Thoughts from our Chaplain - First views of our Shrine

Last month, Fr Michael joined the Shrine team as our Chaplain. Here he talks about his first month:

“One of the greatest joys of Faversham is to welcome pilgrims who have come here to express their devotion to Saint Jude, asking him to intercede for them and their needs. In the month that I have been Chaplain of the Shrine, I have seen many groups, families and individuals who have travelled here to spend a large part of their day with Saint Jude.  For most of them it is not their first visit, but for some it has been their first time.

These ‘first-timers’ all speak about the sense of prayer that they experience as they enter the grounds. These pilgrims are instantly part of a multitude of people who have been pilgrims here over the years.  Each pilgrim leaves some trace of their visit, not just in petitions or entries in the visitors book, but also in the fabric of the Shrine.

Pilgrims are part of something greater than their party, whatever size it may be. Arriving at the National Shrine of Saint Jude is a part of a journey which started long before their decision to visit here, and will continue for many years after they have left. 

Their journey becomes part of our journey, and our journey in turn becomes a part of theirs, and in all of this stands Jesus; for as he says in the Gospel for this coming Sunday: ‘where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’ (Matt 18.20)

Fr Michael Manning O. Carm., Chaplain

Pilgrims always welcome

Last week, Fr Michael (our chaplain) welcomed a group of pilgrims to the National Shrine of Saint Jude. Our photo below shows the pilgrims enjoying table fellowship whilst here. 

Pilgrims to the National Shrine of Saint Jude are always welcome to visit. Please contact the Shrine office if you would like to bring a group.

Photo of the month - September 2014

The Kossowski ceramic depicting the martyrdom of Saint Jude

Within the outer shrine there are the three ceramic plaques in the Outer Shrine area including one of the martyrdom of St. Jude. St. Jude is traditionally depicted with a club in his hand. This stems from the tradition that he was clubbed to death for his fidelity to Christ. The ceramic depicts this moment of human brutality - perhaps this is a moment for prayer for those in the modern world who suffer the same fate for their beliefs? 

Why not say the the following prayer to Saint Jude?

Glorious apostle, martyr and relative of Jesus, Saint Jude Thaddeus, who spread the Good News among distant nations; who won to the obedience of Jesus Christ many peoples by the power of his Holy Word; grant, I beseech you, from this day, that I may renounce every sinful habit, that I may be preserved from all evil thoughts, that I may love my neighbour as myself, that I may always obtain your assistance, particularly in every danger and difficulty, and that I may safely reach the heavenly country, with you, to adore the most Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Feast of Blessed Isidore Bakanja

Happy Feast of Blessed Isidore Bakanja. At the National Shrine of Saint Jude, we have a beautiful icon of this holy man (see below).

Blessed Isidore Bakanja was born in 1888 in a fishing community in the Congo. He was baptised on 6 May 1906 and from that day he wore faithfully the Carmelite scapular.

He was working in a plantation run by a colonialist who did not want Christianity to be spread. By wearing the scapular and showing everyone his faith, Blessed Isidore was flogged several times. In 1909, the superintendent of the business tore off the scapular and severely beat him. He died on 15 August 1909 as a result of the wounds inflicted in "punishment" for his faith and which he bore patiently while forgiving his aggressor.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 24 April 1994.

Green Pilgrimage to Canterbury - 3 October

***Update: If you are joining us, please arrive at the Shrine for 8.30am***

The National Shrine of Saint Jude are very pleased to announce that we are going to take part in a Green Pilgrimage on 3 October 2014. 

The Green Pilgrimage Network (GPN) is an initiative of the Communities and Partnerships Framework of the Diocese of Canterbury.   The Diocese joined the GPN last year, and is now developing an ecumenical partnership and associated action plan to highlight all the pilgrim places and ways in the Diocese, which exist alongside Canterbury Cathedral.  The GPN is a “global network of pilgrim cities and sacred sites around the world intending to be models of green action and care. The vision is that pilgrims, and the places that host them, will be cleaner, greener, and leave a positive footprint on the earth.” There are over 20 places in the GPN, worldwide and many of the world’s major faiths are part of this network.

Catherine Lloyd, Green Pilgrimage Network Project Officer said “We are delighted to be working with the National Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, as one of the many pilgrim places in Kent and the Diocese of Canterbury.  The Shrine is a good example of a modern sacred site, that has developed more recently, and which we are keen to promote alongside more historic routes and pilgrim destinations.  We look forward to greeting people making a “mini-pilgrimage” from Faversham as part of the GPN Canterbury Partnership launch on 3rd October.”

Fr Michael Manning, chaplain to the Shrine said, "This is all very exciting and we are looking forward to taking part in October. The National Shrine of Saint Jude is very proud to be part of this Green Pilgrimage Network".

The GPN partnership is using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the events around the launch and the associated Pilgrimage Weekend taking place in Canterbury  on 3-5th October, and are encouraging everyone who has photos, short videos, anecdotes, prayers and experiences to share to post them tagging with  #canpilgrim, so that they can all be gathered together online and shared.  

The National Shrine of Saint Jude would love to hear from you if you're interested in joining us on this special day. Please let the Shrine office know via shrineoffice@stjudeshrine.org.uk or 01795 539 214.

If you join an annual pilgrimage, we would love to hear about it, or even if you make a particular journey for personal reasons – in memory of a loved one perhaps – it would be good to hear your story, if you don’t mind sharing it of course! 

tag,  #canpilgrim on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Welcome to our new chaplain

This week, we welcomed our new chaplain to the National Shrine of Saint Jude: Fr Michael Manning, O.Carm. Fr Michael was born in Cambridge and has been a friar of the Carmelite Order since 1991. He is a familiar face at Aylesford where he has been ministering to the pilgrims for a number of years. We now welcome Fr Michael to the Shrine of St Jude, where he is looking forward to meeting you all.

Fr Michael's predecessor, Fr Piet is the Parish Priest for the church attached to the Shrine. We would like to thank Fr Piet very much for all his hard work, kindness, prayers, and love that he has shown all our pilgrims. Fr Piet is looking forward to seeing pilgrims at the Feast celebrations in October. 

We will be producing a full interview with Fr Michael in the next week. 

Fr Michael Manning looking at one of our statues of Saint Jude

Prayer for peace

To mark the centenary of Britain's entry into the First World War, we have lit a candle at the Shrine for the Fallen. Today, the Archbishop of Canterbury (our neighbour) said on Radio 4: "Never again, the slogan after so many wars, requires us to say yes to the words of Jesus who tells us that love for our enemies is in fact the only way to eliminate them. We make them our friends – and change our world forever." Let us pray for peace in the world.