Comunidade Católica São Judas Tadeu

“A church built on devotion,” whispered a local, gesturing towards Comunidade Católica São Judas Tadeu. Comunidade Católica São Judas Tadeu stands proudly on Rua Cosme Velho. It faces the railway path to Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain. This beautiful architectural complex plays a vital role in the neighborhood’s spiritual life. The modern church has a unique design. Its circular nave sits elevated, flanked by the temple’s other sections. The parish of Comunidade Católica São Judas Tadeu was founded on January 1, 1945. This date coincided with Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Cardinal Dom Jaime de Barros Câmara’s silver jubilee. The parish was carved out from the Nossa Senhora da Glória Parish. Initially, the parish lacked a proper home, despite having Father Luís Gonzaga de Campos Gões as its first priest. Masses were held at Dr. João Xavier de Brito’s house on Rua Schimdt de Vasconcelos. Later, services moved to a small chapel. This chapel was next to a building called Casa do Médico on Rua Cosme Velho, dedicated to Saint Luke. Father Gões inspired the devotees of St. Jude. He successfully raised funds to purchase Casa do Médico. The building was demolished in 1952. Cardinal Jaime de Barros Câmara blessed the foundation stone. The church launched several fundraising campaigns. These were crucial for the construction, which began under Engineer Alberto Woods Soares. Architect Benedito de Jesus Calisto Neto designed the church in 1956. He also designed the Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida in São Paulo. The church is adorned with Italian marble and is a popular place of worship, especially on the feast day of St. Jude on October 28th. Cardinal Jaime de Barros Câmara officially inaugurated the church in 1968. It was consecrated as a sanctuary on August 28, 1985, by Cardinal Dom Eugênio de Araújo Sales. The church can hold 800 worshippers. It offers social and community programs. These programs focus on providing social assistance and religious education to the favelas. Comunidade Católica São Judas Tadeu houses a reliquary. It contains two bone fragments of St. Jude. The reliquary features a cross-shaped, glass-covered top, resembling a monstrance.