Dear Friends of St. Jude Thaddeus,

LENTEN NOVENA

We are here again on another forty days journey of Lent. This is indeed a vital season in our Church's liturgy made for us to sincerely review our lives in the light of the teachings of the Gospel, make penitent and repent of our sins.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday whereby we are encouraged to receive ashes on our foreheads as a token of penitence and mortality. At this special season, let us learn to be on guard, deepen our faith through the reading of scripture, participate actively in the liturgy / persevere to witness to the faith through our commitment in our personal life, perform works of charity and offer our suffering to God.

Nigeria as you well know is facing significant / tremendous challenges. The health condition of our President is of great concern to everyone. Also worrisome is the prevailing issues of constitutional breaches. Let us at this Lent, pray for the good health of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as well as peaceful Democratic government in Nigeria.

It is also pertinent that we use this period, to pray for our brothers and faithful in Haiti. You may recall that Haiti (one of the poorest countries in the world) was recently ravaged by a devastating earthquake, where many lives were lost in the unfortunate incident. This in no doubt has caused serious pains in the lives of many families.

Also to be remembered, are the victims in the recent Jos crisis in Nigeria, where many lives were also lost and a great number displaced. May our Lord through the special intercession of St. Jude continue to bring comfort and love to all these families and continue to grant us his protection.

However, our Lenten Novena shall be preached by Rev. Fr. Avemaria Erhariefe, O.P., a native of Ewu in Ugheli Local Government Area of Delta State. He joined the Dominican Order of the Province of St. Joseph the Worker, where he made his professions at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory (Dominican Institute, Ibadan). Thereafter, he was assigned to St. Thomas Catholic Church Kumasi, Ghana for Pastoral Assistance and also served as the Youth Chaplain.

He is currently the Associate Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Beseasi, Kumasi - Ghana. He has a Bachelor degree in Philosophy and a Master Degree in Theology. He loves counselling people towards their Salvation. We welcome him to St. Dominic's Parish.

Please, remember to complete your petitions online for the Novena Masses or download the form from our website as applicable.

Lastly, I thank you all for your active participation, perseverance and support throughout the duration of our just concluded Golden Jubilee Celebration of St. Jude Apostolate in Nigeria. I am very grateful to you all!.

May this penitential season be for you, a time of authentic conversion and intense knowledge of the mystery of Christ and to bring your families continuous blessings through the special intercession of St. Jude Thaddeus.

St. Jude Thaddeus - Pray for us!

Devotedly yours in Christ,
Rev. Bro. Stephen Lucas, O.P.
SHRINE DIRECTOR