On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, and Thursday, February 29, 2024, St. Jude the Apostle's Relic visited Tampa and St. Petersburg for the first time.

St. Jude the Apostle is the patron saint of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Throughout both days, many faithful around the diocese gathered to venerate the relic, pray for the intercession of St. Jude, and join in a special Mass in honor of the patron saint.

“I felt so blessed and honored when I went on Wednesday, that I knew I had to go again,” said Reyes.

On Wednesday, Feb. 28th, the relic was at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa, Over 3,000 pilgrims attended the one-day veneration to see the relic and over 900 individuals attended the special Mass, including Reyes.

“When things became hard in my life again, St. Paul’s was right next to my job, and I would go there to pray and touch the feet of the St. Jude statue there,” Reyes stated. “So, when I heard that his actual relic would be there, I knew that I had to go, pray, and thank him for the multiple intercessions he has done in my life.”

In 2010, Reyes and her family hit a rough patch. She and her husband found themselves jobless, and their home was put up for auction. This led them to turn to the St. Jude novena for his intercession in this time of despair. On the last days of the novena, their home was taken off the auction site, and they both had job interviews lined up, which they later ended up getting.

“I am so grateful for the intercessions of St. Jude during our times of trouble and when we’ve felt hopeless,” Reyes stated. “Being able to touch the relic and thank him for his intercessions gave me goosebumps, made me feel humbled, blessed, and full of hope.”

On Thursday, Feb. 29th, the relic was brought to the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle where over 1,000 gathered for veneration and Mass.

“He has a gift for everyone; I have no idea what it's going to be for you. But you just need to trust me; he cannot give it to you unless you accept it. So, say the words. I accept your gift when you go up and pray,” said Father Carlos Martins, director of Treasures of the Church, during his homily. “He became known as the patron saint of hopeless cases and desperate situations because hopeless cases and desperate situations became his specialty. And people recognize that. The people of God notice that he has such an intimacy with the Lord, dwelling in the very heart of God.”

Reyes stated, “Looking back, you can truly see how he is the patron of difficult and desperate cases. I started crying and felt this sense of relief while praying and thought ‘Nothing is impossible.’ on Wednesday, so I knew I had to go back, pray, and give thanks once more in his presence at the Cathedral.”

The Arm of St. Jude will continue traveling throughout the United States. For more information, you can visit https://apostleoftheimpossible.com

For photos from the venerations and Masses, click below.

Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle

St. Paul Catholic Church, Tampa