Novena for Christian Brothers University

Christian Brothers University, a fellow Lasallian school, has recently declared financial exigency, which will result in campus-wide budget cuts. As we know all too well, financial burdens create a difficult and challenging time for any school. It is a time of uncertainty and anxiety for students, parents, faculty, and staff.

In the midst of this difficulty, it is important to remember we are a Lasallian family. We are all connected to each other through our shared commitment to the Lasallian mission of educating the poor.

Please join in praying for our sisters and brothers at Christian Brothers University. Pray for their strength and courage during this difficult time, for the wisdom of leaders as they make hard decisions about the future of the school, and for all those who will be affected by this exigency, especially the students, faculty, and staff. We will be praying this prayer together as a community at our daily 12:15 Mass in the Saint Thomas More Chapel. A hardcopy of the novena is available on prayer cards in the chapel.

About Novenas 

A novena is a traditional Catholic prayer, typically lasting 9 days, for some special intention. Its origin goes back to the nine days the Disciples and Mary spent together in prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost.

About the St. Jude Novena

Saint Jude was one of Jesus’ twelve original apostles… Saint Jude is also known by the name Thaddeus, which means sweetness and gentleness of character.

Saint Jude followed Jesus faithfully until His crucifixion, and then later worked on evangelization. Very little is known about his life, but we do know that he died as a martyr — some say around 65 AD, giving his life to Jesus Christ.

He is now one of the most invoked saints for intercession in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stressed the importance of a faithful person persevering in the environment of harsh circumstances.

Saint Jude is the patron saint of Hopeless Causes and Desperate Situations… We like to say that he is the patron saint of “Impossible Causes” because even though something may seem hopeless, with God there is always hope. (praymorenovenas.com)

St. Jude Novena (to pray daily from September 20-September 28, the feast of St. Jude)

Most holy St. Jude – apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions!

I especially pray for the needs of Christian Brothers University

You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.

Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.

St. Jude, you loved our Lord, help me to love Him more.

O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance.  Help me in my present and urgent petition.  In return, I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.  St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid.  Amen.

conclude by praying 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be