Novena to St. Jude

Thank you, St. Jude Thaddeus

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:00:16 GMT

Over the past few months I have come to the realization that I am unable to care for my husband, Lloyd; do my paying job; keep house and care for and train Lloyd's puppy entirely by myself. Since no one, in either of our families, lives closer than a three hour drive, I feel that I am essentially alone in making the decisions that affect me and Lloyd as his alzheimer's disease progresses.

My co-worker, Jim, and I have been talking since before the end of the year about my husband's worsening condition. Jim, a self-described cradele Catholic, told me that I ought to pray to St. Jude. Being raised a Methodist, I believe that we are all saints. However, I have come to believe there are souls whose work continues once they leave the mortal plane. There are many people in this world who genuinely believe that God has granted prayers when they have asked these "saints" for help after praying on their own for long periods of time.

So, I completed a novena (see below) to Saint Jude Thaddeus, whom the Roman Catholics revere as the patron of hopeless causes and despaired of cases. Mostly, I just need God's help to find help, to sort through all the offers available and to make the right choices for Lloyd and myself relating to his health and my own.

Since starting the novena, I found and called the Alzheimer's Association of South Central Kansas, They put me in touch with Home Instead Senior Care, who will provide a home helper licensed, bonded and trained to work with people afflicted with AD. They are to introduce us to Jimmy on Tuesday. He will do light housework, let the dog out (and in) and interact with Lloyd.

This beginning may not be truly miraculous, but just being raised out of depression and procrastination is marvelous. Now that I have reached out, I feel that I—with God's help, assisted by St. Jude, and with aid from friends like Jim and the Alzheimer's Association—can help my husband in his declining years.

This morning's prayer:

I thank You, God, for helping me get through my procrastination to make some decisions. I thank you, St. Jude Thaddeus, for the help you have given in praying with me for God's help. I pray this thank you in the name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen

Tags: Thank you GOD, Thank you St. Jude, prayer, results

Progress Report

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:31:50 GMT

I will complete my novena tomorrow.

Yesterday Debbie, from Home Instead Senior Care, came to the house at my invitation to discuss their services. They are a franchise of a world-wide concern that offers non-medical home care to the elderly exclusively. . They have grouped their services as companionship, home helper, personal care and sleep over.

Currently, Lloyd and I are going to go for the home helper one day a week. If this works well, we will probably adjust to more services as needed. We are to be introduced to our helper on Tuesday.

My prayer

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:09:33 GMT

St. Jude Thaddeus, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the person (who betrayed our Lord) has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of hopeless cases, of things despaired of. Pray for me, who is so miserable; pray for me, that I may finally receive the consolations and the succour of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly in making the best choices for home help and for health care for my husband Lloyd, and eventually 24/7 care away from home for both Lloyd and myself because of his Alzheimer's disease, and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity.

I promise, O blessed St. Jude Thaddeus, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowedbe Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Tags: St. Jude Thaddeus, novena