Everyone Needs a Will

By remembering the National Shrine of St. Jude in your Will, you will continue to live on through the lives of the many men, women and children helped by your generosity. What a wonderful tribute to you!

The most practical way to make a gift may be through your estate plan, by means of a Will, Living Trust or Beneficiary Designation on a life insurance policy or retirement account. A valid Will is a document written and executed in accordance with formalities prescribed by your state laws. It is, therefore, recommended that you secure the assistance of a competent attorney licensed in the state where you reside.

Dangers of Not Having a Will

If you die without a Will (intestate), your assets will be distributed according to state law. The result may be quite different from what you want and exclude provisions for those you would like to help most. The state will distribute your assets according to a rigid, unchangeable legal formula without regard for family, cherished friends and charitable organizations, such as the National Shrine of St. Jude.

Without a Will, the state assigns an executor, who will administer your estate. The courts will appoint a guardian to care for your legal dependent(s).

Benefits of Having a Will

• You can give vitally needed support to the National Shrine of St. Jude and receive satisfaction for your generosity.
• You can make special financial arrangements for loved ones who are minors, disabled, or unfamiliar with money management.
• You can name a suitable guardian (if needed) for your legal dependents.
• You take control of your estate for the benefit of your heirs rather than giving power to the state.
• You can select an executor (personal representative) to settle your estate according to your wishes.

Your generosity can create a beautiful legacy that will help support:

• devotion to St. Jude.
• preservation of the Shrine.
• missionary work with the underprivileged.
• education for seminarians.
• guidance to inner-city youth.
• affordable housing for seniors.

Bequest Language

If you are considering the National Shrine of St. Jude in your Will, you may use the following suggested bequest language:

“I give and bequeath to the NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. JUDE, under the direction of the Claretians’ St. Jude League, (an Illinois 501(c)(3) not for profit) the sum of $________ for its general charitable purposes.“

Business Office Address:

National Shrine of St. Jude

St. Jude League of the Claretian Missionaries

205 West Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60606

The St. Jude League is tax exempt by virtue of a group ruling issued by the United States Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, with respect to the tax status of organization listed in the Official Catholic Directory under Claretian Missionaries.