Merciful Miracles

Bright were the lights that night,
Blinded me with green eyes,
As I turned, clarity metamorphosized,
Into a second’s silent void
until too late I saw,
the metal shadow loom upon me,
Sickened. Slammed. Screamed.
Time was fractured, hung in white,
With only space to call
My God! My God! My God!
In that fragmented moment,
that pitched me headlong,
into a macabre magnitude.

The unnatural days that followed,
Preyed on my mind and heart,
Magnified every sound into sirens,
Cast a sinister veil upon the familiar,
making tables, chairs, vases
Appear with silent sullenness,
To bump a newly clumsy me.
Doorbells rang with raucous laughter,
To rake out the painful breath,
Out of my mottled chest.
Sleep stolen from my nights,
When dreadful dreams choked,
Me with invisible coils of livid red.

The Fear feasted on me, inside out,
Pecked out calm and courage,
Leaving weeping wounds of worry,
Shrunk me to the smallest heap,
Of skin and bones and remnant hair,
That hung dry on tattered hope,
With glands so parched they sucked,
Every emergent tear and night sweats,
Until drained of blood, water and tears,
I crumbled to the fathomless deep,
where groping in the dark I found,
a hand with a hole in the palm
that lent an easy and tender hold.

Through heavy-laden lids I discern,
A luminous light flowing through the hole,
Casting a growing warmth upon my face,
Like an open fire on grateful hearts,
Returning from a long wintry walk.
As hardened clumps of ice began to melt,
A river trickled across thawing cheeks,
Dark tears of fear and despair,
Now tasted sweet upon my lips,
Through newly sighted eyes I see,
Three figures surrounding me
My Lord, Our Mother and St Jude,
Pouring a salve upon my sickened soul,
Made of Grace, Help and Protection,
Exorcising the turntable of terror,
That had been replaying in a loop.

Freed. Saved. Revived,
I heard Him call me by name,
To face all fear to feed my faith,
Turn histrionics into hope.
For blinded before I failed to know,
My Lord God He had answered me,
That very moment when I called.
He laid kindly hands along the path,
Placed compassion above judgement,
Forgiveness and Mercy I received,
Only Love and Grace upon my face,
My God. My God. My God,
Here I am.
Rested at your feet,
Grateful and at peace,
That your constant Love,
Is always here with me.

Most Holy Apostle, St Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the church recognizes and invokes you universally as the Patron of difficult cases and things almost despaired of.

Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Intercede for me to our Almighty God so that He brings visible and speedy help when help is almost despaired of.

Come to my assistance in this great need, that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven, in all my necessities, tribulations, sufferings, particularly (make your request here) …that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever.

I promise, O Blessed St Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favour granted to me by God, and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

Our Father
Our father in Heaven,
Holy be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily Bread,
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of Grace
The Lord is with You
Blessed are you amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now,
And at the hour of our need.

Amen.

May the most sacred Heart of Jesus
be adored and loved in all tabernacles until the end of time.

Amen

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus
be praised and glorified now and forever.

Amen

Most Holy and powerful Protector,
St JUDE, PRAY FOR US AND HEAR OUR PRAYERS
(state your personal prayer and petitions here)

Amen.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed be St Jude Thaddeus,
In all the world and for all eternity.