Carrying on a tradition 84 years in the making, St. Michael Church – worship site of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville – will host a Solemn Novena to St. Jude from Oct. 20 to 28.
All are invited to participate in the novena, led by Father Roy Ballacillo, parochial vicar in St. James Parish, Pennington, St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, and St. George Parish, Titusville.
Each day will begin with 9 a.m. Mass in St. Michael Church, 1130 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, followed by 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. On Sunday, Oct. 22, the novena Mass will be at 8:30 a.m., with no evening prayer scheduled. The Novena concludes on the Feast Day of St. Jude, Oct. 28. A Papal Blessing will be given after the morning Mass/Novena and again after the evening Novena/Benediction.
“Over the years, this novena has become a powerful spiritual journey and a source for countless personal healings,” said Father Peter Bujdos, a weekend assistant who celebrates the 10 a.m. Mass in Slovak on Sunday morning. “It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, faith can illuminate the path forward.”
The inspiration began with Father Ladislav Rakvica, then-pastor of St. Michael’s Church, whose life was touched by a divine miracle. Following his remarkable recovery, Father Rakvica was inspired to initiate the Solemn Novena to St. Jude on Oct. 20, 1939.
“Within these sacred walls, a profound devotion to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes, has flourished,” Father Bujdos said. “This enduring devotion began as a testament to faith and hope.”