National Shrine of Saint Jude (England)

The Carmelite friars took on the care of the Faversham parish in 1926 and acquired a building on Tanners Street, developing it as a church by 1937. The shrine of Saint Jude was built later, in 1955.[2]

On 28 October 1955, the Bishop of Southwark Cyril Cowderoy, with the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, the Prior of Aylesford, and many other priests and friars, dedicated the Shrine. Bishop Cyril described the place as "a jewel for the diocese".[2]

Since the 1950s thousands of pilgrims have come to Faversham from all over the world to visit and pray at the little shrine to Saint Jude. It is not a particularly large building, but it has become special to the many visiting pilgrims.

The site includes the Faversham parish, which was founded in 1926 and developed as a church by 1937, with the shrine of Saint Jude following in 1955.

Attached to the Shrine is an office, information centre, and welcome centre which serve the many pilgrims who visit, write, or send in their prayers.[3] The venue also holds the distribution office for St Albert's Press (which is the publishing arm of the British Province of Carmelites).[4]

St Simon Stock

The corridor between the church and shrine has a number of stained glass windows by the artist Richard Joseph King (1907–74), depicting important figures in the tradition of the Carmelite Order. First is the window of Saint Simon Stock (pictured). He was a Kentish man who became Prior General of the Order in the 1250s and who died in Bordeaux, France, in 1265.[5] The other windows are of Saint Brocard, the prophet Elisha and the prophet Elijah.[6]

The statue of the Apostle Jude in the Inner Shrine beyond the Shrine Chapel is the work of art which most focuses pilgrims' devotion.

The statue is fifteenth century gilt and polychrome wood, and was a gift from Mr & Mrs Murphy, given in memory of their sons Matthew and Michael both of whom died in action in the Second World War.

The Shrine, the mosaic apse, ironwork and exterior frieze in mosaic were designed by Michael Leigh A.R.C.A., who worked on various churches and some of the mosaics in Westminster Cathedral.

The reliquary which stands in the inner shrine is called the Augsberg Reliquary, and is a modern copy of a silver monstrance from 1547. The reliquary has been modified to display the relic, a bone fragment of Saint Jude.[7]

Finally, there are three designs from the eminent artist Adam Kossowski. In the entrance to the church and the shrine are holy water stoops by him, and there are also three ceramic plaques by him.

Guild membership badge

The Guild of Saint Jude was founded in 2014. It was set up to promote the love of God by fostering devotion to his Apostle Saint Jude; for members to be able to support and share in the mission of the Carmelite Family by prayer and material resources; and to raise awareness and encourage pilgrimages to the National Shrine.[12]

Members:

• share in the daily Masses at the Shrine
• share in special Masses offered for them and their families each quarter
• join the Shrine in daily prayers throughout the year
• receive a handbook of devotions
• receive a Guild of Saint Jude badge
• receive an annual Guild magazine and quarterly Carmelite News
• are invited to the annual Guild talk at the Feast of Saint Jude.

Statue of the Infant of Prague

Before the Second World War, three ‘Societies of Prayer’ were established, for Saint Jude, the Infant Jesus and the Little Flower. The Societies are a very popular way for people to express their faith, participate in the Carmelite devotions, and support the ministry of the Shrine.[13]

Members of each Society are enrolled for a year, and a Mass is celebrated every month for their spiritual and temporal welfare. People can choose to join themselves or can add others. There is no set fee, but a donation of £1 (or more) per person is suggested.

The Society of the Infant Jesus is affiliated to the Shrine of the Infant Jesus cared for by the Discalced Carmelite brothers in Prague, where the original statue of Jesus has been revered since the 17th century.

The Society of the Little Flower at Faversham is distinct from and considerably pre-dates the Society of the Little Flower which is based in Horsham and operated by the Curia of the Carmelite Order. It is named after Thérèse of Lisieux.

These societies are separate from the Guild of Saint Jude.

Two major events occur at the Shrine during the year:[14]

• Summer Celebration (end of May)
• Feast of Saint Jude (October)

The National Shrine of Saint Jude is a member of:

• Churches Visitor and Tourism Association
• Faversham Area Tourism Association
• Green Pilgrimage Network

The Shrine produces the Carmelite News four times a year. The newsletter updates subscribers on the British Province of the Carmelites and the shrine. The newsletter is sent to thousands of people across Britain, Ireland and worldwide.[15][16]

• National Shrine of Saint Jude
• News Blog
• Facebook group
• Groupspaces account