The arm of Saint Jude the Apostle, a sacred relic from the Vatican, will be at two sites in the Diocese of Pittsburgh for public veneration. The 100-city U.S. tour is the first time the relic has left Italy.
“We are truly blessed to be one of the cities where people may pray for the intercession of Saint Jude in the presence of his relic,” said Bishop David Zubik.
“Saint Jude is known as the ‘Apostle of the Impossible’ and we welcome this outreach by our worldwide Church to bring comfort, hope and healing to all.”
The relic, encased in a wooden reliquary shaped as an arm imparting a blessing, is accompanied by a well-known Vatican official, Father Carlos Martins, the Vatican’s director of Treasures of the Church.
Saint Jude, also known as Thaddaeus, was one of the 12 apostles and a cousin of Jesus. Saint Jude was martyred while preaching across the Middle East with Saint Simon the Zealot. He became the patron saint of hopeless causes, in part because pilgrims at his tomb in the Basilica of Saint Peter reported powerful responses to their prayers.
The Vatican stresses that veneration of saints is not a form of worship, but a way to honor and draw near to exemplars of holiness. Petitioners ask for their prayers since they are with God.
Long lines and standing-room-only crowds were reported by other cities on the tour. Police in both Pittsburgh locations will assist with traffic.