Top photo credit: Canva image
As special highlight of the Solemn Novena to St. Jude this year will be Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrating the 9:30 a.m. Mass Oct. 25.
The 86-year tradition of the Solemn Novena to St. Jude will take place Oct. 20-28 in St. Michael Church, 1130 Brunswick Ave., Trenton.
“Over the years, this novena has become a powerful spiritual journey and a source for countless personal healings,” said Father Peter Bujdos, C.O., a weekend assistant who celebrates the 8:30 a.m. Mass in English and the 10 a.m. Mass in Slovak on most Sunday mornings.
Apart from Oct. 25, the rest of the novena will include Mass at 9 a.m. followed by the praying of the St. Jude Novena. Each evening participants will reconvene in the church for prayer at 6 p.m., followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Evening Prayer will not be held Oct. 25. The Novena concludes on Oct. 28, the Feast Day of St. Jude. A Papal Blessing will be given after the morning Mass/ Novena and again after the evening Novena/Benediction.
Father Bujdos noted that 2026 marks the 87th anniversary of the novena and it is a “beautiful and longstanding tradition of faith and devotion.”
Throughout the Solemn Novena’s history, hundreds of people were drawn to St. Michael Church, which was often filled to capacity as people came from near and far to pray through the intercession of St. Jude, the patron saint of difficult and seemingly hopeless causes.
While present day circumstances are different and the number of attendees is smaller, “the devotion to St. Jude remains an important part of the spiritual heritage of St. Michael Church,” Father Bujdos said.
The St. Jude Solemn Novena began with Father Ladislav Rakvica, who as a young man suffered from a serious and potentially fatal illness. After making a remarkable recovery, Father Rakvica, who went on to became pastor of St. Michael Parish, was inspired to introduce the Solemn Novena to St. Jude which began Oct. 20, 1939.
“Over the decades, many people have come to this novena seeking healing, consolation, strength and hope,” Father Bujdos said. “There have been may testimonies of favors received through the intercession of St. Jude. These personal experiences have helped the devotion remain alive and have been passed from one generation to another.”
“Perhaps the devotion becomes especially meaningful during difficult times,” Father Bujdos added. “When people experience war, social uncertainty, illness, family problems or personal crisis, they naturally search for hope. Many turn to St. Jude, the patron saint of desperate and seemingly hopeless situations.”
Following the Oct. 25 Mass with Bishop O’Connell, a reception will be held in the church hall.
For more information, call 551-4823126.
St. Michael Church, which is part of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, is currently a trilingual community serving English, Korean and Slovak-speaking Catholics. Each week Masses are celebrated on: Thursdays at 10 a.m. (Korean), Fridays at 8 p.m. (Korean) and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. (English), 10 a.m. (Slovak) and 12:30 p.m. (Korean).