Relic of St. Jude to stop at three Wichita churches in November

The St. Jude relic on tour is preserved in a reliquary shaped like a priest’s hand giving a blessing. (Courtesy photo)

A first-class relic of St. Jude will be available for veneration at three churches in Wichita early next month.

A reliquary with a bone from the arm of St. Jude will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Saturday, Nov. 2; St. Jude Church on Sunday, Nov. 3, and Church of the Magdalen on Monday, Nov. 4.

According to the Catholic evangelization ministry Treasures of the Church, the relic is meant to provide solace and spiritual connection during challenging times.

Fr. Carlos Martins, the director of Treasures of the Church, said the relic’s visit presents a unique opportunity for individuals to forge a connection with a deeply revered figure in Christian history. “St. Jude, often considered the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, holds a special place in the hearts of many believers.”

Fr. Martins said the relic’s presence allows devotees to experience intimacy with someone who resides in heaven and stands before God, enabling them to receive blessings and entrust their petitions.

St. Jude, identified as the Lord’s first cousin, was one of Christ’s Twelve Apostles. He is believed to have been martyred in Beirut several decades after the death and resurrection of Christ. Centuries later, his body was transferred to a tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica. The relic on tour, his arm, is preserved in a reliquary shaped like a priest’s hand giving a blessing.

Treasures of the Church emphasized that the veneration of relics is not an act of worship but a way to honor the saints and seek their intercession through prayers, recognizing their proximity to God.
The relic’s U.S. tour began on Sept. 9. It is the first time the relic has left Italy.

Here is a detailed schedule of the Wichita stops:

Saturday, Nov. 2
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 645 N. 119th St. W.
• Special Mass celebrated in Saint Jude’s honor at noon
• Public veneration of Saint Jude relics begins immediately afterward
• Public veneration ends at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 3
St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon
• Special Mass celebrated in Saint Jude’s honor: 2 p.m.
• Public veneration of Saint Jude relics begins immediately afterward
• Public veneration ends at 8 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 4
Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E 21st St. N.
• Public veneration of Saint Jude relics begins at 2 p.m.
• Special Mass celebrated in Saint Jude’s honor, 7 p.m.
• Public veneration ends at 10 p.m.