Having been raised during the 1950's and 60's, some of my most vivid memories are of my religious upbringing. The Mass was said in Latin. I will never forget the music we grew up with, accompanied by the sound of the huge organ above us in the balcony, vibrating off the walls of the church.
Another part of this memory was the Novena, which many people attended for almost every plight. We were always asked to attend certain Novenas with a family member. We would attend with my grandmother. She had trouble walking the short block to the church, but always wanted to walk, arm in arm with a grandson. We also had an aunt, who always wanted to attend but didn't like going by herself. Mom went also, but to us she would just say, "There's a Novena starting this Monday. It would be nice if you attended." We never refused any of them.
Mom's Patron Saint was St. Jude. She always looked to him whenever someone was ill, out of work, or just plain out of luck. I cannot remember her ever missing a Novena in his honor. We also accompanied her whenever she wanted to visit St. Jude's Church on Broadway near downtown Paterson, N.J. She would just walk into the church, light a few candles in honor of someone deceased, ill, or in need, then sit or kneel in a pew for awhile. Then before leaving, a quick visit to the gift shop to the right of the church. While sitting there, or driving home, she would say, "remember......pray for guidence. Your prayers will be answered." Another favorite response was "have faith."
She always wanted a shrine built in front of the house, and would always remind us in one way or another. This page is dedicated to her, for her Patron St. Jude.
