The devotion to St. Jude Thaddaeus, was practically unknown in India,
and it was the late Bishop F. X. Fenech who started it in Jhansi,
which was a Prefecture Apostolic in those days.
It was not easy to do especially during the World War II, but
Bishop Fenech was a man of great faith, he made a promise
to St. Jude that if he helped him, he would build a Shrine in
Jhansi in his honour. He made use of the media available, publishing
his intention in the Catholic Herald of England, in the Indian Catholic
Newspaper - The Examiner and so on.
This devotion began to grow and expand like fire. Bishop Fenech,
appointed Brother Seraphim, a very pious and serious religious to
take care of the incoming correspondence and advertisements. This
Brother placed all his time to spread the devotion, through pious
advice, prayers and literature. He dedicated 30 years of his life
to this work, and he used to work at night-time especially during
the time of the Annual Novena. Brother Seraphim could tell from the
address written on the envelope whose letter it was. While the devotion
was growing and the offerings saved for the building, there was one
major problem. Where was St. Jude's Shrine to be built? For many years
there wasn't even a small chapel where his devotees could go and pray.
Finally in 1947 a temporary chapel was built. This was dedicated to
the Immaculate Conception, and a statue of St. Jude was purchased and
installed on the side altar. In 1946 a group of Maltese missionaries
arrived in Jhansi to help in the missionary work. Bishop Fenech,
appointed Rev. Canon John Metcalf as Procurator and Promoter of the
newly established devotion. After four years, Father Publius Cassar
was appointed as Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Church and Procurator.
So he started to use the newly built chapel for St. Jude's devotion.
For convenience sake, he placed St. Jude's statue instead of the statue
of Our Lady and beautified the main altar and the sanctuary, installed
neon lights around the niche of St. Jude, with the words,
"St. Jude Pray For Us."
Bishop Fenech procured many thousands of one-foot size pictures of
St. Jude, which within few years were all disposed off. Father Publius
started to organize the devotion. He compiled the small booklet of
St. Jude, wrote the prayers which are said during the annual Novena;
changed the name of the parish bulletin from "The Voice of the
Shepherd to that of St. Jude," and began to celebrate the feast
of the saint, by nine days' preparation called Novena, which consisted
of morning Mass, praying of the Rosary, the Novena Prayers, followed
by the Sacramental Benediction in the evening since evening Mass was
not allowed then, we used to sing the Hymn to St. Jude, "Apostle of
Jesus" and then the kissing of the Relic. Printed Petition forms
were introduced and sent to devotees. Mass in the morning was also
celebrated. On October 28, St. Jude's Feast day, a Solemn High Mass
was celebrated with beautiful Latin tunes, the main celebrant,
deacon, and acolytes after the singing of the Gospel, the celebrant
used to preach a Homily. A big meal was served to the poor who used
to gather under the verandah of the new building. In the evening, the
military band entertained the big crowd, with their drill and marches
preceding the evening procession with the Relic of St. Jude followed by
Sacramental Benediction and prayers for the sick. Hindus and
Non-Catholics came to witness this annual event drawn also by the
beautiful fire works display. This used to thrill and make so many
people happy. That was the humble beginning of St. Jude's devotion
in Jhansi.
As time and years went on, the need to build a proper shrine was
ever growing. The temporary chapel was too small to accommodate the
people who used to come for this devotion. There were enough funds
to build the Shrine. The problem always arose but where to build it?
The military authorities would not allow another church to be
built in the same locality, but it seemed that St. Jude wanted
to remain in that area. Fortunately it was the last plot touching
civil lines. Through the efforts of Mrs. M. Godinho, Mr. Simon Vaz
and his sister Mary, a big plot of land was purchased touching the
plot, so it was possible to remain in the same area, and the Shrine
to be built on the new plot. Truly St. Jude is the Patron Saint of
the Impossible.
Now it is 35 years, since the Shrine dedicated to him was built.
Good Bishop Fenech saw his dream of Faith rewarded and now from
heaven he continues to bless his former diocese, which with the
continued efforts of his successors, Bishop J. B. Mudhartha, and
now present beloved Bishop Frederick D'Souza is growing. There are
quite a few institutions dedicated to him such as St. Jude's Hospital,
St. Jude's Foundling Home, St. Jude's Vocational Training Centre and
St. Jude's High School at Premnagar. These are the best gifts of
St. Jude to the diocese, besides a good number of diocesan priests,
religious sisters and brothers.
Fr. Publius Cassar
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