A True Story About St. Jude

As related by Norma DiCocco

Over forty-five years ago, the DiCocco Family St. Jude Shop did not exist. My husband, Lou, worked as a civil engineer, supporting me and our four wonderful sons: Robert, Mark, Gregory, and Louis.

One day I received the good news that I was expecting another child. Of course, after four boys, it seemed impossible to me that I would have a daughter! But, we really did hope for a girl. I began to pray each day to St. Jude. Why? Because Jude is known as the “Saint of the Impossible.” My petition was that, if I had a girl, I would name her Judy in his honor.

Well, the “impossible” can come true. My daughter Judy arrived – three weeks late. She was born on October 28. That day is, in fact, the feast day of St. Jude! Imagine the extraordinary emotions we felt.

More than a year later, my husband and I started planning our new business venture. In thinking of that first store, we decided to put everything in the hands of St. Jude, who had been so good to us. We named the store in his honor, and we opened on his feast day at 21 Brookline Blvd., Havertown, Pa.

Through the years, we’ve added other branches of our stores: Northeast Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Center City Philadelphia, Malvern, Pa., Somerville and Cherry Hill, New Jersey – and always opened each one on October 28. Now we’re online with THREE websites: www.StJudeShop.com, www.GiftswithLove.com and www.StJudeLiturgicalArts.com. These sites, too, opened by “going live” on St. Jude’s day!

I hope that you will find many inspirational and uplifting items here to help you create a chapel in your heart!