JUDE

[MRCHENN 3663]

JUDE

Written by Vinzant Cardinal Buron, FSSCT

 

A depiction of the first monastery of St. Jude.

 

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PRELUDE

 

Ever since my ordination as a priest of the Canon under the Metropolitan of Providentia, I have been heavily engrossed in the histories and study of the Ruskan Orthodoxy - a practice ingrained in my own heritage, and a practice I intend to reflect as the Bishop of Buron. In my studies, I have found much substance on the namesake of our previous High Pontiff, the Ven. Jude II - that being St. Jude, the patron of monastics. St. Jude was widely known for his monastic endeavors - rejecting the cardinalship offered by High Pontiff Daniel I, in order to devote himself to scholarly work; the man was known for almost never leaving his monastery, and holding visits and confessions from royals and cardinals alike. This story details St. Jude’s monastic pledge, in hopes to educate our Canonist denizens on the meanings of his vows.

 

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A cold air greeted Jude as he entered the cold, stone hallway of the papal basilica of Ex. Sigismund. As he entered the foyer, the humble Bishop paced up the stairs, towards the pontifical meeting room, as he was faced with a small congregation. Seated in the foyer were priests and bishops alike - in the middle stood High Pontiff Daniel I. The tired man began to smile, as he paced forth - his eyebags weary amongst greeting Jude.

 

“I’m glad that you’ve come, faithful Bishop. Please, be seated.” 

 

It was clear that Daniel I began to tire, his state somewhat jaded having only recently dealt with the Aesterwald schism. Motioning to an empty seat near Daniel I, Jude briefly took a step towards the round table. Taking his seat, his inquisitive eye glanced upon the congregation, curious as to the reason for this assembly. Opposite of him sat his formidable friend, Bishop Kristoff. To many, this same individual would posthumously become known as Saint Kristoff. He folded his palm together on the dias, looking towards the High Pontiff as he began to speak.

 

“Through the Laurel of Our Exalted, Our Apolistic Right allows the bestowment of Cardinalship upon those who have contributed most esteemed service to our faith and dogma - to those who devoted their life to the teachings of God.” Daniel I pauses, surveying the congregation of priests and bishops alike. A moment of anticipation seems to hang over the room as the High Pontiff stops there, as he folds his arms behind his back. Slowly, but surely, his gaze turns to the Bishop Jude - Daniel’s fatigued eye setting its target upon him. “Bishop Jude, if you will.”

 

With such a call seemingly out of the blue, Jude was somewhat taken aback - he cleared his throat, looking around in a moment of confusion. “Yes, you. Stand, Bishop Jude.” Daniel I stated once more, a small chuckle emanating from his figure. It was clear he found his reaction somewhat amusing.

Jude stood up swiftly at his call, moving to stand next to the High Pontiff. His glance moved briefly to Bishop Kristoff - that man too chuckled, motioning him to affix his gaze back to Daniel I.

 

“Your service has not gone unnoticed.” Daniel I began. “You have played an integral part in the maintenance and mending of Canonism. Naught a year has gone by, dear Jude, where you have not written scripture to educate the denizens of our faith. And naught a moment goes by where you are not preaching on the streets, or in your monastery. You weep and shed tears for those that have fallen from God’s grace. If anyone is deserving of an elevation to this position, it is you.” Daniel I enclosed his palms together at the table, a gratified look enveloping his countenance. “It is with Our Apolistic Right that We would elevate you to the position of Cardinal within the Canonist church - should you accept, correct?”

 

Somewhat stunned, Jude stood there. Gazing upon the priests amongst them, they all seemed to nod along, satisfied with Daniel I’s affirmation. He sighed for a moment, as a previous decision of his had toyed within his mind for sometime now. Perhaps it was time to enact it. With a brief wave of his hand, he answered. “I’m afraid I cannot, Your Holiness.”

 

“Well, why not, Bishop Jude? You clearly fit this position - you know this to be true yourself.” Remarked the High Pontiff, a vast expression of confusion apparent on his face. He looked around, as if some answer lurked in the shadow.

 

Jude grasped his cross betwixt his fingers, bringing it to his lips. “Your Holiness, for some time now, I have been debating a decision within my own mind. But, the more that I think of it, the more I am resolute in deciding it as my next course of action.” He says, pausing, as he clears his throat. He had made a decision. “I will be taking up robes, Your Holiness. Not of a cardinal, but of an Abbot. It is hereby renounced.” Jude would finish his statement there.

 

Yet another gasp could be heard from the congregation of the conclave, followed by a multitude of ongoing whispers. A decision that no one had predicted. Jude glanced at Kristoff briefly, noticing that the man had been taken aback, his mouth almost falling agape.

 

For a moment, Daniel I looked upon the congregation meekly. Soon enough, the old man too stood, waving a flat palm to the congregation. “Silence.” He’d say, his expression still void of emotion. Whether he was sad, or simply merely confused, no one would tell. “Our dear Jude, if you are staunch in this decision of yours - as you are with most things, then We will not intervene.  We are not sad, because Our dear Jude will continue his personal preaching of the faith. Rather, We are ecstatic, because We know this to be fact: that Jude will continue to excel, as he does at all things.” Daniel I paused, as his remarks settled in, before continuing. “Let all know of Jude’s ultimate sacrifice of worldly titles.” 

 

With that, the High Pontiff dismissed the congregation within the basilica of Ex. Sigismund. As Daniel I bid Jude his exit, all the priests would exit the pontifical room - save for the Bishop Kristoff. He walked forward, meeting Jude at the end of the table.

 

“O’ Jude, harken my words, my dear friend. Will you let this humble Bishop offer his inquiry?” Kristoff spoke, looking to Jude in anticipation.

 

At that, Jude looked upwards from the table, unaware of Kristoff’s presence. “O’ Kristoff. As to Evaristus - you are to me as Clement. Please.” His expression softened, as he motioned him to speak. 

 

“For what reason do you renounce His Holiness’s offer, Jude? Your humility shatters any semblance of pride I ever had, but I fail to understand.” Kristoff inquired.

 

“My wishes, and my devotion lies within scholarly work, Bishop Kristoff, and not that of holding mass. The impact of my word can be better achieved through studying more, and preaching it on the street of our townsfolk. Not in good faith can I take up the mantle of Cardinalis, knowing that I, myself, cannot live up to the duties it entails.” Jude spoke somewhat passionately. “I wish to be a scholar, a writer, a teacher. I must avow all my worldly possessions to God.”

 

With those remarks, Kristoff smiled. “Your words are reciprocated, my friend - but never will I have the same courage as you to do so. Generations will know of your sacrifice, and to not know the story of Jude is to be a fool. God smiles favorably upon His dear servant today.” With that, Bishop Kristoff dipped his head, as he too exited the conclave. Before he left the door, he turned for a brief moment, uttering a few words.

 

“Thank you, my brother Jude.”

 

[_Sug 2556]

[!]

Within the skies sat a man, elderly yet not grey in hair or years whom sat upon a chair a tome in hand and around him several monastics of the fraternal order of SS. Jude and Kristoff. The grouping sat laughing, sipping on fine vintage, and enjoying the company of one another. As the missive was written, Jude paused within the commotion and closed his eyes, smaller pools forming in the corners of such as he took a moment for prayer, dwelling upon the works of the man. Soon, a hand met his shoulder, that of one of the individuals mentioned in the fable as well. Yet another Saintly figure stood before him, and with a brief chuckle, so did they return to their jovial celebrations and debates on simple things whilst enjoying the embrace of GOD, celebrating his glory through mere presence and joy with one another. The group as close as they were in life. The fable of his time on earth, now appreciated in the place he once wept over to obtain.

[JoanOfArc 4586]

An excerpt of letter one-hundred and twenty-seven, a correspondence between Cardinal Providentia and Cardinal Buron

 

"... And personally, while I do find that the woman was quite bizarre, I held my position in calling her a wench. Also, your idea you snatched from me about writing about our patron St. Jude is quite vexing. I was under the assumption I was to write a piece, and you were to read it! Verily, I say, you are a terrible and wicked man! However, as I am a saint myself, I forgive you! -- I am so proud of you, Vinzant. From my acolyte to a Cardinal! The FSSCT brings truly blessed men into the ranks of the Holy Mother Church. However, regarding that wench of a woman, I further called her..."

 

The letter continued on from there, being sent alongside a commentary of the Proverbs of Ex. Godfrey written by St. Jude.

[thesmellypocket 1841]

Shortly after the publishing of Cardinal Buron's dialogue, a prayer card with an image of SS. Kristoff and Jude finds itself posted in many an Orenian household. "Look down from heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley; from that harbour of quietness and tranquillity to this calamitous sea. And now that the darkness of this world hinders no more those benignant eyes of thine from looking clearly into all things, look down and visit, O most diligent keeper, this vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labour, anxiety and peril. To thee then we fly; from thee we seek for aid; to thee we give our whole selves unreservedly. Thee we adopt as our patron and defender; undertake the cause of our salvation, protect thy clients. To thee we appeal as our leader; rule thine army fighting against the assaults of the devil. To thee, kindest of rulers, we give up the rudder of our lives; steer this little ship of thine, and, placed as thou art on high, keep us off all the rocks of evil desires, that with thee for our pilot and guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen." It is published under the name "Traditional Prayer to St. Jude, Attributed to Pius of Sutica, FSSCT. Imprimatur Cardinal Gawain, Bishop of Providentia, FSSCT. 1823."

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by thesmellypocket