Director’s Letter

Dear Friends,

The Church asks us to live through Lent for one reason – so that we can be led to Easter. In other words, Lent is a season for hope. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ helps us to believe through tough times, and also gives us a magnificent reason to celebrate – for 50 days, 10 days longer than Lent!

Brother Raphael Arteaga, O.P. is a great example of how God continually renews our hope. He was recently ordained to the diaconate, and in this newsletter writes about his years of formation, and how he approaches looking forward to many years of fruitful priesthood. We know that God is constantly calling new men to serve Him – please pray for him and all of our brothers in formation. Each generation carries the torch of Christian faith, and I hope that you will enjoy hearing from him in his own voice.

How could we forget our namesake, St. Jude! One of our staff writers has contributed a short reflection on St. Jude and the virtue of hope. Hope is what helps us to weather the difficulties of life, and we know that we can depend on all our great saints to intercede on our behalf, whenever we feel the need for more of it. I encourage you to keep praying at all times, even in small ways, ‘step by step,’ as the little article says.

As we transition into and out of the Easter season, keep hope in your heart. God has you in His hand, and wants to show you his faithfulness and love. Listen for his voice, and continue to pray with child-like trust and love. You certainly will not regret it.

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Saint Jude Messenger!

In Christ, Our Lady, and St. Jude,

Father John Paul Kern, O.P.
Director, The Rosary Shrine of Saint Jude