An extraordinary event is taking place as the arm of Saint Jude the Apostle—a relic that has remained in Rome for over 1700 years—travels across the United States. 

One pilgrim shared their excitement, saying, “When I found out Saint Jude was here, I couldn’t wait. There are so many people waiting to come in, and it’s wonderful we have this opportunity.” Another pilgrim, deeply moved, reflected, “Saint Jude brought me into the faith and has been a powerful intercessor ever since I learned about him.” One devotee even brought a statue of Saint Jude to touch it to the relic, a deeply personal moment. 

Anthony Di Mauro, journalist and founder of The Relic Project, asked a pilgrim what they hoped to impart to their children from the experience. The pilgrim responded, “I want to teach them about relics and pray for the conversion of family. Saint Jude, as the apostle of the impossible, is a powerful intercessor.” 

For these pilgrims, seeing Saint Jude’s relic is a rare spiritual encounter. While Saint Jude’s tomb lies in the Vatican, these visits allow the faithful a unique closeness with a beloved apostle. 

The Role of Relics: A Pathway to Grace 

Father Carlos Martins, Director of Treasures of the Church, explained the profound purpose of relics: “Relics are a conduit of God’s grace. They perform astounding feats, as saints remain connected with their earthly remains.” Tying this devotion to Scripture, Father Martins emphasized, “Whenever relics are mentioned in Scripture, there is always a healing, achieved through touch—not because relics are magical, but because the entire saint is present in them.” 

At Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Salt Lake City, young and old alike come to witness the presence of this relic, finding their faith awakened in a profound way. 

Father Martins, responsible for extending Saint Jude’s reach through Treasures of the Church, brings the relic as a powerful catechetical tool. “People come for many reasons,” he shared. “Some are lifelong devotees, others are history buffs, and some come with no faith at all, just curious about this tradition.” 

A Forgotten Tradition Revived 

For centuries, relics have played a sacred role in Catholic tradition, but in some places, this devotion has faded. At the Charterhouse of Florence, Don Bernardo, custodian of the relics, showed preserved articles and noted, “Relics were once kept with great honor, but over time, they have been somewhat neglected.” 

To revitalize this tradition, the Vatican issued a 2017 document, Relics in the Church: Authenticity and Preservation, setting out guidelines to: 

Ensure the authenticity of relics through thorough documentation. 

Safeguard relics with proper handling and storage. 

Prohibit the sale of relics to preserve their spiritual integrity. 

Initiatives like The Relic Project aim to bring relics back into the light, reigniting devotion and respect among the faithful. 

A Revival of Faith and Reverence 

The arrival of Saint Jude’s relic in the U.S. has drawn large crowds, underscoring the power of relics to inspire conversions and spiritual renewal. This revival of devotion to sacred relics strengthens the Church and renews faith among its followers. 

Fr. Martins explains, “In baptism, we are born into the communion of saints. We are instantly part of this family.” One pilgrim, seeing the relic for the first time, shared, “As a college student facing stressful times, knowing that Saint Jude is beside me and praying for me is a comfort.” Another remarked, “It’s incredible that this relic hasn’t left the Vatican in 1700 years. Knowing that Saint Jude was a humble person makes his presence here even more powerful.” 

For another pilgrim, a recent convert, this encounter with Saint Jude’s relic was deeply affirming: “Encountering this relic reinforced why I became Catholic and why I love this Church.” 

Anthony di Mauro contributed to this article. 

Adapted by Jacob Stein