St. Paul Center Founder, Dr. Scott Hahn, has written the foreword to a new book on St. Jude.  

"Since I became a Catholic in 1986, I've had a special fondness for Saint Jude," Dr. Hahn writes. "Early in my studies, I discovered that I was born on Jude's feast day, October 28, in 1957. For that reason - and because I've always been a sort of "lost cause" - I believe this Apostle has watched over me with great care."

St. Jude: A Friend in Hard Times (Pauline Books) is written by Michael Aquilina III, the 14-year-old son of St. Paul Center Vice President, Mike Aquilina.

Drawing from Scripture, ancient history, Christian tradition and legend, Michael traces the life of one of the most popular saints of all times in a book written for young people ages 9-14.

Aquilina's own interest in St. Jude began when he was seven years-old and having computer problems. "It was actually a hard-disk crash on a really old computer," Michael told Catholic News Service recently. At a friend's church, he discovered a St. Jude prayer card and began praying for the saint's intercession. A few days later Michael found the software that solved the problem. He was convinced that St. Jude, the patron of lost causes, had a hand to play in fixing his computer. "I guess that's what started my devotion to St. Jude," he said.

Dr. Hahn's foreword follows: 

The first time Michael Aquilina III visited my home, he must have been nine years old. He came to play with my sons, Jeremiah and Joseph, but he detoured through my book-lined office. He looked up at the rows of towering shelves and turned to me without hesitation, saying: "You should write a book about Saint Jude." It wasn't a request; it was a statement. And he repeated it on several other visits.

As a father of six, I've learned to be open to the Holy Spirit speaking through the mouths of children. I knew, however, that a book on Saint Jude was not in my near future, as I was already under contract to write several other books. So I told Michael:"I think God has placed that wish in your heart so that you might write the book."

That was the last I heard of the Saint Jude book - until, years later, when I received Michael's finished manuscript in my mailbox, along with a gracious invitation to write some words of introduction. I'm pleased to comply.

Since I became a Catholic in 1986, I've had a great fondness for Saint Jude. Early in my studies, I discovered that I was born on Jude's feast day, October 28, in 1957. For that reason - and because I've always been a sort of "lost cause" - I believe this Apostle has watched over me with great care.

Like Michael Aquilina, I hope that many, many people will come to know Saint Jude's watchful care and his mighty prayer before the throne of God. The last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, shows us twice that Saint Jude holds a prominent place in heaven. God has blessed Jude as an Apostle, and so his name is on one of the twelve foundation stones of the heavenly Jerusalem (see Rev 21:18). As a martyr, too, Jude raises a powerful prayer, fully aware of what is happening in our lives on earth (see Rev 6:9-10). Even now, Saint Jude is very much with us, in that "great cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1), the communion of saints.

Michael Aquilina has written a book I could not have written, even though I am a teacher of theology. For every book of devotion is a special grace from God. My own books are God's gifts to me and my readers; this book is God's gift to Michael and his readers, among whom I am proud to be the first.

Read on, then, and walk the roads of life with Saint Jude. May the Apostle lead you without delay to share in the friendship and close family bond that he himself shared with Jesus.

Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times
Pauline Books & Media
78 pages
$14.95