On Saturday 27 May Carmelite friars and friends of Saint Jude gathered for our first Summer Celebration since the outbreak of Covid. It was good to be in the company of good people who had come on pilgrimage for prayer and fellowship in honour of this great saint.
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Brendan Grady, O.Carm and he was joined during the day by, our Shrine Chaplain, Br. Paul de Groot, O.Carm; the Prior of Faversham, Fr. Kevin Melody, O.Carm; and Province historian, Fr. Richard Copsey, O.Carm; plus from the Reading community: Br. Matthew Janvier, O.Carm and Br. Anthony O’Donnell, O.Carm.
Pilgrims were anointed and commissioned to become ambassadors of hope, friends of Christ and companions of each other in the mission of making God’s love known and experienced in our world.
We prayed for all devotees of Saint Jude, especially remembering those who receive our newsletter and contribute to the life-giving projects supported by the Carmelites at home and abroad.
It was a wonderful sunny day filled with hope and joy.
Many thanks to the Shrine Office team: Matt, Nic, Sarah, Morris and Rebecca for all they did in the run up, during and afterwards. Thanks too to John Toryusen who helped us so much before the event and then during – taking photos and managing the speakers, microphones and beautiful music. Finally, thanks to Fr. Brendan, Fr. Kevin, Br. Paul, Fr. Richard, Br. Tony, and Br. Matt for all their support and prayers throughout the day.
Saint Jude, pray for us!
Images from the day can be seen on Flickr.
