull Ave. An All Souls Day Mass in the presence of the arm will be celebrated at 7 p.m., and veneration of the relic will continue until 10 p.m.
St. Jude is an immensely popular saint and, according to Christian beliefs, is the son of Mary of Clopas, the sister of the Virgin Mary.
“Regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, the visit provides an opportunity for individuals to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in Heaven and beholds God face-to-face,” stated Father Carlos Martins, CC, a Custos Reliquiarum — ecclesiastically-appointed curate of relics — and director of Treasures of the Church. “It allows devotees to receive his blessing and entrust him with their petitions.”
CLICK HERE to learn more about St. Jude and the relic tour.
