I celebrate my birthday on the same day as the Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus, who is known as the patron saint for those facing desperate and hopeless situations. Each year on October 28th, which also marks the anniversary of the saint’s death, I have made it a personal tradition to attend the Feast Novena Mass at the National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus. This significant place of worship is situated in San Miguel, Manila, close to Malacañan Palace, the official residence and office of the President of the Philippines.

Potentially the first church in the Philippines dedicated to the Archangel, San Miguel de Manila was established by the Jesuits in the 1620s in the area known as Dilao, presently called Paco, Manila. This parish is focused on the archangels, particularly Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael. Officially now known as the Royal Parish and National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels, it has been relocated to the intersection of Jose Laurel Street and General Solano Street in the San Miguel district since 1835.