Living Hope Newsletter – Spring 2025

1K8A2666 Small

A Sacred Place of Hope

This year marks a special moment in the life of the National Shrine of St. Jude. Longstanding, beloved director Claretian Fr. Mark Brummel is in his next chapter in pastoral retirement. The change ushers in a new scenario for Shrine leadership, a leadership  partnership with two new co-directors sharing their excitement and energy in this sacred space of devotional prayer.

Claretian Frs. Byron Macias and Agustin Carrillo bring many years of education and service with them to their shared post—and each their own lifelong ties to the Shrine. Above all, they bring personal devotion, a deeply held faith, and hope in St. Jude to their ministry. “I anticipate that our shared mission will reflect the Claretian Missionary charism of doing with others what can’t be accomplished alone,” says Fr. Byron.

Fr. Byron connected with the Shrine at a young age, when his mother sought out the Shrine just after the family emigrated to Chicago from Ecuador. “We always prayed Novenas, ever since I can remember,” he says. “My mother wanted to find a Shrine of St. Jude to ask for his help and protection when we moved here. Little did I know that twenty years later, I would be on the other side of the altar of St. Jude!”

Fr. Byron now holds a master’s in Liturgical Arts, Digital Storytelling, and Theological Studies. “As a believer, it is a dream come true to be so close to an actual relic of St. Jude’s physical body.”

Google Image Ad4 CROPPED

For Fr. Agustin, his ministry at the Shrine is also, quite literally, a homecoming. The 37-year-old Mexican-American grew up attending Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which houses the Shrine of St. Jude. He was inspired by the Claretians in his parish, and after graduating from college, he answered the spiritual call to become a Claretian Missionary.

Since then, he has obtained two master’s degrees, in divinity and theology. He is now vocation director of the Claretian USA–Canada Province, along with co-directing the Shrine with Fr. Byron. He finds it especially meaningful to witness devotees “on their journey in discovering who God is and who they are, together as a people of hope.”

When asked to describe the Shrine, Fr. Agustin says, “The one word that comes to mind is home. Our Lady of Guadalupe is my home parish, where we attended mass as a family and where I discovered my vocation.” It also is a place of comfort for him, because of the Blessed Mother’s presence through the parish church. “Home is where Mom is, because Our Lady of Guadalupe is truly my mother, our mother.”

“Home also includes the presence of family members, and the relic of St. Jude is a reminder of family and the communion of saints,” he says.

1K8A2832 Enhanced NR

Special Connections with St. Jude

With such personal histories related to the Shrine, both directors have their own treasured memories here that they hold close as a part of their spiritual journeys.

As a child, Fr. Agustin remembers being mesmerized by the stained-glass windows at the Shrine and the stories conveyed through these images. The stained-glass windows depict the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego, as well as the life of St. Jude. “Yet now, as an adult,” he says, “I feel that same awe and wonder. It is a connection to the past and yet a reminder of holiness that transcends time.”

He also recalls the Feast of St. Jude every October 28th, witnessing the annual procession around the neighborhood with the relic of St. Jude. “It was an event of great unity,” he says, “and I was humbled to see people of various backgrounds and life experiences walking together and sharing in festive joy. Moments like these are glimpses of what should and can be when we walk together.”

Fr. Byron holds the Vigil Light room especially close to his heart. He is touched by the stories behind the candles as they are lit in prayer. “Each candle holds a sacred story, a hope, a wish, a pain.

“I am so grateful people know that there is place for them, for all, here at the Shrine of St. Jude,” he says.

AgustinConference

Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has dubbed the 2025 Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church as “Pilgrims of Hope.” He says that during this year, any pilgrimage to a holy place will bring spiritual good to all. Both Frs. Byron and Agustin enjoy welcoming devotees to the Shrine throughout this year, their first at the Shrine.

“The National Shrine of St. Jude is indeed a holy place,” says Fr. Byron. “We have a first-class relic of St. Jude, after all!” He finds that a visit to the Shrine “awakens and reinvigorates the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

“Just before Christmas last year, I received a call from a woman who said her son had asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She wanted a trip to South Chicago to visit the Shrine. So they came on December 26th! She said to me: ‘I don’t want to die without thanking St. Jude personally for all he has helped me make it through.’”

Fr. Agustin considers pilgrimage to the Shrine an act of great hope. “Whenever we travel beyond our comfort zone and encounter others on the journey,” he says, “we are reminded of the various ways in which God is in our midst, even as we grieve and are in pain.”

He would like to bring a greater awareness of the Shrine as a site of pilgrimage and promote devotion to St. Jude. While developing vocations at various conferences, he shares about the ministry of the Shrine and St. Jude League. He plans to travel with a relic of St. Jude to lead Novena services that will allow people to personally bring their intentions and needs to St. Jude.

Together with their fellow Claretians, the directors are hopeful about the growing devotion to St. Jude that they are shepherding at the Shrine. “I hope that all who are reading this remember that we are praying for you and that your petitions are sacred,” says Fr. Byron. “Your prayers and generosity bring hope, salvation, and help to thousands of people around the world.”