October 3, 2025— Celebrations of Mission
Each year on October 28th, devotees of St. Jude join together to celebrate the blessings, inspiration, and hope they receive from St. Jude. At the National Shrine of St. Jude in Chicago — founded by the Claretians in 1929 — thousands of faithful will come together to honor this beloved saint through Mass, novenas, and prayer. St. Jude the Apostle, the patron saint of hope and desperate causes, is turned to in times of crisis and in humble gratitude for our blessings.
The Feast of St. Jude is more than a date on the liturgical calendar. It is a reminder that God’s hope is always present, even in our darkest struggles. For generations, people have turned to St. Jude in times of illness, financial hardship, family conflict, and personal trial — and found comfort, strength, and renewal through his intercession.
The Claretians have long carried this devotion forward, spreading St. Jude’s message of hope far beyond the Shrine’s walls. That mission of hope is not just spiritual, but also practical — reaching into neighborhoods and communities through ministries of education, health, youth empowerment, and support for migrants. In fact, October also marks the Feast Day for the congregation’s founder St. Anthony Mary Claret’s Feast Day on October 24th!
Founded in Spain by St. Anthony Mary Claret in 1849, the Claretian Missionaries first came to the United States in 1902 and began ministering to Mexican immigrants in California, Texas, Arizona, and Illinois. In 1953, the Claretians established a presence in Quebec, Canada. Worldwide, you’ll find Claretians serving in 72 countries on six continents.
Always responding to the needs of the community, Claretian Missionaries give meaning and life to the Word of God in a variety of ministries that emulate St. Anthony Claret, whose tireless work touched people marginalized and in need, too often overlooked. Within the communities the missionaries serve, the Claretian Community Impact (CCI) ministry continues the legacy of the congregation’s founder. Just as the he brought love, restored dignity and advocated for social justice in his work, the programs of CCI bring hope to communities facing urgent needs today. The programs supported by CCI also embody the same spirit of compassion and resilience that St. Jude represents — transforming prayer into action, and devotion into development.
On these Feast Days of St. Jude and St. Anthony Mary Claret, we are reminded that hope and love are not passive. We are moved to act, to serve, and to walk alongside those most in need. CCI exists as an extension of this call, ensuring that the devotion to St. Jude and example of St. Anthony Claret is alive in real and tangible ways.
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Jude at the National Shrine and honor the Feast of St. Claret, we recommit ourselves to carrying hope into the world. Through Claretian Community Impact, the Claretians continue to live the call of these two great saints: to build communities of faith, hope, and justice.
