The Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus Yoodhapuram under the jurisdiction of His Grace Most. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil, Archbishop of Verapoly.
St. Jude the Apostle was a privileged kith and kin of Jesus Christ our Lord. His intercession has been sought after by many against 'hopeless things.' His cult has been spread over the time to many places and has brought healing to many. His intercession also has helped many to draw close to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master.
St. Jude Shrine Yoodhapuram is situated at Kidangoor, 1.5 Km away from Angamaly town at Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. This area is popularly known as “Yoodhapuram”. In Malayalam ‘Yoodha’ stands for Jude and ‘puram’ means city or land. So the name “Yoodhapuram” signifies the land or city of St. Jude. This name was given by the first priest-in –charge of this shrine, Rev. Fr. Justin Attullil. The Chapel here began with the devotion of St. Jude under the parish of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Koratty, under Archdiocese of Verapoly. The foundation stone was blessed and laid on 26th July 1999 and the shrine was blessed on 13th January of the Jubilee year 2000. Both the events were presided over by the late archbishop of Verapoly Most. Rev. Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil. The holy mass and novena to St. Jude on every Thursday at 4:45 pm and Sunday mass at 6: 30 am began here since the inauguration.
Many faithful devotees share their unique experience of divine healing and testify too many miracles that happen through the intercession of St. Jude here. First Thursday of every month is special with Eucharistic Adoration and procession along with the distribution of 'Nercha Kanji.' It begins at 10:30 am. The blessed coconut oil distributed at the shrine is considered as an effective medicine for various diseases.
Yoodhapuram shrine has a rare privilege among other St. Jude’s shrines, of possessing the Primary relics of St. Jude, the apostle of Jesus. On 1st January 2004, the holy relic of St. Jude was brought here in a procession of vehicles from Archbishop’s house to Yoodhapuram. The reliquary in which this holy relic is preserved is presented by Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil. St. Jude’s chapel was raised to the status of a pilgrim centre in 2005 and thereafter it is under the administration of a Rector. Now St. Jude’s Shrine has a typical design and facility to provide accommodation about 5000 devotees at a time. The construction of this shrine chapel and the altar was started by Rev. Fr. Jolly Thappalodath in 2007. The foundation stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, the then auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Verapoly. The newly built shrine was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Acharuparambil on 15th October 2009.
In 2016, the Divine mercy Church, Tabor, which was under Yoodhapuram church, was blessed by Archbishop Dr. Francis Kallarackal. In 2017, the renovated altar at Yoodhapuram was consecrated by Archbishop Francis Kallarakkal. In 2017, The Divine Mercy Church, Tabor was recognised as Independent Church with a priest-in-Charge, and Fr. Jibin George Mathirapilly was the first priest-in-Charge at Tabor. In 2019 Yoodhapuram alter was raised to the specially privileged Pontifical Alter by Pope Francis, and it was declared by the Archbishop Emeritus Dr. Francis Kallarakkal. In 2019 the new Rectory was blessed by the Vicar Forane.
The shrine undertook a housing project titled 'St. Jude Homes,' a number twenty homes for the homeless, On the occasion of the Twentieth year of Shrine’s Foundation. In 2020 a new Hall and 'Grotto of miracles' (Grotto of Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jude) opened for the public adoration, This is an abode of prayer and grace.
Rev. Fr. Yesudas Pazhampilly, the Rector, Rev. Fr. Joseph Tony Karvalio Muringanath, the vice-Rector and Rev. Fr. Augustine Laiju Kandanattuthara (priest-in-Charge, Tabor) invite all wholeheartedly to the Land of Miracles and shrine to pray and seek the intercession of St. Jude and Blessed Virgin Mary.
May God bless all.
