Thank You, St. Jude: Women's Devotion to the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes

Robert Orsi examines the devotion to St. Jude among Catholic women in twentieth-century America through historical records and personal interviews. The book focuses on how this previously obscure saint became known as the patron of hopeless causes and gained a massive following, particularly in Chicago. The narrative traces immigrant Catholic women's experiences during the Depression, World War II, and postwar periods through their relationship with St. Jude. Their stories reveal how devotion to this saint intersected with family life, work, urban migration, and changing social conditions. The research draws on letters, church archives, and extensive oral histories from women who maintained decades-long relationships with St. Jude. Orsi documents the growth of the National Shrine of St. Jude on Chicago's South Side and its significance to Catholic immigrants and their descendants. This study illuminates broader themes about American religious practice, gender roles, and the ways individuals navigate personal struggles through faith. The work contributes to understanding how religious devotion functions within everyday life and social transformation.

Readers describe this as a detailed ethnographic study of Italian-American Catholic women's relationship with St. Jude in Chicago from the 1920s-1950s. Readers appreciate: - The personal stories and oral histories - Clear explanations of how devotion to St. Jude spread - The focus on immigrant women's experiences - Analysis of how prayer intersects with family life and gender roles Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Too much theoretical framework - Limited geographic scope (mainly Chicago) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (26 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (8 ratings) Sample review: "Orsi shows how these women used their relationship with St. Jude to navigate difficult circumstances and assert some control over their lives. The individual stories are moving but the academic language can be hard to get through." - Goodreads reviewer "Important research on lived religion, but could be more accessible to general readers." - Amazon reviewer

The Madonna of 115th Street by Robert Orsi This ethnographic study examines Italian immigrant devotion to the Madonna in New York City, revealing connections between religious practices and community identity.

Faithful Revolution: Catholics and the Struggle for Modern America by Leslie Tentler The book traces Catholic women's devotional practices and social activism in twentieth-century America through personal accounts and archival research.

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Faith and Empowerment among Mexican-American Women by Jeanette Rodriguez This work explores Mexican-American women's relationship with Our Lady of Guadalupe through interviews and historical documentation.

Mexican Devotional Art by Gloria Fraser Giffords This examination of retablos and ex-votos illuminates how Mexican Catholics used folk art to express their faith and petition saints for help.

Prayer Has Spoiled Everything: Possession, Power, and Identity in an Islamic Town of Niger by Adeline Masquelier The study documents how women in Niger navigate religious practices and spirit possession within their social and cultural contexts.

🕯️ During the Great Depression, devotion to St. Jude exploded in Chicago, particularly among working-class immigrant women who saw him as someone who understood their struggles and desperation. ⛪ The National Shrine of St. Jude, established in 1929 on the South Side of Chicago, became the epicenter of American devotion to the saint, receiving thousands of letters and petitions daily. 📝 Author Robert Orsi conducted extensive interviews with Italian-American women who maintained devotion to St. Jude, revealing how their religious practices helped them navigate challenging domestic situations and social changes. 🙏 St. Jude became known as the patron saint of hopeless causes not through official church decree, but through grassroots devotion and the spreading of testimonials about answered prayers. 📚 The book breaks new ground in religious studies by examining how women's devotional practices existed both within and outside traditional Catholic Church structures, creating their own spaces of spiritual authority.